For those of you who have been following my listing habits since early January in my reviews, I set myself a goal – to beef up my playlist with fresh hip-hop, rap, and R&B tracks. Man, the underground scene’s been on fire lately, and I’ve been looking to discover more artists who are shaking things up. And today we’ve got a really awesome one
I’m going to be looking at the track called ‘Got To Be Real’ by Stoopid Swagg Og. Now, from what I gather, this is a recent drop, so you’ll want to keep your ears peeled for more, and please be sure to go add this to your playlist, and support the artist because, it’s phenomenal work.
What we’ve got here is a prime example of why I love digging into the underground scene. It’s where you find those unfiltered tracks that remind you why you love this style so much in the first place. And I mean I have to say as a journalist, I come across a number of tracks on my desk. So it’s always great to take a listen to something I thoroughly enjoy checking out. And with that said, let’s take a look at what we got.
The intro to ‘Got To Be Real’ sets up with a smooth, old-school vibe that as a fan of that style in the mid 90s, caught my attentio. There’s a recurring instrumental element that makes it way in through the background – a gentle, persistent tone that adds a pretty cool depth to the mix.
As the track builds, I noticed a repeated vocal line – “Let’s go, come on, let’s go” – that helps to establish the rhythm. What’s interesting is the way this vocal is presented. It’s got this subtle, low-end quality to it, almost robotic in nature, but with a muffled edge that keeps it from overpowering the rest of the mix.
This intro serves as a smart build-up, layering elements gradually to create this sort of wonder for what’s to come. It’s a well-crafted opening that manages to pay homage to classic hip-hop sounds I feel. The production here shows a keen ear for detail. That recurring instrumental I mentioned earlier is not just background noise. It’s carefully placed to provide a consistent thread throughout the intro, tying everything together nicely.
I know this line is very quick and it’s just an intro, but it’s really cool. And I do think it’s worth noting. The track progresses with a line that comes in with “You are now tuned into a Stoopid Swagg Exclusive.” It’s a quick opening, but it’s worth noting how melodic this section is. In fact, the entire song carries a melodic quality that really enhances the overall experience.
What follows is a beat drop that packs a punch, but it’s not trying to know you out. It’s letting you stand for a few rounds. It’s impressive how the beat manages to be strong and impactful without overpowering the other elements of the track. There’s a balance here that’s hard to achieve, yet Stoopid Swagg Og pulls it off so well.
The beat has this smooth, almost R&B-like quality to it. As someone who’s always appreciated the fusion of R&B and rap, I find this approach particularly appealing. It creates a rich backdrop for the vocals to play off of. Speaking of vocals, the way the lines are delivered here is noteworthy as well. There’s a flow that complements the beat perfectly, creating a cohesive sound that’s easy to get lost in.
This section of the track demonstrates Stoopid Swagg Og’s ability to blend different styles and influences I feel. The result is a sound that feels fresh and engaging, while still maintaining a connection to the roots of hip-hop and R&B. I don’t know man, it’s just got this really fresh old school style about it. And I think for those of you that are always constantly looking for something that keeps the tradition alive, while creating something in the modern age, I mean here you go. This is definitely it.
The vocal work continues to impress with its subtle robotic effect, adding a unique texture to the delivery. What really stands out is how some of the lines, especially towards the end of certain bars, seem to come from different directions. This clever use of stereo space creates a dynamic experience, particularly noticeable with a good pair of headphones. And my fellow music nerds, you’re going to love this.
The panning technique employed here is top-notch. This kind of attention to detail in the production really elevates the overall quality of the song. Also, one of the strengths of this track lies in its writing. There’s a line that I think will strike a chord with many listeners. It’s a perfect example to the power of well-crafted rap lyrics – they can be deeply personal to the artist, yet universally relatable. And that is the line about trying to craft your day, around 24 hours.
What I appreciate about great writing, and what I’m seeing here, is how it doesn’t always need to be complex or flashy to make an impact. Sometimes, it’s just a few simple words that can hit you. This track has moments like that, where a brief phrase carries so much weight and meaning. This ability to balance creativity with relatability is what sets apart good rap from great rap. Stoopid Swagg Og clearly knows this.
This is one of those tracks where I don’t want to break down every single line. You’ve just got to hear it yourself to really get the creativity. There are so many great references packed in here. As a big fan of the series, I got a kick out of the Prison Break reference, especially the nod to Michael Scofield, played by the awesome Wentworth Miller. The way Stoopid Swagg Og delivers this line is so clever.
I found myself going back and replaying this song over and over, not just because it’s a great listen, but to catch all the little references I might’ve missed the first time around. The writing here is just that good.
To me, this was a song about elf-assertion and personal growth. He appears to be reflecting on his journey through adversity, touching on the pursuit of success despite obstacles. There’s a bit of resilience throughout the piece, with him seeming to address past struggles, but coming out on top.
And we just see this transition from hardship to a more comfortable position. However, he’s not resting on his laurels, instead continuing to push forward and build on the success. Trust and loyalty are also significant themes, we see him addressing past betrayals and the importance of a reliable inner circle. There’s a sense of disillusionment with fake friendships, contrasted with a strong appreciation for true allies.
As we hit the final stretch of the song, everything starts to fade out. The beat, the instrumentation, it all just kind of winds down naturally. And then, bringing it all full circle, it ends with the same “Let’s go” we heard at the beginning. It’s a nice touch that ties the whole thing together.
I’ve got to say I’m thoroughly impressed with ‘Got To Be Real’ by Stoopid Swagg Og. The beat is fan freakin-tastic. But what really stands out is the songwriting – it’s creative and clever without trying too hard. There’s an old-school, smooth R&B vibe running through the song that I really dig. It manages to be flashy in its own way, which is no easy feat in today’s scene. Major props to the production team for pulling this off as well.
I’m particularly drawn to the vocal techniques used here, especially the robotic effects. There’s one line where it comes in strong with a nice fade – it’s not overused, which makes it all the more effective. It’s almost like you’re tuning into a broadcast from another planet, with occasional static breaking through. But instead of disrupting the flow, it actually enhances the overall experience in a big way.
This track is an absolute gold to listen to. I highly recommend checking it out and adding it to your playlist.
