Ghais Guevara: A New Voice in Abstract Hip-Hop

By: Malik the Villain

Ghais Guevara is an artist I have been hearing about for a while, and he has a very lengthy mixtape catalog. He is a promising prospect who deserves to be mentioned alongside artists like JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown, and Billy Woods when it comes to the abstract expressionism in his music. When I first listened to him, I found his style to be unique and experimental, utilizing samples you wouldn’t expect, featuring great song structure, and showcasing a strong delivery. With this being his first studio album, he does not disappoint at all.

The album excels in lyricism, production, and storytelling, effectively creating a concept album with two acts based around a character named Goyard, who has achieved legendary hip-hop status after surpassing the rappers who were once on top of the game. In the second act, he reveals how all of the attention and acclaim can be damaging to oneself, conveying his thoughts and experiences.

As someone who loves the art of music production, I find the production on this album amazing, especially since it is all handled by Ghais himself. It feels like a hardcore gangsta rap album for the digital age, with moments of jazzy reprieve, such as on “Leprosy,” and catchy soul samples like on “Camera Shy,” which is a glamorous and luxurious rap song about living fashionably. Tracks like “3400” and “I Gazed Upon The Trap With Ambition” offer an upbeat trap sound, while songs like “Bystander Effect,” “The Apple That Scarcely Fell,” and “Branded” create a menacing atmospheric feel alongside cutthroat lyricism. The features from ELUCID, Yoko McThuggin, FARO, and McKinley Dixon are also strong. I particularly enjoyed ELUCID’s feature for its edgy approach, but McKinley Dixon’s contribution stood out the most for its ability to complement Ghais’s style and flow.

Ghais’s performance on this album is incredible; he adeptly changes his flow to match the diverse beat selections. His ability to transition from a rap superstar dominating the game to a fallen rapper reflecting on past decisions showcases great storytelling and solidifies this album as a true concept piece. Overall, the album is well-balanced, with two intertwining acts that explore how fame can make or break a person. Ghais is an amazing hip-hop artist, and with this being his debut album, the potential he demonstrates is certainly there to become a top artist in the game.

Favorite Tracks: The Old Guard is Dead, 3400, I Gazed Upon The Trap With Ambition, Camera Shy, Bystander Effect, The Apple That Scarcely Fell, Shaitan’s Spiderweb

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑**(9.2/10)**