Nappy Nappa Joins The Bop Wave

NAPPYNAPPA's music has a spacial vibe to it.  Whether that be the reverb and synths paired with his trademark echo, making you feel like you're adrift in the galaxy, or his crashing 808s and "T'd up" rage taking you through reentry—his sonics are not of this earth. 

However, yesterday’s release was an exception, a return to orbit.  Drawn in by the Millennium generation's gravitational pull, his latest song, "\+YENE FRIKIN+/," joins the bop music wave.  Produced by BASEDCHINK, the two-minute track has hints of those 8-bit video game sounds that have proliferated hip hop music over the last two years.  What's more is that Nappa's voice is auto-tuned, rapping about Rick Owens, Nike checks, and his "OFF WHITE soul."  This is both surprising and welcomed to hear, as the Southeast, D.C. rapper often waxes poetic on more abstract and dense topics.  It shows he's listening to his surroundings at the very least--never conforming and equipped to hit the mainstream should it come calling.  Listen to the track above.

NAPPYNAPPA and MARTYHEEMCHERRY Share "BACK2ATLANTIS" Music Video

Thank you NAPPYNAPPA and MARTYHEEMCHERRY for taking us back to the golden age of music videos.

By now, InTheRough readers should be in-the-know about NAPPYNAPPA, the bourgeoning rapper from the District of Columbia. If not, read up about his latest endeavors here.  He and fellow LAD MARTYHEEMCHERRY have released visuals to their song "Back2Atlantis," which is a single off Nappa's latest EP "RawDogRawLoveRawGod part 1: Ascenshun"

Reminiscent of Eiffel 65's pre-millennium hit "Blue" or the Backstreet Boys' "Larger Than Life" anthem, the three-minute video features an intergalactic trip through space and time.  On their journey, Nappa and Marty are joined by brother Auto Lola to defend the nation's capital from an extraterrestrial invasion, or so we think.  Perhaps it was all a game as the Emre Yagci directed video ends with a vintage arcade console siloed in a dark street alley between garbage dumps and empty liquor bottles.  Check out the video above and stay tuned for more content from NAPPYNAPPA. 

Nappy Nappa's "+RAWDOGRAWLOVERAWGOD+ part 1: Ascenshun" Out Now

Listen to Nappy Nappa's seven-track EP available on all streaming platforms.

The Southeast, D.C. rapper cemented a momentous and prolific last four months with the release of his new project “+RawDogRawLoveRawGod+ part 1: Ascenshun” on Tuesday.  The EP was dropped following a recent trip to the United Kingdom, an appearance on Adult Swim’s Blood Feast Livestream in Atlanta, 19 original gems on SoundCloud, and an opening act for up-and-coming New York emcee, Wiki, at Songbyrd Music House just last week.

Featuring cover art that is an abstraction of Notorious B.I.G’s classic Ready to Die album cover, Nappa’s project veers towards the sonically abstract, too. Distorted, computer-sounding bleeps and bloops are common elements throughout the RawGod’s production, including songs like “1w” and “Boost Project,” a track that was first heard on In Studio Live.

In “Ascenshun//Intens Anticipation,” Nappa sings a chorus that sounds cathartic for him, blocking the “wickedry” in the world as he puts it.

“I raise my head from my pillow.  That’s when I live my dreams.”

Napito is focused on his music, although it doesn’t always come off that way.  At his show with Wiki, he was turnt all the way up with fellow LADS Auto Lola and Marty Heem Cherry, who also appear on the project. During the Blood Feast Livestream, he and mentor Sir E.U started scrapping on the floor, mid-broadcast because E.U interrupted a moment of silence prompted by Nappa himself.  These instances of chaos, choreographed or not, do not cloud Nappa’s earnestness to deliver a trademark set.  “I was sent to earth on a mission, so like Moses or Martin, I’m not the most perfect person, far from it, and I may not make it to the Promised Land, but we should see to it that as many people/generations/babies [as possible] can make it,” he wrote over email.

Nappy Nappa on set, Blood Feast Livestream

The project takes a funky turn with “MPH//Bend’n Forc’z,” which is sure to maximize Nappa’s energy on stage.  It’s reminiscent of Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps,” albeit way groovier and synthed out.

From the Kangol hats to the Nike Blazers, it feels like Nappy Nappa is an old head at heart.  He feels it, too, writing “#oldcity” in his SoundCloud bio in reference to the District as a once “Chocolate City,” and he signs off his tape with the bars “Southeast, South, Southeast” in an ode to Boogie Down Productions’ 1987 classic, “South Bronx.”

“I’m blessed to be from D.C.,” he says.  “I feel as though my energy/spirit to be aware, selfless and active comes from [D.C.], but it’s bigger than me and where I’m from.”

You can listen to Nappy Nappa’s “+RawDogRawLoveRawGod+ part 1: Ascenshun” on all streaming platforms now.

Look out for Nappy Nappa in volume two of the ‘Sounds of D.C.’ playlist coming soon.