KC Star is a Los Angeles, USA-based pop artist who has just come to my attention thanks to his vibrant and irreverent new EP THE MIXTAPE (VOL. 1).

By Graeme Smith

KC Star’s sound combines rap and hip hop with pop to create something that feels very relevant to the modern commercial sound, while also staying fiercely independent. The pop world is saturated, so it’s understandably hard to stand out. Yet, that’s exactly what KC manages to do with this EP.

The love affair starts right from the off with the sassy dance track U LIKE BOYS. Over a bouncing, throwback beat, KC delivers smooth verses filled with a simple yet rich story of repressed desires. It feels fun and empowering and provides the perfect opening for the mixtape.

B!TCH gives us a darker edge while losing none of its dance-ablilty. The vocal delivery is quick fire and the lyrics read the track’s imagined antagonist for filth. JEALOUS delves deeper into KC’s hip-hop influences with strong bass and exciting percussion. BOYS SUCK ramps up the drama. Lyrically, it’s a revenge track and you get the sense of its catharsis through its laidback vocals and rich hip-hop instrumentals.

KLEENEX – Remix closes the EP. A collaboration with Austen The Poet, it gives the EP a different dimension right at its end. Austen and KC’s vocals work well together and the lyrics take no prisoners.

If you’re in the queer scene, then you are definitely going to eat this EP up. Even if you’re not, there’s a lot of joy to be found from this collection. KC Star’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics provide some wonderful entertainment, as does his vocal delivery. While listening to the EP, I was reminded of a personal favourite album, Uffie’s Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans, and fans of her will love THE MIXTAPE (VOL. 1). It’s also a must-listen for followers of Nicki Minaj or Charlie XCX. You can give the EP a listen below.