Mocha Mustafa, an independent hip-hop artist from the East Bay of California, is eagerly adding himself the ever growing school of Jackboys influenced style. With clear and avowed inspiration coming from modern hip-hop stars like Travis, Kanye, and even Jack Harlow, Mustafa in his short three track EP brings a host of modern production style, autotuned vocal performances, and atmospheric soundscapes that sound well in line with what mainstream hip-hop today finds itself in. Recorded in a bedroom studio at his parent’s house, Mustafa’s years of practice has taught him how to create music that sounds professionally mastered despite his lack of label backing.
Self described as ‘feeling over logic’, Mustafa’s music is indeed all about the vibe, the feeling, and the energy he exudes with his beats and delivery more than his words themselves. The Travis Scott & Don Toliver influence comes out strongest on track two, ‘Frank’s Crib’. The opening flow on this track, heavily inspired by ‘Can’t Say’ sounds straight out of a Jackboys album. The song serves as an introspection for Mustafa, chronicling his journey to getting an offer letter for an amazing engineering job that left him strangely unsatisfied.
‘She Kept It Real’, the longest piece on the album is Mustafa’s take on an emo-rap ballad, an exceptionally nocturnal and melancholic autotune atmospheric piece that’s perfect for late nights. The lyrics, which speak to Mustafa understanding his own misgivings and wrongdoings during a past relationship, leading to an ego death that was hurtful but necessary. The titular track, ‘Wholehearted’, is all about being yourself regardless of what others think and believe.
If you’re a fan of trap, particularly the more slowed, nocturnal, and reverbed style pioneered by Travis Scott and his label, Mustafa’s latest album is for you. Late night autotuned hip-hop done right.
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