The first time we featured rapper Cxlxb was back in August 2019 when his autobiographically nuanced single “Guess Again” caught our eye.
Fast-forward a year and his latest EP Figure It Out follows down that same personal path as he lays a solid trap foundation upon which to explore themes of love, depression and substance abuse.
Accompanied by a classic pitched down trap-inspired beat, Cxlxb’s tone is crisp and his flow is rapid while remaining eloquent. Mixed and mastered independently with US-based producer, Eeryskies, the six-track project is a dreamy amalgamation of psychedelic hip hop packaged as a tour of Cxlxb’s troubled mind.
The project also boasts a couple of perfectly placed features – “That Boy” features a slow-paced verse from fellow Cape Town rapper, Mvula Drae, as well as angelic vocal accompaniment from Pretoria-based indie singer, Kynd Faces.
Elements of Lil Dicky and rising star Curtis Waters come to mind in “This Road” and title track, “Figure It Out” – while undertones of the gravelly monotony characteristic of metalcore outfit Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes voice lick closing track “Fear No Evil”.
It’s a well-balanced offering. And an intentional exposé of Cxlxb’s undying persistence and confidence in his craft.
