Northampton hero DeBe drops his most profound body of work to date; the stylistically sprawling and stunningly introspective ‘D2Da’.

Any reader of our blog will know that we are massive fans of DeBe. Since his emergence, he has hurtled into the alternative rap hemisphere at full speed, confidently proving himself to be one of UK raps most compelling figures. The new EP follows the rapper’s early 2021 album ‘The Last Breath’; a raw, unfiltered and hard hitting collection of cuts that illustrated DB’s unique approach to writing and performance, as well as introducing and developing DeBe as a flawed protagonist that you just can’t help but root for. ‘D2Da’ builds on TLB’s uncensored sound, but also showcases a different side of the artist’s musical identity and inner state of mind.

Sonically eclectic and narratively striking, D2Da’s ability to switch up mood and style is among its most eye catching assets. Beginning with the booming, electrifying sounds of ‘NOT COPS’, we are drawn in further by the recent bouncy, off-kilter single ‘NICE GUY’. The dark, Gothic timbre continues with ‘X2’; ghostly production and vehemently controlled vocals highlight the extent of DeBe’s continuously convalescent nuance. Even more impressively, the track is accompanied by a visually striking and cinematic video, that is DeBe’s very own directional debut. ‘THE QUEUE’ is another robustly haunting cut, with its growling bass and vividly honest bars oxymoronic to the tender flow and casual delivery that DeBe continues to delve deeper into.

It is at this point that DeBe fully realises his potential as a musically developed and emotionally refined writer. The wistful ‘OPENN’ is quietly heartrending and rhythmically explorative. ‘EVERY PIECE’ follows; the shortest song from the EP and arguably the most impactful. Subtle sonically, DB’s bars are immensely memorable and retrospective. The true artistry continues into ‘IYLAH’ - another inwardly gazing, reflective and delicate effort. The EP finishes with another absolute gem in ‘MAKING SOUND’; a track that is intense, contemplative and emotionally potent.

The coherency in which DeBe explores his own flaws, psyche and past is what, for me, distinguishes him from the ravaging pack of upcoming rappers in the UK right now. His writing is startlingly honesty and darkly humorous, not afraid to peer deep into own mental state and scrutinise the trials and tribulations of his past. D2Da is as authentic as an EP can be. One of my favourite rap projects of the year.