Trenches Babies; Kid Kwesi - Mary Jane

BACKGROUND

Trenches Babies is a groundbreaking series of mixtapes and EPs seeking to revive the raw essence of artistic expression in today's music industry. Liberating artists from the burdens of commercial pressures and fan expectations, this movement embraces the nostalgic spirit of classic mixtapes, allowing musicians to explore their creativity freely and experiment with diverse styles. With a focus on true artistry rather than commercial success, Trenches Babies becomes a haven for genuine music enthusiasts, fostering a community that celebrates creativity and authenticity. As listeners immerse themselves in the depth and meaning behind each artist's work, this project stands as a revolution within the industry, empowering musicians to create fearlessly and offering fans an unfiltered and soulful connection to music. Trenches Babies promises to reshape the music landscape, introducing a new era where artists are celebrated for their unique visions and where the true essence of music shines brightly, unburdened by mainstream expectations.

 

Trenches Babies; Kid Kwesi - Mary Jane

'Mary Jane' is Kid Kwesi's sophomore project, following 'TATTOO MUSIC' released in 2021. Mary Jane is a 7-track, trap-infused project showcasing Kid Kwesi's ability. Backed by amazing production by a plethora of producers, Mary Jane has come out as one of the landmark additions to the Trenches Babies series.

Fall Apart

Solid opener. Kid Kwesi's influences shine through this song. Fall Apart is a melodic trap song reminiscent of Roddy Rich and NBA YoungBoy. Production is the highlight of this song for me, but that's a common occurrence for most melodic trap songs. It's not my favourite on the project, but it is still a good song.

Slow

Groovy. I loved this, an early contender for my favourite song. 'Slow' is a head bopper. The song has an amazing hood, and Kid Kwesi's voice glides over the production. I wish it had an extra verse, but nevertheless, I enjoyed this song.

King

Back-to-back. Another good song. I seem to be enjoying the songs where his vocals haven't been tampered with more (personal preference; I see why people would enjoy the heavy autotune tracks).

Win Some, Lose Some

I enjoyed the raw emotions in this song. At this point in the project, I could tell Kwesi had suffered a loss. A lot of the project up to this point has been in reference to a lost one, and it peaked on this song. I admire his ability to pour his emotions into this song.

Good Times Bad Times

My favourite song. Good Times Bad Time was a perfect balance of trap and hip-hop. 

No More

There's not much to say on this track; it's solid overall.

Tell Me The Truth

A good outro. I'm glad I heard multiple verses this time.

Summary

Mary Jane is a solid project. There are tons of highlights and not too many lows. Stylistically, Mary Jane is very different to TATTOO MUSIC. Trap music lovers would enjoy this project, while Drill fans would enjoy TATTOO MUSIC more. My favourite moments on this project were all on the songs that weren't trap-heavy. Ultimately, I think Mary Jane was a good proof of concept, not a complete showcase of his skills. I can't wait to see what Kid Kwesi and Ground Up Chale have cooking up for us next.