Long Beach, California-based rapper/producer MGermain caught our ears with his new album, DIY. The 12-track body of work is a self-produced project that explores MGermain’s roots, trials, tribulations and experience as a young man navigating this unforgiving world. Originally from Austria, he moved to the West Coast in 2007 to pursue his American dream and he would later release his debut mixtape, American Dream in 2010 under a different nom de plume, fast forward to 2025, and the rapper now has a new lease on life and brings something different to the forefront.

The project starts with “Lock In,” an aspirational track about self-belief. Over the solemn piano riffs and sparse mellow drums, MGermain shares candid thoughts on chasing one’s goals even when the odds are high. The next track “Here We Go Again” uses a pop-esque synth, and plucky downtempo trap drums and is underpinned by MGermain’s laidback and somewhat unassuming flow and confident lines like “I did all of this on my own/Can’t nobody replicate but my clone/And I’ll never forget where I came from/Wherever I go that won’t change none” which underscores his go-getter spirit. The next two tracks “Pressure” and “Hear The Rhythm” dive into real-time issues ranging from self-development, living a purpose-driven life and knocking out obstacles, metaphorically speaking.

Production-wise, although, MGermain started producing during the pandemic his sound is reminiscent of the mid/late 2000s era in hip-hop. His use of original instrumentation gives the tracks a nice touch but I must add his drums are mostly laidback and hushed, the overall ambiance is soothing, and relaxing and carries audiences along. Examples include the pop-R&B infused “Waiting So Long,” and the soulful samples on “Reminds Me Of A Story.” The latter captures that early Kanye sampling era while the former evokes nostalgia for older R&B tracks. Topic-wise, MGermain continues to unveil details about his progression in life and the hurdles he had to overcome especially the big step he took moving from Europe to pursue his dreams in the US of A. Not one to be stuck on one topic, MGermain switches things up on “Watch The Magic Happen” as he displays lyrical dexterity flexing his verbal muscles over an atmospheric soundscape. “Just Living” dives into MGermain’s life and here he shows appreciation for everything and everyone around him. From good friends, families, a good job and the flexibility to live his dreams, he does not take anything for granted and he symbolizes this in the chorus as follows “The people that did me wrong, I forgive ‘em/I’m chilling all day long, I’m just living.”

For the most part, MGermain handles the recording, production, mixing and writing and the only feature comes on “I Need You Right Now” with singer/songwriter Lindsey Joi handling hook duties. The love track shows MGermain’s vulnerable side as we see him exploring the complex and tumultous relationship he experiences with someone. Lindsey Joi on the other hand delivers an airy and soul-stirring melodic performance to tie things together. This is followed by the solemn and reflective track “Wouldn’t Even Listen” where MGermain reaffirms his past decisions that led him to this point and how he is making good of all the opportunities that he was given. The project closes out with two tracks “Mehr AIs Rap” and “Gehe Meinen Weg” where MGermain raps in German on both tracks. It’s an interesting choice to end on this note as he reminds us of his Austrian roots.

Overall DIY, lives up to its title. MGermain is fully hands-on with his music and he doesn’t stray from his sound. From using original compositions, some sampling and relatable songwriting, he shows a different style of hip-hop anchored on integrity and introspection.