A collaboration from Maffmatix and Charlton Banks, “DEAD” pairs grimy, cinematic hip-hop production with sharp vocal interplay and eerie melodic details. The track brings together Maffmatix’s artful approach to music and visual storytelling with Charlton Banks’ complementary delivery, building around reflections on mortality, personal accountability, and the determination to keep pursuing one’s ambitions.

An autumnal soundscape, fit for Halloween, resonates throughout the production alongside fantastic hip-hop vocal flows from Maffmatix and Charlton Banks. The famous quote “now I am become Death” intertwines with pit-pattering percussion and a pulsing sense of momentum. “There’s no rest for the wicked, when you wrestle a beast,” the initial vocal presence stirs, fondly reminiscent of Aesop Rock in the catchy flow and tonal disposition. “How many selfish actions did I muster up?” an ongoing reflection continues, beckoning “don’t cry when I’m dead” as an array of stutter-y, catchy vocal cut-ups build into the next vocal section.

The ensuing sequence, lamenting “it’s hard to breathe” and how “opportunities freeze,” envelops in its bell-chiming and haunting, occasional wordless vocal backing. “But after life, comes death, and I can’t rest yet,” the memorable ruminations continue, capturing mortality and ambition with a striking beat and vocal performances. “DEAD” is a fantastic collaboration from Maffmatix and Charlton Banks.

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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.

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