Akron, Ohio-raised rapper PEOPLEZ330 enters the site with his newest project Grace First, a 13-track body of work that dives into his life and the struggles and tribulations he faced as he chases his dreams. The project is chock-full of hard-hitting and soulful beats that form the perfect backdrop for his vivid storytelling style and his commanding flow, both of which go hand in hand.

The first track “Blue Fanta” is a charged-up street banger with a soulful vibe and punchy drums. Here, PEOPLEZ330 lets listeners know the drill as he delivers tandem bars filled with engaging wordplay and couplets, all underpinned with vivid imagery. Lines like “But this strange Blue fanta, I had to blaze that shit up/These laws an’t making sense, we gota change that shit up/How we post our every move but we can’t stay in touch” underpin his deep thoughts on the matter at hand. He is also joined by singer Mz. Pursley, who seals the deal with a soul-stirring vocal performance. This is followed by the laidback summer cut “Drift Away” featuring Faye Love Music, Lokii 2 Eyes and together they give audiences the perfect escapade track ripe with lush textures and smooth rhymes and a memorable hook to match. The next track, “Bae Dreams,” has Byrd and Churchy Lee with the assist, and the result is a modern trap/R&B jam that comes with a classic 90s R&B sample, love-laden rhymes and a sultry hook. On “RayBan Tints,” PEOPLEZ330 blends bravado with urban life stories and gives outsides a glimpse into his world with lines like “Don’t let that pride run against you/we started handing out issues/German rounds hitting tissues/from there is candlelight visuals/Back home the talent’s stacked there but unfortunately they trapped there/That’s a different kind of evil/That demon passed down that make you hate your own people” while “No Panik” raises the ante with it’s high octane energy and showcase of lyricism and storytelling from the rapper. The production has a solemn vocal sample and punchy drums that are underpinned by raw, unadulterated raps.

The project continues to raise the bar with each track and PEOPLEZ330 shows that on “Heavy Reign.” The cinematic backdrop sets the tone as the rapper triumphantly steps into the foreground with poise and charisma.  On “Toastin’ (Interlude)” he takes us back to his early musical days and the moments that reshaped his worldview, while on the title track, he talks about real-life issues ranging from social disenfranchisement, political struggles and the power of self-belief. Backed by punchy drums and soothing vocal sample-driven backdrop, PEOPLEZ330 gets profound with lines like “I like my steak well done with all of the fixes/flow official enough to get a nod from the senate/These weak ass politicians can’t hold our attention/Faking to get a vote without changing the system.”

The project continues with three bonus tracks that are brilliant as well. The first track, “Sunday’s” is a semi-autobiography of some sort and gives another insight into what makes the rapper tick. It is also dope to hear Mz. Pursley is on the cut as she delivers the goods.  “Glitching(Bonus) is an additional banger with engaging rhyme schemes, but the final “Stargazing” closes it out on a reflective note. PEOPLEZ doesn’t shy from showing a different side to his artistry and creativity, but most importantly, his emotional side. He shows his flaws, pays homage to the ones who raised him and pours his pain on wax all at once. Other notable tracks include the aspirational “Journeys,” which tracks the timeline of his growth, while “Prototype” featuring Iverson Lewis details a tale of blossoming love and raw human connection.

Overall, Grace First is a masterclass in storytelling backed by well-crafted beats. Nothing seem out of place and eac track serves a purpose.