Left-of-center emcee of all things energetic and electronically-nuanced, TyriqueOrDie is an artist of particular yet not particularly polarizing auditory aesthetic. Something unavoidably lovable defines his approach with bounce and approachability, hip-hop and electronica without pushing away hardcore ears of either traditional realm’s fanbases. Like the name of some terrible Gucci Mane produced science fiction space thriller, his latest release, Traphouse 4000, could happily soundtrack such a film. But it is also much more. 

 

A happy medium between hyper-electronic production and lyrically-profound rap has never been done so seamlessly middle-grounded. And that’s not to say that Traphouse 4000 is a safe play. I mean, how could it be?

 

Instead, it’s courageous and authentic in a way that really draws no correlation of reminiscence. Bold, colorful, and continuously in indecisive shuffle, Traphouse 4000 might as well be labeled completely indefinable. And for where music continues to head, that’s a wonderful thing.