I originally wrote on Saturday about Brooklyn-born, LA-residing lyricist/producer Chuck Strangers’ latest track, the title song from his upcoming album. However, because reasons, I lost the draft and I couldn’t retrieve it. Technology, amirite? Instead of trying to craft it all again from memory or something, I decided to start from scratch. Sometimes, you’ve got to make some mix before you can make pancakes. They end up a bit more love-filled that way.

The song, “A Forsaken Lover’s Plea,” finds Strangers viewing his relationship with hip-hop (both past and present) as something like a recently-ended breakup. Throughout the song, we hear him lamenting over what could’ve been, but also standing on business about not compromising. This is especially with lines in the hook like “too G to take a knee, still I gave you all of me.” Instead of being something he’s not (or making “hits” with a bunch of big mainstream artists), he stands his ground and lets it be known that, while he loves the culture, he won’t bend to be “accepted.” That said, we also see the lack of love from the culture en masse made Chuck reflect on the game as a whole. We get a man who seems a bit more realistic when it comes to the game.

It also made me look at my own relationship with hip-hop.

As an artist, I too struggle with this. Mark my words: I’m not going to start sounding like NBA YoungBoy (though his sound also has a place in rap). But, I deal with periods of time where I don’t love music like I could. That’s usually either because it becomes draining for a bit or because I get told I’m too “abstract” sonically. Even still, I give it my all and deal with the fallout as it comes. Many artists, from the underground to the mainstream, struggle with giving the game everything and all the love they can and not getting it back.

Because hip-hop is often a bit ageist, older talents come to see that the game is leaving us behind, moving to the “next hot thing.” It happens in all media, but it seems terribly prevalent in hip-hop. Sometimes, you get “oldheads” hopping on newer artists’ stuff that doesn’t even mesh with their overall sound. Sometimes, you get Coi Leray and Busta Rhymes collaborating and it sounds pretty cool. Either way, artists are usually in a race against time, regardless of how much they love hip-hop.

Getting back to “Plea,” the song gives me the warm and fuzzies while also giving me BARS and veteran experiences and knowledge. If you’re like me, which some of you are, you’ll appreciate everything Chuck Strangers does here–and in hip-hop in general. The artist features folks like Joey Bada$$, Erick the Architect and Remy Banks on A Forsaken Lover’s Plea. Bar lovers and lyrical fans, this one will be for you. March 15th can’t come soon enough for this one.

For now, check out the title track above and support dope music in all its forms. Remember: making music is a one-sided, often thankless marriage for some of us. But we still love the game and what it’s taught us and/or given us. Next time you see an artist making something that you don’t really mess with, give them their props for trying something new, maybe give a listen and keep it moving. There’s no need to add more negative energy in hip-hop.