Dayton, Ohio-raised rapper/songwriter D. Knight’s new project Kids With Ambition is a 12-track body of work that centers on his journey through life. Traversing the unforgiving world as a young black man with hopes and dreams, he realized that nothing is granted. Emboldened by the never-ending struggles and the air of negativity and despondency, D.Knight’s resolve to find his purpose and chase his dreams continues to push him further. The project is produced entirely by Ash Matthews, who gifts the rapper with a mix of underground and soulful soundscapes that add colour to his vivid storytelling.

The first track, “The Reassurance,” opens the floodgates of emotions as D.Knight expresses frustrations and at the same time, he holds on to a glimmer of hope. Lines like “And one day, you would penetrate, a lot of niggaz fall short/I pray yu got a different fate to reach the monumental place/Gotta sculpt it out for yourself, you gotta chip away/I’m a young vet that evolved from the beginner phase” underpin the mental struggles to overcome self-doubt and the thick air of naysayers trying to derail his movement. This leads into the uplifting “Late Bloomers” featuring ME3CH. The track is an anthem for the late bloomers, whose pace seems invisible to others, but the slow pace is what leads them to greatness. Next is “Ambitious Kids,” an insightful track that pays homage to those who continue to find their purpose in this game called life. D.Knight’s words of encouragement goes unnoticed as he sings “Cool out and stay up, we just going through life/I know what to do now, do now/ and wake up, tomorrow’s never promised but we not gonna wait up.” The track features singer  Juno on the background vocal duties. “Nightmares” explores the pros and cons of following one’s dreams. The track has a scenic aesthetic that adds to D Knight’s vivid lyricism, which dives into the hard work and mentally draining activities that come with success. Next is the reflective “Smile More” featuring singer Feyth M , who adds a soothing melodic performance on the chorus section. Here, we get to see another vulnerable moment as D Knight reminds us of the down times and how he walks through each day with a smile on his face, even though he is struggling inside.

So far on the project, the production has been crisp and soulful. Ash Mathews sure knows what soundscape works for what topic. From the reflective, solemn to the hopeful, the beats he provided truly complement the overarching topic. “Take It Easy” brings listeners closer to D Knight’s childhood experiences and how they shaped him into adulthood. Over Ash Matthews’ warm guitar-driven arrangement that oozes melancholy, the rapper gets candid as he talks about self-doubt, growing pains and maturity. “Nosebleeds” is an upbeat track that celebrates life and the power of making a way when there is none. Lines like “Focused on the wrong shit, that was for entertainment/Could see the time flying by like it’s been stimulating/Learned early when you got a dream, to get a patience/cooped up in the crib like what it fits, fuck all that waiting” underscore D Knight’s work ethic and never say die mindset. The following track, “Wanderlust Interlude,” is a short semi-auto biographical piece that details his growth, the different characters he met in life who inspired him in one shape or form, while the final track, “We On Right Now,” brings the project full circle on a positive note. D Knight embodies the spirit of a go-getter whose input has paid off, and now he can enjoy the fruits of his labour with the people who stood by him.

Other notable tracks include the aspirational “Perfect Song to Play,” “Sacrifices,” and “Inner Child.” These cuts highlight different moments in D Knight’s life, from finding grace in the little mercies life offers to the sacrifices made to achieve his goals. He gives audiences little snapshots into his life’s travails and successes and much more.