Don’t crash: 2025 is about to be Dro Kenji‘s year.
Since his breakout tape in 2020, the Internet Money-bred rapper has always had an innate superstar trait. His latest project, LOVE KILLS, proves this yet again—showcasing his versatility and tenacity on the mic more than ever.
Executive produced by longtime collaborator Census, Kenji and Cen have developed an undeniable chemistry coming out of the IM camp. Working on every single Dro project since TEARS AND PISTOLS, the duo go all-out on their ninth project together released on Valentine’s Day.
The previously-released “AMSTERDAM” led in the 16-track opus, which touts highlights like “BEEPR,” “DON’T CRASH,” “STUMBLIN” and much more. Preceded by one-off singles in “EVIL TWIN” and “HEARTLESS,” Kenji’s sound has historically leaned into his knack for melody—falling in line with sub-genres such as “emo-rap” or “cloud rap.” However, on LOVE KILLS, Kenji embodies a killer mentality, blazing past each track seamlessly with blitzing, video game-esque production curated by Census.
Dro’s been taking notes, looking at his peers in the current wave and attaching the now-signature searing, mouth-foaming distortion to his already polished sound. It’s a recipe for success as Census’ expert curation—which cascades each track into the next (listen to how the finale track “FAVORITE NOTHING” perfectly bleeds into the intro “BRAND NEW”)—shows that LOVE KILLS is meant to be played on repeat; or “OVER N OVER” as Dro once said.
On his lead single “AMSTERDAM,” Kenji stunts throughout the city until he finally finds green at 4 a.m. But the song represents much more than just another flame in the fire. Unlike fellow IM stars like Rich Amiri and Lil Tecca, Kenji has yet to nab a breakout hit that’ll lend to greater visibility (and opportunity) in mainstream rap circles; He has the skill, sound and catalog to achieve widespread popularity, though.
He’s become one of the more consistent and charismatic rising stars in today’s underground—it’s only a matter of time before he has that “moment” that catapults him higher (remember when Drake and Adin Ross played his music on stream?). LOVE KILLS sets the South Carolina talent on a path towards his biggest year yet—evolving his sound while keeping it quintessentially Kenji for his core fanbase.
Listen to ‘LOVE KILLS’ below!