If You Like: Abhi The Nomad, Healy, Kweku Collins
The south has been a major player in the development of the rap and hip hop scene over the years. Pioneers of the trap rap music genre all of hip hop owe such a debt to those who came before. Down in Atlanta you can still from the classic being dissected into larger-than-life musical sounds. From the days of Outkast to the new age of Migos, it may be hard to pin down where the southern rap will land. One thing is for sure certain, Georgia-grown rapper Wiley From Atlanta is a rising star among the rebels. Never forgetting his roots, Wiley From Atlanta has grand plans for the city of Atlanta rap sound.
At first glance, Wiley’s raspy voice gives the impression of a rap style more akin to early Lil Wayne. After a few more listens, Wiley is clearly in a league of his own. Outspoken about his trials and past experiences, the independent rapper uses the range of the human voice to break through barriers to connect with listeners. With the tools at his disposal, Wiley From Atlanta is a chef with the musical knife. It’s what separates the disturbingly beautiful from the blissful tragic.
Wiley’s journey starts with his 2017 haunting lo-fi debut single, “90 Days.” The track allows a bare and honest Wiley to use blends of R&B, Funk, and new age rap. The same could be said about his other 2017 track, “Paper Planes.” Both tracks are perfect explains of paying homage to your musical hometown roots while carving out your own lane.
In 2019, Wiley From Atlanta released his debut album, Blue Don’t Make Me Cry. In a culmination of his prior work, Wiley doesn’t pull any punches on his album. The production intertwines well with the low trap ambiance theme. Tracks like “Backseat” and “Cashmere” see Wiley at his most vulnerable yet still packing punches. The album allows listeners to grasp a full lay of the land in the Atlanta rap community while getting a glimpse into its future.
Wiley isn’t here to conform nor have critics define him. Always marching to the beat of his own drum, it’s Wiley’s trademark. Combining elements of clever wordplay and that southern rap charm we’ve all come to know in hip hop, Wiley is a rapper like no other. Wiley has released hazy two singles, “Contact High” and “Keep Me High,” this year in support of his upcoming project. Steamrolling ahead Wiley brings the highs and lows of life in a convenient little track. Something to listen to as you the forefront in the next era of ATL hip hopspend time high as you breaking down weed, as Wiley so cleverly points out. Wiley From Atlanta is at the forefront in the next era of ATL hip hop.
