BLVNTD | ‘BLVNTD EP’, So New York
New York native BLVNTD pushes the boundaries of Hip-Hop with his trendsetting BLVNTD EP, released on June 27. He hits us with a high-energy mix of styles and follows up his big 2019 single ‘Packup’, featuring Lil Fendi and Jay Bandz, with ‘Packup 2’, a solo undertaking. The track ‘Bankroll’ is a deep message in the form of a banger. In his Rap Fiesta interview, we learned his approach to the record, “I’ve been trying to find a sound that stands out for me for a while so my inspiration is stepping outside of my comfort zone.” BLVNTD makes that clear in ‘Bankroll’ where he kills the verse, then switches up to a melodic hook:
I feel better with a Bankroll,
Bro trust me, the block is hot, it’s better if you lay low,
I was up trappin’ for a week in the same clothes,
Me and you don’t got the same goals.
This song is about triumph and the trenches; A reflection on BLVNTD’s past spent constantly grinding to become who he is. The hook has bounce and the flow is melodic, but the message is consistent and deep, “Who you around? Just know you as strong as the weakest.” When obstacles are in your environment, they surround you; But in ‘Bankroll’ BLVNTD raps about how he dubbed all that to be successful. For him it was about the mindset, “I was outside trying to get it in the rain, snow.” The Bronx rapper told Rap Fiesta he’s had a big vision from the start, “My stage name is an acronym that means ‘Believe (BLV) In (N) The (T) Dream (D)’, BLVNTD. Planning on doing major shows and events in the future with my team ThiiirdDivision.”
Each track on the BLVNTD EP is different from the next, and they all go hard. BLVNTD keeps switching it up and keeps the energy high, and it makes the whole EP entertaining to listen to. The first track, ‘CD’, runs longest and has a beat that sounds like bubble-gum pop, trap, Middle Eastern, and 8-bit music all in one. ‘Pack Up 2’ has BLVNTD singing on a Brooklyn drill beat reminiscent of Pop Smoke’s ‘Dior’. ‘Digital’ is a hard trap banger that’s pure energy from beginning to end. You can find a bit of everything on this album. At the end of every track, they let the beat run because BLVNTD bodies every beat. Numerous producers have worked on this album, which features five songs running for just over 13 minutes.
The BLVNTD EP released June 27, 2020 is available on all major streaming platforms and now available on SoundCloud. Be sure to follow BLVNTD on Instagram here.
Listen to the BLVNTD EP below:
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