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And if that wasn’t enough, the cover art for Awthentik’s new album, Popular Misconception, depicts a rotting Trinidad James, with gold teeth and gold chains in tow. On one hand, it seems like a direct dis to the Georgia rapper, whose Southern-fried trap rap seems to represent everything Awthentik reviles. But on a deeper, more symbolic level, the picture could signal a mainstream shift toward grounded rap with a purpose. Perhaps Trinidad’s style, and rappers like him, are slowly melting away?
On Misconception, Awthentik—also a producer and engineer—used the same 808 drum kit that’s used to make trap music. “I make a masterpiece, it only took one man to make it,” the Silver Spring rapper proclaims on “Blank Canvas.” “I say I made it in my mind, it’s real redundant when I say it.” On a song like “Real Woman,” the trap influences are evident, but Awthentik goes against the genre’s conventions with a salute to his better half (whose joint-rolling skills are superb, according to the track).
Popular Misconception, out today, is a free download. Stream it below.