The young Jacksonville rapper 12Gage, has dropped the single “Dragonfly 44”, which is the title song off the upcoming album set for release in April 2017. The song was produced by Trill Wavez and mastered by MyPlatinumSound. 12Gage raps like a man inspired. He is an artist who is unpredictable; arguably the most consequential aspect of this release is how it eradicates traditional pitfalls in a sublimely organic fashion.
Listening to “Dragonfly 44”, it is clear that 12Gage’s keen ear for production is a foregone conclusion. He sheds all the customary unimaginativeness linked to mainstream rap, and manages to keep his lyricism and unmistakable mic presence as the most vigorous magnetic pull of the project.
On “Dragonfly 44”, there is no room for dull musical moments, or minced lyrics. The song is a spectacle in itself, and, repeatedly, verse after verse, 12Gage’s meticulous craftsmanship is simultaneously evident and spontaneous. Instead of enlisting random vocalists for hook duty, 12Gage’s builds off the track’s chemistry and takes care of things himself.
And his vocals add an effervescent touch to an already charged beat. As one would expect, 12Gage’s dazzling lyrical display never drops off in terms of quality, and only seem to magnify gradually with each blazing line.
12Gage’s delves into risky artistic terrain with an esoteric theme on “Dragonfly 44”, yet he imparts flashes of lyrical genius only a few have the pedigree to pull off in this context. The track positions the Jacksonville rapper as an emcee with the ability to put forth a creatively relevant piece of work.
If 12Gage is, as it seems, a new torchbearer of truly authentic, larger-than-life, world-weary, and lyrically virtuosic rap music, then it’s not difficult to figure out why he embodies this ideal vision of excellence and purity in the field – he is influenced by TuPac, Nas, Pusha T, Kanye, Meek Mill, and of course his idol Lil Wayne.
Quite explicitly, if this track is an effort to establish who 12Gage was and who he could be, or to brand him in any way, the single “Dragonfly 44” is a fully realized product, seeing 12Gage not as he was or as he could be, but as he is – absolutely ahead of the game. And if this track is only a prelude to the upcoming album, the question is just how far, will 12Gage be able to take his skillset next time around!
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