The relentless workload of releasing several projects in a single year is something that few artists can handle. All of which are completely developed, self-contained pieces of work in the discography of the aforementioned artist.
The relentless workload of releasing several projects in a single year is something that few artists can handle. All of which are completely developed, self-contained pieces of work in the discography of the aforementioned artist.
The relentless workload of releasing several projects in a single year is something that few artists can handle. All of which are completely developed, self-contained pieces of work in the discography of the aforementioned artist. Fewer musicians have put out as many albums in a single year than East Coast rapper 38 Spesh. In the past several years, this Rochester, New York native has put out more projects than most rappers do in their lifetime. Not to mention managing the careers of musicians like female spitter Che’ Noir who are signed to his TRUST COMES FIRST label. Once upon a time, Benny The Butcher was also housed on the label. This dedication to the game won’t come as a surprise to anyone who are aware with the rapper’s background.
38 Spesh has been honing his skill for more than 20 years; at the young age of 14, he released his debut record. He was raised on the New York icons of the 90s and 2000s hip-hop scene, especially Nas, Jay-Z, and Kool G Rap (with whom he eventually recorded a joint album). In the late 2000s, Spesh’s career took off after he made an appearance on the SiriusXM program Invasion Radio and was highlighted in the highly regarded XXL Magazine (in 2008 and 2009, respectively). The Rochester native’s career was abruptly put on pause when he was sentenced to two years in prison for illegal handgun possession, just as things were beginning to come together for him. For the young rapper, this was a pivotal moment in his life. forcing him to devote all of his attention to rapping and spreading his gospel of street evangelization to the general public.
38 At the moment…
38 Spesh has been establishing himself as a major player in the underground hip-hop scene lately. His collaboration efforts with other underground rappers have gained him recognition. One of his most prominent collaborations is with Benny the Butcher of Griselda, with whom he worked on two projects: Cocaine Cowboys in 2008 and Stabbed & Shot in 2018. The latter made Spesh a household name among hip-hop enthusiasts worldwide. From the effort (Stabbed & Shot), the song “Driver Seat” has received over half a million Spotify plays. Throughout the song, Spesh boastful lyrics brimming with allusions to rich street culture metaphors:
“I get bricks from a kid named Fernando that wears Dickies and flannels/Enough cake to blow out fifty candles”
These powerful lines are interspersed throughout the project’s whole duration. Spesh illustrates the success of his drug hustles with vivid imagery in the song “Thruway Music”: “I saw a rare hustle God was showing/He put me inside of a haystack then I started sewing/The reason why they ribs started showing.” He is trying to portray himself as a unique hustler and the reason why so many people have become weak and dependent on the narcotics he sells. What sets 38 Spesh apart from his peers is his mastery of wordplay and stinging punchlines.
After releasing a number of projects in 2020, 38 Spesh is likely to be active in the hip-hop scene in the upcoming year. The music video for the song “Dirty Revolver” from Spesh’s 2020 album 6 Shots was most recently released.
38 Spesh Freestyle | OVERTIME | SWAY’S UNIVERSE
