Rising LA rapper Khern$  unveils Brunch, a 6-track collaborative EP with rapper SmoothDaWolf. The EP is a conceptual project that follows the daily activities of women on the weekend. It plays out like a journey, documenting every step, from preparing themselves for brunch, getting their drinks and food, soaking in the fun, enjoying each other’s company and heading back home to their significant others for a cozy session.

The project starts with “ShortStack,” a mid-tempo jam comprising dreamy chords, soft vocal samples and snapping drums. Here, both rappers pen adulation-filled verses as they exalt the positive attributes of their respective ladies. From reminding them of how special they are to words of encouragement to push them to achieve their goals.  SmoothDaWolf comes through with his laidback flow and lines like “Never type of dude who hold you back, don’t be mistaken/ Go and chase your dream shorty, nothing short of greatness/Go get that new whip baby, drive it off the lot/Your potential way too high and I get anything you want,” which underscore his willingness to support his woman. Khern$ steps into the fray on the third verse as he brings it home with “You the one they wanna be like, they wanna take your spot but you’re a strategist/dressed in amethyst, you my rock/lets keep it simple, I love your dimple, lets make some guap,” where he exalts his lady with glowing attributes.  Once the setting is set, listeners get a clear view of the scene as the women are comfortably dressed up and ready to enjoy the rest of the day. This then leads into “Show Off,” which has a somewhat moody synth-driven backdrop with punchy drums. Khern$ leads the chorus section with a repetitive hook (with Black Cactus on the background vocals and piano arrangement) that pays homage to the ladies’ style and decorum. The track focuses on women having their space and enjoying themselves. It must be noted, both emcees bring their A-game and drop gems on how they treat their respective ladies. SmoothDaWolf closes the track on the final verse with lines like “For the night, take the weight up off your chest, baby breathe/Go out with your girls and make some timeless memories,” showing a sense of independence as he believes women should have autonomy and create their own happiness outside their relationship. The third track, “Bottomless Mimosas,” is an upbeat party anthem for the ladies, and it’s set in a vibrant club scene. While I’m not particularly fond of the beat, the song is much needed as it adds to and continues the timeline. The ladies are now grooving on the dancefloor after sipping bottomless mimosas, and the only logical thing to do is dance the night away.

The combination of Khern$ and SmoothDaWolf has a perfect contrast with the former’s smooth flow, while the latter’s gruff voice complements each other on tracks. Both have equally engaging songwriting and lyricism and are versed in storytelling, which makes each track stand out in terms of style and delivery. The track “1/1” has an atmospheric vibe that is both relaxing and somewhat dreamy. Here, Khern$ and SmoothDaWolf take turns in detailing the feminine attributes of women. While they do handle vocal duties on most of the tracks, the R&B/hiphop ballad “Spillin’ Over” features singer/songwriter Miz.Clover, which serves as her solo. Bolstered by downtempo hip-hop drums and soulful chords and ethereal pads, the singer delivers sultry melodic runs which evoke nostalgia and yearning, and it’s perfect to showcase her vocal range and also adds a transition to the story as the ladies head back home to their lovers. The final track, “Taken Care Of,” is a thoughtful and adoration-filled track that helps bring the EP to a grand closing. Over the warm and reflective soundscape, the emcees once again pen heartfelt bars to the women who shaped their lives for the better. SmoothDaWolf starts with lines like “most pretty soul of all be the soil that grow a tree/teaching me some things that I didn’t know about me so no matter what in my eyes, you always gonna be a queen.” Khern$  adds his cents with lines like “I wanna plug your soul directly to mine/I wanna know your trauma so I can learn to provide.”

At the end, Brunch is quite an enjoyable listen as it sticks to the script and provides a seamless blend of heartfelt, candid lyrical display over well-crafted beats that bump in the whip.

Keep up with Khern$ | Instagram : Spotify

Keep up with SmoothDaWolf | Instagram