In his freestyle track "Phone Down," BK rapper Jimi Tents asks the question, likely rhetorically, "Why every rapper fake deep, sell dope or got depression." Definitely a diss, this bar is also a signal of Tents’ intent to stand out in today’s hip-hop by returning to the genre’s roots, centering his music in clever lyricism delivered emphatically with 90’s golden-era swagger. And instead of offering something new on his newly released single, "Rick Rubin," he doubles down. An ode to the enigmatic producer/Def Jams mogul, Tents raps about the beginnings of his budding break-out. Aside from clever lyricism, Tents also puts all of his different styles on display, switching cadences fluidly and without hesitation. On this track, the rapper proves that he has the talent – and also that he is aware of it. You can catch him live at Rough Trade on 5/23 and listen to "Rick Rubin" below. – Henry Solotaroff-Webber
