Maryland-born, Boston area emcee Malik Elijah is back with a bang, releasing a three-track EP titled Smoke Signal this Friday. The mini-project showcases Elijah’s exceptional talents as a songwriter, and uncanny versatility to transport a listener into different moods.
Smoke Signal begins with OWNLANE, a track that sets the tone for the rest of the project. Elijah brandishes his otherworldly flow, charismatic and varied delivery, over soulful instrumentation. The beat is infectious with its jagged chops and alluring vocal sample balanced by muted percussion that puts Elijah’s flow in the forefront.
Next up is BRANDNEW where Elijah displays some of his best songwriting. This joint is centered on the idea that once Malik blows up, he doesn’t want people treating him any kind of way except how they act around him now. No asking for hand-outs or attention when they had nothing to give to him when he needed them. “Don’t be acting like a fresh pair of new Jays when I’m the new wave./Surfing through these tidals, seeing idols turn to new slaves.”
While OWNLANE presents a serene, jazzy atmosphere, BrandNew slaps, and Elijah attacks it with an indignant, borderline-aggressive delivery.
The EP closes with HALLELUYAY guest featuring Kinrose, a rising singer-songwriter from the DMV area. The song is a powerful collaboration that showcases both artists’ strengths. Elijah’s flow is as impressive as ever, and Kinrose’s vocals add a beautiful touch to the track. This joint has real bounce, with its light chords and upbeat charisma.
Overall, Smoke Signal is a testament to Malik Elijah’s talent and potential as an artist. The EP is a brief but potent glimpse into Elijah’s world, and it leaves listeners wanting more. With his exceptional wordplay and vibrant beat selection, Elijah is definitely an artist to watch in 2023 and beyond.
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