Prior to this submission, I wasn’t as privy to Jamaal Matters as I could’ve been. The Raleigh, NC artist has a way about him that reminds me of Curren$y meets Baltimore artist score|swayze. That’s to say that Jamaal’s flow is smooth while his lyrics hit listeners with a healthy dose of “we gon’ make it” and “don’t let my calmness fool you.”

That is especially true for Matters’ “Take Yo Chain.” On this particular track, Jamaal and Tap discuss what it means to be a “wavy n*gga with intelligence” while still being a “real man [who] evolves” in modern American society. While neither artist is in the streets, they gained street intelligence and learned the game young. On top of that, they’re using their intellect to make it be known that, while they’re underground for now, the people love what they’re putting down. In other words, their path continues to brighten while other who fake walk down an increasingly dimmer road.

As an indie artist from Baltimore, I’ve had to remind people both that I wasn’t out running anymore and hadn’t been since before puberty. On that same token, I’ve also had to remind people that I am still a Baltimore native. While I could switch back to the “old me,” I’ll be 36 this year and my oldest kid turns 13 in a few weeks. There’s no point. I still, however, rap for people who’ve been on both sides of the fence (plus the mental health advocacy stuff, but that’s a given). I know that my base story isn’t that unique, even if my situations and scenarios are. Because of this, I will use what I’ve learned to teach people about what to do and what not to do while also making it known I’m not the same person I was twenty-some years ago, just as Jamaal and Tap do on “Chain.” In other words, I’m here for this song and its energy, since I’m older now, have more to live for and less tolerance for BS. While I’ve “been there,” I don’t need to go there anymore.

Getting back to “Take Yo Chain,” the sample and the visuals are great. They both help listeners focus on JM’s plight as a man and an artist. The beat is a simple-ish chop, but it’s highly effective in letting Jamaal and Tap speak their truths–while also talking their shit. It’s boombappy enough for the purists, but the bass thumps at the right level. The visuals feature Jamaal performing and working on his craft, as you should. So if you need something that’ll grab you but also make you feel yourself a little bit, check this one out and support dope music in all its forms.