A South London rapper known for his transatlantic influences and street-smart style, GRIPAZEEM BE LIVING MOTIVATION, or simply BLM GRIPAZEEM, dropped his debut project, ‘Manifest Destiny’ last year, kicking off an intriguing and expansive style. It's a rough-and-ready record, one that showcases both the raw talent that's got people talking and some unique moments brimming with potential.
With opening track ‘Point of Entry’, BLM GRIPAZEEM delivers a burst of old-school hip-hop, echoing his predecessors and carving out a slice of nostalgia. Things pick up with ‘Kuroihana Flow (Black Flames Freestyle)’, bursting into view with a bold call-and-response style that'll definitely get stuck in your head
In other tracks like ‘When I Win’, BLM GRIPAZEEM hits some perfect notes with the help of 2MarchBaby, showing a natural ability to collaborate. 2MarchBaby’s vocals elevate the track, making it a potential hit single, while BLM GRIPAZEEM adds his own style to balance the cut.
It’s through tracks like ‘Commercial’ that BLM GRIPAZEEM really starts to shine. It’s heavy, filled with confidence and lyrics that paint vivid pictures of high-fashion living. It's a glimpse into what BLM GRIPAZEEM can deliver when firing on all cylinders, and it sets the mark for the rest of the album. ‘The Come Up’ keeps the momentum going perfectly. It's another strong track with a catchy hook and a more polished performance from BLM GRIPAZEEM, showing he can rack up hits and deliver with some consistency.
The album closes out with a few more tracks, including the title track ‘Manifest Destiny’. It's a solid effort that showcases BLM GRIPAZEEM’s lyrical skills and unfiltered expression. While there's room to grow in some of the early moments, the album as a whole is a promising sign of what's to come.
Overall, ‘Manifest Destiny’ is a decent debut that hints knowingly at BLM GRIPAZEEM’s potential. There are definitely some rough cut edges, but the album also showcases his unique style, lyrical ability, and willingness to experiment with a clarity that few artists are brave enough to show.
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