Jodye Faneto’s Bigger Than Biggie Marks A New Era in His Experimental Drill Career
Jodye Faneto is one of Kenya’s burgeoning drill acts. His discography features both solo and collaborative projects including fan favorites such as Postman Pat, Tembea Na Kidungi, Damu, and No Likes. Since launching his career, the MAD Records signee has been keen on hardcore rap. However, earlier in the year, he announced his intention to experiment with dark and eerie music, and his latest EP, Bigger Than Biggie (BTB) lived up to this commitment.
While this new approach is risky and niche, Jodye Faneto is sure that it will pay off by capturing the attention of fans and critics alike. The rapper’s first 2023 single, 666 Flows, was released ahead of the Bigger Than Biggie EP, as the precursor to his dark side introducing his audience to a new haunting soundscape. Produced by Neevo Worldwide, Bigger Than Biggie hosts 4 tracks i.e.: Grim Reaper, Purge, Hell, and Shumileta. Like many Hip Hop collections, Bigger Than Biggie is packed with braggadocious undertones as the rapper boasts mainly about his talent. Jodye is also able to maintain his dark drill commitment throughout the EP as everything from the instrumentals to the lyrics in this EP align with his new experimental era.
The EP’s first track Grim Reaper has to be the eeriest of them all. Its ghostly intro borrows a lot from horror movie soundtracks. Jodye raps about several matters such as battling his own demons, and his talent as well as maneuvering the murky industry waters. Nonetheless, the scary song finds balance in the catchy sing-along barz chorus, as well as Jodye’s lyrical flex and ability to eloquently express himself.
Unlike Grim Reaper, Purge has a faster tempo and a distinct UK Drill style. Its prologue features an excerpt from the popular dystopian action horror movie - The Purge, thus achieving the intended mood earlier in the song. Short and sweet, Jodye flaunts his barz on the ominous beats as he compares the effects of his talent to those of the purge, causing a massive shift in the industry.
Hell is the shortest track on the EP. It also has the fastest cadence through which Jodye is able to showcase his ability to diversify his flow. This track is the epitome of Jodye Faneto’s raw and unapologetic lyrical style. It is a demonstration of the endless limits that can be explored outside the purist Hip Hop sound.
Shumileta is the last track in this collection. Jodye compares himself to the lead character in the popular Bongo Horror movie Shumileta by bragging about how his talent is scary to other rappers courtesy of its potential to be the next big thing.
Bigger Than Biggie is a cohesive collection that honors Jodye’s creativity, both thematically and in terms of the message. Furthermore, Jodye also shows off his mastery of Kenyan sheng, and rhymes which resonate with his listeners and promote Kenya’s Hip Hop culture. Moreover, Jodye Faneto’s ability to keep one hooked on a constant rap tempo through symbolism and intelligent rap is very noteworthy.
Overall, Bigger Than Biggie is a landmark collection in Jodye’s music career. It represents a new dawn for the rapper’s style as well as an opportunity to appeal to the niche dark Drill fanbase that has very few East African artists. Jodye’s career reeks of determination and consistency. He is definitely well on his way to ruling Hip Hop charts in Kenya and beyond.
