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When working hard to achieve a goal, it is common for one to feel undermined or underappreciated for just how much they invest into their work. Often it isn't until someone has reached their desired status or goal, that they feel validated or they can actually appreciate just how far they've come in order to make it. Some of the greatest success stories come from individuals who spent sometimes years out of the general spotlight, only making the destination that much sweeter once they arrived. In music, specifically hip-hop, the stories of the MC's who grinded through life as well as the highs and lows of their career, are always held in high regard among true hip-hop fans. And those artists gain not only fame, popularity and money, but they earn everyone's respect in the process.
Bobby Hagens has spent the better part of the past year elevating himself as one of the most promising and talented rappers MC's in the DMV area. The Maryland product put out an extremely strong independent effort with his debut project Let Me Tell It, which released back in the spring of 2019. The project showcased his ability to use his current and past experiences in life as the driving force of his music. In an era of hip-hop where rapping about the fast life and the typical allures of the music industry is the easiest way to get content out, Bobby decided to let his first album speak to a different side of the art. Whether it's being a father, a son, a brother, a lover or a believer in God, he expresses all thoughts on all matters in the music, leaving the listener no room to misunderstand his intent and desire with every line.
Let Me Tell It served as the impressive upstart project that it was intended to be. In 2020, in the midst of one of the most challenging years in history, there is no slowing down. In April, Bobby released a two track EP titled While We Wait, which shows the young MC quite comfortable letting everyone know that there has been no lost focused or drive, but just the opposite. He successfully showcased both his braggadocios and sentimental sides respectively on the two tracks, with the former track being full of bold claims of just how impressive the next project will be and to stay tuned for next time. Well, six months later, he has returned, but not alone, and not without making a huge impact.
Bobby Hagens has resurfaced with his most eye-catching track today. His newest single is titled Wicked, and is accompanied by features from three of DC's most respected young MC's in Chaz French, Lightshow and Big Flock. All three guests have spent years working their way up through the ranks of DMV artists, and have all developed fan bases that have pushed them to commercial success. Their inclusion separately, let alone all on the same track, is impressive for any artist to achieve. And based off of those featured artists alone, the track feels like it would be impossible to fail. However, that only undermines just how well the four MC's performed in order to deliver the DMV area's best song of the year so far.
Being the relative newcomer of the group, Bobby makes sure to set the tone with the opening verse, sounding like a veteran who has being doing this his entire life. The dark, piano-laden production to start the track simply sets the mood for how brash and assertive his verse comes along. Clearly wanting the pressure of achieving his goals on his shoulders and his shoulders alone, he speaks to not trusting many, and being more than able to accomplish what he needs to without a handout or fake support. The confidence breathes through the verse and only heightens anticipation for the features. And the trio of guests pay that energy back in full, all in their own distinct way. Whether it's Chaz French's fast-paced and witty wordplay, Lightshow's unique mix of relaxed tone with aggressive lyricism or Big Flock's menacing and intimidating delivery, the song is a perfect mix of substance, diversity and rhyming ability. The song flows without any areas of pause or wasted energy, giving the feel that the four MC's wrote and recorded the track as a group. That cohesiveness is another reason why the track is impressive and showcases the raw talent of the individual MC's as well as the collective. Bobby Hagens has set out to get his respect and just due in 2020, and Wicked is the type of song that won't allow him to be overlooked or under appreciated any futher.
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