Wake Up

An up-and-coming emcee representing for Akron, Ohio, Swoope is part of the High Society collective and signed to Collision Records. He's already dropped several independent projects (Zoo, Applause Vol. 1, Spring Fling), setting the stage for his “official” debut album, Wake Up. Very influenced by Kanye and Drake, his songs are heavy on melodrama and introspective storytelling, preferring to rhyme about his life and faith rather than fake thug/kingpin fairytales. Musically he keeps listeners on their toes, mixing up genres with instrumentation that varies from simple, classically minded pianos to crunchy distorted electronics and anthemic drum bashing. His Christian beliefs are on display throughout but never get too in your face, while his meandering flow keeps things interesting over the course of 15 tracks. Lots of breathy guest singers provide the hooks, but Swoope's verses are really the stars of the show. "Ideality," "No Impostors," and "Aesthetic/Beautiful Rise Prelude" are standouts.