The Bronx has always had the worst reputation among the NYC boroughs, a concrete pariah whose name still concots emotions of fear, mostly outside of NYC. It is from this dismissal and its rough-and-tumble fame that artists like Kemba draw their inspiration. In his new single “Last Year Being Broke” (streaming) Kemba paints hyper-real portraits of his everyday life via punchy verses that carry the warmth of his sincerity. The whipping kick drum and trickling piano notes help bring Kemba’s proclamation of soon-to-be-achieved success amid all-too-real poverty forward. The track is relatable for up and coming artists and shows that the rapper is looking to connect with his audience as opposed to boasting at them. In today’s hip-hop scene this is a welcome approach. Check out the single below. – Rene Cobar
