“The EP is done, but we’re not finished.”
After all the heat he’s dropped this year, redveil knows he’s playing w/ fire.
Sharing a new project on Wednesday (April 19) — one day before his 19th birthday — the rising PG County native continues to position himself as the future face of rap with his new 6-track EP.
Unveiling four fresh songs, aside from the previously released “giftbag” (March 22) and “BLACK ENUFF” with JPEGMAFIA (April 5), veil’s made birthday drops a trend stemming from his sophomore project, learn 2 swim, last year. New cuts like “captain,” “stuck,” “pwf” and the dance-inducing “f2g” all further veil’s experimental evolution as both a lyricist and producer.
Hits seems to be too easy to capture for the young redveil, as his latest single and visual “captain” stays within the chaotic beauty he’s crafted with playing w/ fire’s lead tracks. “Bitch, damn,” veil calls from the bottom of an abyss, as his now-patented vocal chops and deep-rooted 808s combine with chest-shaking kicks that beg for more room on the dance floor. Veil’s singing takes centerstage once more, interpolating echoed ad-libs into bridge that teeters in between a boastful hook. “We can tell that he cappin, for real / N***s know in the captain, for real,” veil tears off with a strained flow, impressing once more with another immersive visual.
Amid “captain’s” vibe-worthy panache and the KAYTRANADA-esque “f2g” featuring Mekdelawit, nothing feels more tailor-made than redveil and Peggy’s collab on “BLACK ENUFF.” Just weeks removed from his feature on he and Danny Brown’s “Kingdom Hearts Key,” the pair’s chemistry is undeniable. Bombastic and filled with ambitious production choices, “BLACK ENUFF” is a self-produced sonic thrill ride worth every second. As a call to action for those still doubting his ability, veil wages war with boisterous drums and bravado to the brim, rapping “Wear my scars, who the fuck is ashamed? / Never me, I’ma keep it a buck / You get charred if you step in my range / So you might as well stay in the cut.”
Peggy matches his unabashed energy, playing into the plights they’ve faced being Black, left-of-center emcees with bars like: “I know the stakes, I know the real from the fake, opinion from media takes / I’m at a stage, work like it’s minimum wage, for money and critical praise.” Veil is seen playing the drums and waving a Jamaican flag in the track’s visual, igniting a fire in the hearts of listeners while he and Peggy destroy everything in their path. Performing this song live on the “Water 2 Fire Tour” is certainly a gift for the pits.
“Playing w/ fire” with a slew of standout tracks, the the soon-to-be 19-year-old yet again asserts himself as one of the most prolific producer-rappers of the next generation. With co-signs from JID, Smino, Joey Bada$$ and many more lyrical titans of today, redveil’s presence is certainly being felt beyond the new wave.
As redveil wages on his “Water 2 Fire” tour this month, which supports learn 2 swim and playing w/ fire, it’s evident that he’s well on his way to becoming timeless in his space.
Be sure to check out his first-ever set at Rolling Loud Miami this July!
Listen to “playing w/ fire” below!
