T$oko’s New Double A-Side Is A Definite ‘Level Up’
T$oko. Photo supplied.
Zimbabwe-born, Perth-based rapper T$oko has just dropped a double A-Side featuring the tracks 6K and Level Up, off a larger release titled OverKiLL (which he’s dropped over on SoundCloud). Both tracks have an energy and flow about them that got my attention from the get-go, but it’s Level Up I’ll be writing about today. After all, I usually only write about the one track at a time (aside from interviews) and I’ll be damned if I break ‘tradition’. I have to have some semblance of structure with these reviews.
Level Up features production from Grammy-Award winning Juicebangers, as well as Chu, who also mixed and recorded the track. There’s something about this song that really feels like summer. Maybe it’s the high piano notes, or the way the hi-hats ring out. I’d rather not go into minute detail about the instrumentation of this song. I’m here to tell you why you should listen. Go grab a mojito, sit under an umbrella and soak in what T$oko is saying. You’ll get lost in the wordplay.
In case you were wondering, the answer to “why should I listen?” is a simple one. T$oko has ‘it’. Everyone talks about what ‘it’ is, and depending on who you talk to, it’s a whole range of things. To me, it’s as simple as this. Does this track sound ready for a world stage? Undoubtedly. The double A-side forms part of a larger series of “lost tapes” that T$oko calls a “prelude” to his upcoming work. If these are his loosies, I’m keen to see what’s made the cut.
Speaking about OverKiLL, T$oko says, “OverKiLL is a mini compilation/collection of material which I recorded which didn't make my upcoming project. Over the years I have been recording tons and tons of music as well as collaborating with some amazing producers.” He’s worked with JuiceBangers, Stro Elliot, Willie B and Dr Dundiff on the release. There are some seriously talented producers featured on this “lost tape”, and yet, T$oko is the star of the show. I think that says everything it needs to.
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Check out 6K and Level Up below. I’ve listened to more rap/hip-hop this year than I have in a while, and the Australian sound is constantly evolving. However, T$oko’s sound doesn’t need to borrow from what’s currently hot. Instead, the beats, bars and flow speak for themselves. I’ve also included OverKiLL below, which he’s dropped over on SoundCloud. These tracks are perfect for a long drive.