Rayhan brings tragedy and comedy with personal new hip-hop EP, HIGH NOON.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by @adrhilts

A rapper, actor and sketch comedian from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Rayhan is a multi-talented artist who is appearing on our pages for the first time through his new EP, HIGH NOON. Inspired by the experience of moving away from his community and into white spaces as his acting career progressed, the EP also tackles struggles with depression and addiction.

The EP’s journey gets underway with the blend of percussive textures, samples, quickfire rap and humorous lyrics that is FOREVER SOLID INTRO. Rayhan’s style is immediately on display. Like Tyler, The Creator, he doesn’t take himself too seriously while spitting some serious bars.

Emo rap elements bring the feels while throwback hip-hop give things a touch of the classic. Evil Strings, Pure Heart is a track that’s rich with atmosphere while Good Looking Rapper is stripped-back braggadocio. HIGH NOON CRAY is an intense vignette at the heart of the EP. Universe of Love slows things down with a sultry moment before FLY LIL RAY OUTRO closes the record in bombastic style, throwing away any self-doubt.

I’m not the biggest fan of hip-hop so it takes something special for a record in the genre to catch my attention. That’s exactly what Rayhan’s new EP is. Thanks to its unique style, clever lyrics and personal feel, it’s definitely a contender for EP of the year for me.

HIGH NOON is out now and you can give it a listen below.