The positivist myriad of musical and emotional breadth that Rexx Life Raj brings to the table makes him one of the most exciting and simultaneously underrated artists around. His 2018 EP, California Poppy is a transformative exhibition of his ability to blend hip-hop and R&B – flow and vocals – both of which he has plenty. But it’s also the kind of project that’s worth more than jamming alone. Raj is a gifted storyteller and an impossibly clever lyricist that turns every track into some sort of journey, lesson, or series of puns and punchlines. So naturally, when he hit the streets of London and Berlin as part of a European tour, he emerged with another track innovative in its cross-bred styling and influential beyond the music itself.

 

Never Change, which is coupled with a home video turned cinematographic masterpiece of his trip to Europe, is a coming-of-age tale centered around growing into fame the right way. Seamlessly drifting in and out of rapping and singing, Raj tells his story, thanks his friends, and summons a new level of wor ethic for what’s to come. And by the look of things, we’re all in for a treat.