I’ve got to tell you, there’s an absolutely incredible wellspring of talent flowing out of the Windy City. Chicago has been home to so many of my favorite acts, bands, and artists across the board. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about that place, but it’s like a magnet for creative genius, especially when it comes to genres like punk rock and hip-hop.
Now, as you all know, I made it one of my New Year’s resolutions back in February to immerse myself in as much new hip-hop as I possibly could. And let me tell you, this year has been nothing short of mind-blowing. The amount of fresh, innovative music I’ve discovered has been off the charts. Today, I’m beyond excited to introduce you to an artist who’s got me absolutely buzzing.
I’m talking about the independent powerhouse, Cheryl “CherryRaps” Doyle. She’s dropping a mixtape right at the tail end of this month, as we’re closing out summer. From what I’ve heard, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year that I have personally listened to.
CherryRaps really emerged in 2021, just as we were all starting to emerge from the pandemic haze. I’ve got to admit, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole with her discography, and I’m still reeling from what I found. Her previous work is nothing short of incredible.
One of the things that really struck me about Cherry is how she approached her craft during the challenging times of 2020. She turned to songwriting as a form of catharsis, a way to grapple with anxiety and uncertainty. That emotional investment shines through in every track she’s put out since then.
Her music isn’t just resonating with underground hip-hop heads either. CherryRaps is making a serious name, racking up hundreds of thousands of plays on Spotify. But what really caught my attention is that she’s breaking into mainstream radio play, especially in Chicago. Those Chicago stations know their stuff. Some of the best in the entire country are based in the Windy City.
So today i’m going to look into a few tracks from her upcoming release, “Ghetto Barbie: The Red Queen.” I’ve had the privilege of getting an early listen, and she is bringing something great to the table. I’m eating well with this one. So much great content here.
I’m going to kick things off with the opening track, ‘Did It On Em’. Right from the start, CherryRaps makes her presence known with a brief introduction. The production on this track is seriously impressive. There’s this ‘wah wah’ sound effect that builds up gradually, becoming more prominent as we approach the chorus. It’s a clever bit of audio foreshadowing that’s done so well..
When the beat finally drops, it syncs up perfectly with that ‘wah wah’ effect, creating this seamless transition that’s just so satisfying to the ear. I’ve got to give credit to whoever was behind the mixing board on this one. They knew exactly what they were doing. Running through the beat, there’s this ‘rat-a-tat-tat’ percussion that adds a cool layer to the track. It’s does a great job of keeping you locked in.
Now, I’ve got to address something right off the bat. CherryRaps’ charisma is absolutely off the charts. The way she delivers her lines is so emotive, it’s impossible not to get caught up in it. She effortlessly shifts from sultry to evocative, playing with her delivery in a way that many artists simply don’t. It’s refreshing to hear someone who understands the power of emotion in their performance.
Her flow is nothing short of spectacular too. There are these moments where she builds up the tension, and then the instrumentation cuts out, leaving this pregnant pause before the beat drops hard on the final delivery of specific lines. It’s a technique that’s used sparingly but effectively, creating these pockets of impact that really make you take notice.
The arrangement of this track deserves special mention. At certain points, the beat morphs into something that sounds almost like an alarm or a siren. I’m not sure if that was intentional, but it caught my attention. Lyrically, ‘Did It On Em’ is all about female empowerment and pushing back against societal norms. CherryRaps gives you this mental image with her words, using metaphors to describe her experiences and assert her control.
The track is filled with bravado and an unapologetic confidence that reflects a strong sense of self-worth and agency. She’s challenging traditional gender roles head-on, presenting herself as a powerful and independent figure. This was a awesome opener.
The track ‘Mmhmm’ caught my attention with its clever sampling. It opens with a nod to “And the Beat Goes On” by The Whispers from 1979. Most people might recognize this sample from Will Smith’s “Miami,” but Cherry takes it in a completely different direction. I’ve got to say, the chorus of this track is incredibly infectious. The way she delivers her lines, punctuating them with that titular ‘Mmhmm’, is just so catchy. It’s a simple but effective technique that really drives the point home.
Content-wise, I don’t think shes pulling any punches. She’s making it clear that she’s not here for games or negativity. Her focus is solely on her own grind, and she’s not letting anyone or anything hold her back. There’s a striking line where she addresses the issue of online harassment. She calls out those who stalk her videos and spread negativity, showing she’s aware of the darker side of things but isn’t letting it phase her.
