

On his third project, From the Jump, Grand Rapids native Vee tha Rula looks forward without losing sight of his past, spinning rhymes over production that inspires elbow-throwing as much as it does quiet contemplation. The tone is set by a stirring introductory skit featuring a young Vee who can’t help fighting others’ battles. “Out the Roof” celebrates hard work over neck-snapping 808s and woozy chimes, while Vee addresses the shivering, shimmering mood piece “Coldest Winter” to a troubled woman with whom he’s been through it all.