Seven projects in 21 months. Let that sink in for a second.
If there’s anything Internet Money sensation Dro Kenji can’t do, it’s take his foot off the gas, as the gifted singer-rapper has gifted his seventh full-length tape, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, on Aug. 26.
Weeks after unleashing his SoundCloud teaser EP, Lost In Here, on streaming, Kenji’s new 13-track effort features Mike Dimes (“STEP BACK”), DC The Don (“So What?”), Midwxst, No Cap and KA$HDAMI. His collabs with Donny and Dimes were also included on Lost In Here in July, as Kenji, Dimes and DotCom Nirvan linked up for the high-powered visual to “STEP BACK” hours before the album’s release.
Sharing ABH’s lead single “THEY DONT KNOW” — which he performed in our latest OGM Live — back in May, Kenji told OGM that ANYWHERE BUT HERE is “some big boy shit,” alluding to the magnitude of the moment it will create for him. Tracks like “ALONE” with hyperpop enigma Midwxst, “SHALLOW” and “FEELS LIKE A DREAM” offer some of Kenji’s most captivating vocal performances yet. The strength of his features — which hold a handful of the new wave’s current leaders — lift ANYWHERE BUT HERE to new heights altogether.
His visual for “KILL EM FOR ME” (Aug. 31) with Dami is another high-powered look at Kenji’s undoubted versatile — suiting up with the DMV native for a dark, mobster-esque journey in the Declan Kyle-directed video. More recently, Kenji dropped off ABH’s final visual component “SHALLOW” (Sept. 9), depicting the emo-rockstar rapper on the edge of his emotions.
Known for dropping off rapid fire hits, Kenji’s underground stock continues to soar following his latest string of LPs. Stemming from last year’s FUCK YOUR FEELINGS, the young “SUPERSTAR” saw his highest chart placements by way of his January project, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. Now, the “SO WHAT?” emcee is making an even bigger splash in mainstream circles.
It’s apparent that Kenji’s affinity for love-torn, emotive soundscapes are inspired by the likes of Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION. However, the 20-year-old South Carolina native possesses an intrinsic star power all his own — separating himself from his peers by way of oft-powered, energetic love ballads and grunge rock-infused cadences.
If Lost In Here was any indication of his continued takeover, ANYWHERE BUT HERE is the triumphant start of a new era for Dro Kenji.
Listen to ‘ANYWHERE BUT HERE’ below!
