As the popularity of trap continues to rise in Puerto Rico, many rappers in the independent scene keep exploring the original hip hop sound of boom bap while reflecting on their life and surroundings. Among the many to use said sound are Kombo the X Writer, Negro Gonzalez, La Estación Central and the Lares-based Benlirico, the last of these recently did so with a short and to-the-point self-titled EP. (cover for the EP) The start to Benlirico’s self-titled EP is “Somos Asi,” a bass heavy production that serves as a perfect introduction for the project as it features the rapper displaying his lyrical abilities, a task which he continues with the following track, “No Me Arrepiento.” Afterwards, Benlirico closes the first half of his EP by exploring the weird side of hip hop as he provides introspective raps over a surreal beat. (picture of the artist as found in his Facebook) The second half to Benlirico’s EP kicks off with a boom bap heavy tune, “Como Es Posible,” that sees the rapper looking at the current state of his surroundings by providing commentary about certain injustices. The artist then looks back at his start in hip hop culture on the song “Freestyle.” Finally, the project finishes with “Momentos,” a boom bap driven tune that sees the rapper exploring the theme of hardship and how one wishes to escape this through music. (art of the rapper as found in his Facebook) While the prevailing sounds of hip hop continue to be those provided by trap and dancehall, it is good to see other rappers continue to explore the traditional boom bap beat in order to express their inner demons and what they see around them. With his latest self-titled EP Benlirico manages to deliver said experience.
Listen to the “Benlirico EP” on Spotify
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AuthorFernando E. E. Correa González is the author behind over 30 self-published poetry books. He has been published by literary magazines & journals [Id]entidad, El Vicio del Tintero, Sábanas Magazine, Smaeralit, The Occulum, Tonguas and Hound Magazine. Other than writing, Correa is also the host of FENCast, a podcast dedicated to documenting the Puerto Rican independent art scene. Aside from this, he experiments with filmmaking, photography, drawing, painting, multimedia and transmedia. He currently lives in his native Puerto Rico. Archives
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