Uprising rapper/songwriter Kenner Wells delivers his new project Good Pups Get Pets with much gusto. The 8-track body of work gives listeners a glimpse into his life and his experiences with daily struggles like financial freedom, love, lust and finding inner peace.

The project starts with “Famous”, a thumping track that showcases Kenner’s impassioned flow and knack for penning insightful bars with a touch of bravado. He touches on the subject of fame and the pros and cons that come with it. Lines like “Discretion is lost/I’m not really trying to cause a big sensation/I’m just talking about my ge-ge-ge-generation that wanna be …famous” ponder on how modern society especially young teens seek fame and notoriety. He is joined by Izzy Gambino who adds a haunting vocal performance to the track. “Dance With The Devil” is made up of a cinematic violin section layered over a punchy head-nodding drum and a thick pulsating bassline. Here, Kenner and Drodie Texas talk about the consequences of selling one’s soul to the devil. While the ominous element is present, the rappers inject a bit of humour into their raps which adds some extra emotional layer to the record. The third track “Jonesin’ “ sees Kenner digging deep to give listeners a glimpse into his life, the daily struggles that keep him awake and how he finds an outlet to escape from it all. The track has multiple soundscapes and different musical styles which Kenner uses to full effect. The first part is a dark punchy boom-bap beat which sets the dark tone as we venture into Kenner’s troubled mind. The track then switches into a mellow and warm beat with somewhat bright aesthetics alluding to the outlet Kenner has been seeking and we get a melodic performance from him as he finds his footing and basks in the comfort of his own making.

 

On the soulful guitar-driven “One of Us Has to Lose”, he teams up with vocalist Attxla for a reflective track that explores the dynamics of blossoming love and the what-ifs. Kenner’s heartfelt lyrics take precedence and detail how relationships don’t usually turn out how you’d expect them to. He rues on the past like “See now we broke the joystick, guess its ain’t a toy shit/ if this is a game, am I insane for feeling disappointed/We were meant to enjoy this” and proceeds to voice his anger at the unexpected outcome. In the end, he eventually realizes that love is a losing game, for him anyway. Next up is the pop-infused “Puppy Love (Babydoll)” which blends bright funky guitar plucks and crisp drum grooves underpinned by Kenner’s playful melodic chorus and storytelling skills. Here, he takes us on a love journey with a special someone. The track is one of the bright moments on the project and it’s a subtle display of vulnerability in Kenner’s way. “For An Old Flame” closes out the love trilogy with its funky flip of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie”. Using the acoustic guitars and punchy drums, Kenner pours adulation on his old flame and reminisces on the good times they had and how this love still lingers on. Kenner doesn’t shy away from being candid and admits that he still has feelings even though the situation is a lot different than before.

 

The last two songs “Workin’ Away” featuring NICE KAYLEE and the posse cut “Prison Crocs”  features Drodie Texas, Attxla, and NICE KAYLEE showing different sides to his artistry. “Workin’ Away” is a laidback tune that explores Kenner’s life in a snapshot. From slaving away at a 9 to 5, getting bogged down by the daily pressures and losing track of time with his loved one. He shows regret but in the same vein, knows he has to put in work to get his life together before chasing love. In a nutshell, he is busy chasing money and he is determined to catch it.  “Prison Crocs” is a solemn and heartfelt tune that talks about the hardships of prison life from the lens of some of his friends who are stuck in the system. He doesn’t mince his words on the corrupt justice system, or crooked COs who try to make life hellish for inmates. He is joined by Drodie Texas,Attxla, and NICE KAYLEE who all add their own 2 cents to the matter.

 

Overall, Good Pups Get Pets, is a cohesive project with a handful of interesting topics that many listeners can relate to. Kenner is nice with the songwriting and can switch from being boastful to being vulnerable and emotional at the drop of a hat which gives his songs depth and versatility.

 

Keep up with Kenner Wells | Instagram

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