Here I Am

Underground Canadian rapper Ezza of Choom Gang unveils his 9th solo album titled Here I Am. The 13-track body of work is a snapshot of Ezza’s legacy as an emcee whose influences spread across different coasts and cities. From the bouncy beats of the South to the grimy Street sounds of Buffalo to the dark, atmospheric Toronto style, Ezza gives audiences everything and more.

The project starts on a poignant note with “Lake America,” which references the recent Lake Ontario dispute started by President Trump. Over a brooding drumless backdrop filled with eerie vocal samples and moody pads, Ezza details a gloomy state of affairs with lines like

“Live from Lake America/Staring at Hell’s barrier, somehow scarier/ staring down at the barrel of a derringer/Profound characters, make way for the crown carriers”

The effect of his laidback and near-nonchalant flow is undeniable here and sets the tone for the rest of the project. The following track “Funky” has an offbeat sound design/groove and samples vocals from the classic Lords of the Underground track. Here, Ezza opts for a playful vibe and flexes his lyrical biceps with a laidback energy, referencing unexpected themes with an underlying adult motif; with a running time of less than 2 minutes, the track kind of stops abruptly. “Serotonin Syndrome” explores the adrenaline rush of living la vida loca. The production is dark and cinematic with a touch of urgency; here, Ezza tells the story of being neck-deep in activities that could derail his life with bars like

“I be on it, I be in it, I keep going like a mission/ I just feel as though I’m living/chopping dope up in the kitchen/Left the beam up on the counter, wifey found it now she’s livid”

On “What’s Grief?” and “Devotion,” we get to hear two different sides to Ezza’s personality.  “What’s Grief?” is solemn and introspective as Ezza talks about dealing with loss and the never-ending pain that comes with it. He acknowledges the reality by using a personal coping mechanism to cushion the pain. “Devotion” is a dark story that focuses on what makes him tick. He doesn’t shy away from being candid and unapologetic from start to finish.

Ezza’s poetic style and laidback but expressive flow carry throughout and work well with the unorthodox/experimental soundscape laid before him. Topic-wise, he can switch from introspective to braggadocio without missing a bit, but his strength lies in how he puts the lyrical imagery together and his versatility. Tracks like “Here I am” show a playful side as he employs stream of consciousness with a touch of bravado, while “Emphatic” dives into Ezza’s psyche with lines like

“What you talking ‘bout/You said I don’t have to think/Just keep one eye open wink wink/Then I woke up cold sweats, oh heck, where’s the sink?how I go from so blessed to so stressed in a blink/Grateful that I’m not dead or in the bink”

Here, Ezza take stock of his life and shows appreciation for everything he has been through. “To Make, to leave Behind” featuring Yung Next is the first feature on the project, and the chemistry between both artists is undeniable; Yung Next’s booming vocals cut through the ethereal backdrop like a chainsaw, while Ezza’s high-pitched vocals complement the track. Rappers AYOO BIGZ and  BOOGIE MASON appear on “Wear My Helmet” and give a brilliant performance alongside Ezza. The production has a classic soul/boombap vibe and is punctuated by well-crafted bars with a feel-good theme that gets the work done.

“Pray For Florence” is a reflective track that finds Ezza pouring his thoughts on wax for close to 2 minutes. He leaves out the gimmicky hooks and just goes for the jugular with the bars, while “Free My Soul” is about the true cost of liberty and self-autonomy. Bolstered by a bouncy but dark backdrop, Ezza talks about finding his true purpose and goals as he wades through the white noise and madness around him. “Spell” is a playful adult-themed track that also showcases another playful performance filled with surprising moments but mostly humour and irreverence

“Sheesh put a groove on it, drop it down low/Diving in that pool water I got different strokes/I don’t mean to boast, butter that ass like toast”

The final track, “Down Good,” is a bouncy, bass-heavy track with a catchy hook. It features Wingman777, and together the duo deliver a no-holds-barred performance with a somewhat memorable hook. The overall sound is quite different from the rest of the project, but I guess Ezza wants to end things on a not-so-gloomy note, and we can respect that.

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