Imagine if Asher Roth’s college rap days were in Baltimore. On top of that, imagine if Asher was a Black artist who knew his way around more contemporary sounds versus just boombap. I think you’d get Faded Flex as a result. The Baltimore-based artist’s first single, “Johns Hopkins,” is an interesting track.

It’s melodic AF. It’s lyrical while still being a bop (even throwing some consciousness into the mix). Meanwhile, the video reminds me of something you’d get if you mixed OFWGKTA with the OnlyFans generation. That is, it’s sleek and abrasive at the same time, colorful and spoofy. Flow-wise, Flex doesn’t really employ the typical “Baltimore flow.” Instead, he goes into the track opting for an A$AP Ferg sort of thumping flow over the piano-and-bass-heavy beat.

It’s a great song, one that grabbed my attention because of the way the visuals quite literally pop off the screen. As an artist who went to a Maryland-area college, this feels like something I would’ve made if I was part of the Zoomers versus the Millennials. That said, I’m definitely here for this one, mainly because of its creativity. Check out the visuals below and remember to do the thing. Support dope music in all its forms.