I recently sat down with with Asiare and Bigsmooth for another installment of the “Independent Artist Spotlight”. You can view it at this link In our conversation we discussed their most recent release, their joint EP “Rap Snacks” The EP was only 3 songs, but it was impacting and powerful from start to finish. In our conversation I uncovered that these two have been cook’n together for nearly decade. I can imagine that’s what makes them sound so in tune with one another. Bigsmooth definitely knows how to build a track around Asiare’s sound and Asiare knows how to compliment a Bigsmooth beat. The two together sound like they could be one of the best rapper/producer combos in CHH!
The EP starts off with “Three16” which by far was my favorite song because it was the setup to the EP. Bigsmooth Radio, which I later found out was only a performance setup needs to be a real thing. However, his hosting on the track was superb! First of all I’m from the South so the beat selection was incredible. What I loved most about this track was that Bigsmooth switched it up with each verse that Asiare spit. Seemingly Bigsmooth was switching between regional sounds which I thought was genius.
Asiare is a problem for real. He came harder and sped up his flow with every verse. I was amazed by what I heard from him on this track. In the interview you’ll hear me ask him to break down parts of his last verse and this is what he said. ” I started off with the Canaanite line and essentially you know trying to give whoever I’m talking to encouragement to go talk to God. I say there’s a man better than me. He died so you can have life I’m taking John 3 16. I gave 3 sixteens Corinthians 1-3 Then I then go into saying that I gave 3 sixteens. Within 3 sixteens I’m giving you 16 bars.” All that to say he is crazy with the bars!
Track 2: Arrivin
Arrivin reminds me of Andre 3000 in his intro verse from the “International Players Anthem”. I love the cadence of Asiare’s flow on this track. I thought the hook was amazing! It was so catchy that it stayed in my head long after I stopped playing the song. Only two verses on this one, but it was such a strong record. Bigsmooth was sensational on the production. I love the use of the snare and hi-hat. It wasn’t too much, but it was enough to affect the beat and make it sound full. The production as whole I felt definitely had a winning sound if you a hip hop fan from any region.
Track 3: For My Good
This track me showed the versatility in Bigsmooth’s production sound. The track felt like a Southern influence with a bit of old school West Coast. I thought it was a phenomenal way to close out the EP. Asiare is such a great hook-writer. I love the melody he brings to his hook. I can tell it’s intentional with the mode he’s in. In our interview I asked if about his process. He said he goes where the Holy Spirit leads him. Asiare really knows how to make the hook and the story come alive with the track. I enjoyed his flow pattern on this track. When I think about who said his top 5 influences were, I hear a bit of their compliments on this track.
Shoutout to Asiare and Bigsmooth putting together a solid EP for fans. I truly think if you’re a lover of hip hop this EP has something to satisfy every fan’s taste. The engineering on the project was solid too. I think this project shows the talent of both Asiare and Bigsmooth and what they contribute to Christian hip hop as a whole. I hope that you’ll go and take a listen to full compliment of each of their catalogs. I’ve listed a link below to “Rap Snacks” and to their artists profiles on Spotify.
