Oakland’s newly-formed duo Benni J x O-Naje releases one of the most inspiring thought-provoking and motivational 17 track albums for the year of 2020 titled “Soul Rap Psychology.” The concept around this project is well needed in today’s extremely toxic landscape, as we are constantly bombarded with negativity, injustices and useless subject matter via social media and mainstream media, making this project the much needed antidote and cure to all this nonsense. These two artists deliver the message of empowerment, ignoring the distractions that hold you down, and if you are going through troubling times, you will instantly gravitate to the message in the project.
While curating a movement for themselves, “Soul Rap Psychology” is the introductory effort of this promising duo that showcases their vast uplifting potential and transform them from local hopefuls to global phenomenons. This album is the outlet for the duo to be exceptional, expressive, and ideally influential to all the masses. Manifesting a sound of high-energy awareness of street knowledge on tracks like “Gratitude” and “Live Infinite”, Benni J x O-Naje presents a steady aggressive attitude with remarks of positive motivations and woken social injustice. Together, the duo’s chemistry is influential, surprisingly, with the two only being a formed partner-in-crime in under a few years.
Digging deeper into this project, a few other tracks that really stand out to me are “Clarification”, which really gave me the frank clarity I really needed, along with “Prosperous Ones” bar far my favorite are most relatable track in the entire project. What really stood out were the dope interlude’s, clearly showing me that they didnt rush this project out, a lot of these new cats push full projects with zero interludes, which I feel is really important keeping the production value higher then usual.
Soul Rap Psychology definitely has it’s memorable moments throughout the entire project. They clearly shattered the glass ceiling as the duo overachieved on this album. Lastly, while each track delivers very similar structure, its doesn’t take away the overall message and whole concept behind what these two artists envisioned, which is producing dope respectable Hip Hop! Definitely looking forward to all their new material, and I am for sure hooked, became an instant fan!
Follow O-Naje on Instagram @onaje_is_infinite.
Ratings: 8/10
Highlights: Energy & Memorable
