A standout hip-hop track, “Money?” serves as the tonal anchor for the album Don’t Run From the Rain, showcasing a seamless collaboration between Era 51, Blvck Svm, and producer southpaw. The excellent production on the track emphasizes a “spliff-tempo” groove, blending avant-garde hip-hop with lofi sensibilities. By integrating unconventional cash-register foley and dense, late-night textures, the San Francisco-based southpaw creates a dynamic atmosphere. The track especially highlights Era 51’s versatile flow and Blvck Svm’s rhythmic hook.

“Money?” kicks off with gripping mystique. Woozy, warming textures combine with a radio-dial vocal sample feeling, wordless and lushly absorbing as gentle rhythms and cash-register effects intertwine. “Money on my mind, I’m locked in,” Era 51’s captivating vocal presence emerges thereafter, traversing from introspective haziness into escalating charisma. The “broke, not trying to be woke” sequence is especially infectious in its momentary uptick in vocal tempo. “I’m only aligned where the cash is,” Era 51 continues with consuming allure, the insights on all-consuming greed succeeding within the delectably lethargic beat.

The return to the initial vocal lead, referring to a state of being dormant, continues themes of drive and motivation — hopefully coming out the other side with vigor. An absolutely gorgeous final sequence, with echo-y choir vocals, then emanates — bringing “Money?” to a wholly satiating conclusion. Both moody and powerful, “Money?” is a surefire hip-hop success from Era 51, Blvck Svm, and southpaw.

Stream the entirety of Don’t Run From the Rain:

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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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