What really struck me about this track is how to me, it seems like she touches on the ups and downs of success. She’s not shy about discussing struggles with losing and regaining her footing. But what’s impressive is her attitude towards these challenges. She doesn’t see them as setbacks, but as hurdles to be overcome. It’s the mindset of a fighter, someone who’s persistent and undeterred by adversity.
Throughout the song, Cherry positions herself as someone who’s moved beyond these issues. She’s emphasizing her growth and her unwavering commitment to her current path. It’s a powerful statement of self-assurance and determination. Very inspiring really.
Now we’re going deep in the heart of “Texas”, which this song really stands out to me because of how brilliantly it creates an atmosphere. The beat has this old country western, folksy vibe that transports you to the Lone Star State. It’s a perfect backdrop for Cherry as she mixes her story between Chicago and Texas and everywhere else. The production does an incredible job of placing you right in the middle of her tale.
This song is an unfiltered look into her life. She’s not holding anything back, offering us a candid and gritty story that spans various phases of her journey. From personal challenges to legal troubles and relationship drama, she’s laying it all out there.
She kicks things off by reflecting on her journey from Chicago to Texas and back again. She doesn’t shy away from discussing her time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and how that experience shaped her perspective. It’s clear that these legal troubles have played a significant part of her life.
I love how openly she airs her grievances about the justice system. There’s a particularly strong moment where she describes a judge as being “colder than Alaska.” You can feel her frustration at being caught in a system that felt unfair and unyielding.
As we move through the track, she takes us on a journey through her relationships, and it’s clear she’s faced her share of disappointments. And she cuts deep when describing the people who’ve let her down. There’s Mack, who she paints as deceitful, and Lu, who she found even more untrustworthy. Through these anecdotes, she makes it crystal clear that she’s done playing games and dealing with dishonesty.
What I find great about “Texas” is how she blends these personal anecdotes with broader reflections on trust, relationships, and resilience. She’s not just telling her story, I mean we’re getting a look for us to learn from her experiences.
You know how sometimes you get a melody stuck in your head and you just can’t shake it? That’s exactly what happened to me with ‘Choir Practice’. I’m going to let my nerd flag fly for a second here – for some reason, this track reminds me of the Vanilla Dome map theme from Super Mario World. I know it’s not actually a sample, but there’s something about that baseline that hits the same way. There might even be a similar vibe in a Final Fantasy 7 theme, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Anyway, I digress. The point I’m trying to make is that the instrumentation, arrangement, and beat on this track are really something special. It’s got that earworm quality about it here. And once again, she is showing off those charismatic vocal effects with her emotive delivery – it just sounds so good.
This track takes a direct shot at those who engage in online beefs or let their relationships affect their self-worth in the first half that I really enjoyed. She criticizes the trivial pursuits of individuals more concerned with social media drama than personal growth. Her lines give me this idea that these people are out of touch and misdirected, focusing on petty grievances rather than meaningful achievements.
There is also like this section where she addresses rumors and criticisms head-on. She dismisses concerns about her past and flaunts her attractiveness and success. Her words here emphasize her strength and resolve, warning others not to underestimate her or provoke her. She is someone who stands out and will have that respect, not just in the rap game but in life.
The album closes out with ‘Blessed Freestyle’, and man, does it leave an impression. There’s this really infectious melody that almost sounds like a whistle tune playing in the background. It’s layered over these lower registry keys that drive the main melodic section of the track. I really love this contrast – it’s done so well. I just love the way she flows in every single one of these songs, and this track is no exception. It’s just oozing confidence.
‘Blessed Freestyle’ is as unapologetic as CherryRaps herself. This song mixes swagger with a bit of playful class. She puts a clever spin on the classic “99 problems” trope, twisting it to highlight her skills and allure. Her “throat” is presented as the ultimate problem-solver, blending a confident attitude with a bit of some humor. She is also a lady who isn’t shy about her high standards. She makes it clear she prefers to keep things interesting and lucrative.
This mixtape from her has been an incredible discovery for me. What an absolutely massive talent she is. Her flow is unbelievable – it’s unlike anything I’ve heard this year. She’s so creative with her delivery and her lines, and this mixtape is just packed with content. You get 16 tracks here that are all heavy hitters.
Take ‘C4’ for example. It might be the shortest track on the album, but it still packs a ton of content. That’s just one showcase to the way CherryRaps writes her songs and delivers her lines. She doesn’t waste a single second.
I’m absolutely thrilled to have gotten the chance to listen to this release and her work. It’s one of the most creative and original albums I’ve personally listened to this year. CherryRaps brings great with each and every track.
I’m excited to add this to my playlist once it comes out. And she has definitely made a fan out of me with “Ghetto Barbie: The Red Queen”.
