“Beastmode” by Jwavy is innovate young hip-hop at its best!

Jasmine, better known by her pseudonym Jwavy is a rapper from Pacific Northwest Seattle. Her artistry is affiliated with the Northern Flow, which a relatively new form. Her debut single “Beastmode” is a chill yet heavy track featuring fellow Seattle rapper Maribased1. Female rap is running the game currently and it is exciting to watch younger female artists get inspired by this.

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Instrumentally, “Beastmode” plays with lightness and heaviness by placing them against each other in juxtaposition. Some elements like the hi-hats in the 808s and claps in the percussion keep it really delicate and add lightness to the track. The high-pitched keys that are as soothing as raindrops do the same. However, the bass is extremely heavy along with vocal performances by Jwavy and Maribased1 which provide a sense of toughness to the single. The sample is used only to create atmosphere and ambience.

Maribased1’ keeps its smooth on his verse. I really like his vocal inflections, especially on words like “Hibachi” that reminded me of the laid back yet unique delivery of artists like Vince Staples. His line “Where I’m from, you don’t go against your people” stood out to me.

Jwavy has an effortless flow which she switches up adding extensions only when necessary. Her bars are lyrically clever with my favourite one being “You’re the hottest in our city but nobody’s ever heard of you”. Lyrically, the theme of the track is as the title suggests “Beastmode”. It is about going all-in, going hard and being the toughest and the best. It is safe to say that the short track has many bars that are disses flowing between her being desired and financially taken care of and the consequence of doing her wrong.

I genuinely look forward to all the music Jwavy has up her sleeve!