Draxo | “VISA” Sits On the Forefront of Contemporary Excellence
In the colorful and youthful world of Draxo, there’s a sentiment shared between many new age Artists; the refusal to adhere to traditionalism in HipHop. As the Industry journeys through the evolution and acceptance of New Wave and Alternative Rap, Artists dedicated to groove, vibe, and triplet rhythms have begun to emerge in hordes. So how does one create metrics for sonic performances that utilize flow and energy over narratives and lengthy punchlines, and how do you measure success in this emerging field? Draxo responds triumphantly with a pointblank attack on the old morals of a changing industry and art form: “I’m here to deliver f**king fun”. If your shoulders move, you lose the game. That’s the challenge on Draxo’s late 2018 release “VISA,” and personally, I lost almost immediately.
“They think that they slick… but look at the way I DEMOLISH them”
The gray and “pessimism” days of gridiron HipHop have been favorably exchanged for vibrant new horizons with Artists locked in for the mission of being the most bop-able, most eccentric, most true to themselves they can be on any Record. VISA is an immediate staple to understanding the mindset and artisanal dispositions of our young emerging Artists. Draxo is the middle ground of two worlds. One foot set in becoming another Trap/New Wave Empressario, bouncing effortlessly with repetition utilizing money-talk bars for a virus of a hook over the production of contemporary Producer FlyMelodies, who crafts similar sonics on VISA as his other credits, Lil Skies, Fetty Wap, Jay Critch, and Quando Rondo. His other foot lies in the realm of refusing to live up to the Old-Head created identify of non lyrical new rappers, and although Draxo doesn’t follow the traditional way of bar and punchline delivery, he opts for a much less technical, but effortless metaphor and simile utilization referencing Pop Culture, Dragon Ball Z, and increasingly creative wordplay used to inform you you’re really not making enough money.
“Look at these kicks… look at the way that I walk in them”
Success in New Wave is in illustrating you’re more you than someone else is them. Personal success isn’t distant for any age of Musicianship. It’s the ultimate boast, that you can retain your original character while living as or aspiring to be iconic. Southside Richmond, Virginia native Draxo refuses to be anyone else, an animated and excitable character with oozing confidence that could soak through the thickest designer apparel. There’s no question Draxo isn’t seeking to preach or teach. He wants you to dance. In the age of trauma and trouble, he stands as a bastion of non message enjoyment. You don’t aways need to preach to make valuable music. If you can provide a platform of pure enjoyment and rhythm, you can allow your listeners to disassociate from their tribulations. As a rap purist, one must recognize there’s nothing to learn here except how to catch the inevitable twerk thrown your way when the Record drops at the club. Why try to search for deeper music when Draxo’s surface level is as entertaining and enjoyable as you’d ever need? This isn’t baseless music. It’s fun. Some of us have forgotten how to have that.
The bounce of tonic 808s hands Draxo’s skillfully reductive performance on a silver plater. Engineered by prominent content creator and Engineer MixedbyKada, multiple beat breaks, filter effects, and stylistic instrumental and vocal chopping give a modern spin to what the “bop” really is, a terminology reserved for tracks that insist upon themselves that they’re best enjoyed when you give up your inhibitions. For music that derives from mood and rhythm exclusively, Draxo makes sure to retain attention with garish adlibs reminiscent of the late XXXtentacion and early Lil Uzi Vert records. These probably inspirations act as pillars for Draxo who follows in their footsteps of providing content that only requires a willingness to discard necessity for some storyline or obsessive lyrical ego. Refusing to stand in anyone’s shadow however, he expands on the thematic concepts of New Wave music with his own character and very unique drawl and vocal patterns. As one goes through the Record, the real questions becomes “How could I pretend I’m not dancing to this?”.
You can find Draxo’s hit ‘VISA’ below and make sure to visit his other Records for a truly and purely fun time.
