For the unfamiliar, Jay10 is a Nigerian born and bred artiste now strutting his stuff from his North London base in the UK. He started his music career in 2019 and the reach of his talents extend from rapping, songwriting and production. He is known for his range as he often dabbles into different hip-hop subgenres from emo-rap to trap and everything in between, often to applaudable effect. DM2, the project under review, is his latest follow-up to Night in The Rain and Deleted Memories, and was put out under the distribution label Foundation Media. It features only 3 tracks that cut across different sounds on which he mostly explores his mind’s darkest thoughts, tackling issues such as drug use, depression and self-appraisal.
The EP opens up with the titular track “DM2”. The instrumental perfectly sets up and introspective and reflective mood and Jay10 hops on the beat in fitting fashion; he takes up the role of a man embracing his flaws and confronting his demons. Perfect is not a word to throw around but it’s hard to find any flaws in this. From his rapping voice to the punchlines to the flow to the hook, it’s all top-notch stuff and the production effort compliments his effort by bringing the emotions to life.
“MR DREAMER” is up next and it features a bouncy stringed instrumental. Jay10 is the quintessential dreamer in the song as he optimistically raps about what the future holds for him. His flow is laid-back but his lines are heavy with Quotables and his delivery is really tight. Track 1 gives you the suspicion while track 2 goes on to confirm it: Jay10 is a really good rapper.
Last on the lineup is “SAFARI” and this is the absolute turn up song of the project. The instrumental is a trippy trap flex, made it better with that irresistible flute sound that tends to potentiate trap beats. Jay10 raps – or should I say traps – about the fast life alongside Apex Village’s Zilla Oaks. The lead artiste goes 3 for 3 with yet another A+ performance.
All in all, this project is as good as it gets. It is highly detailed and it’s obvious careful attention was put into every aspect of the music creation process. It says a lot that, perhaps, the only flaw on DM2 is that it was too short. But it’s a flaw you’d be willing to forgive upon hearing the quality of music on offer.
Standout Track: SAFARI
Ratings: 9/10
