To most listeners, Vontrap started with PeerPressureMCs, the hip-hop group that he co-founded with Yusuf "Fist" Dawaki. Since their debut with the Wilson 99 EP in 2017, the duo have consistently developed a catalogue based on intelligent lyrics, modern African sounds and messages that go beyond entertainment. No trend has been followed in their releases but rather patience, deliberate nature and a desire to tell meaningful stories.
Check Vontrap's Catalogue on Spotify
This philosophy was even more evident as the duo came back with Something To Hold On To in 2022. The project was a visible evolution of the art, with a more sophisticated sound, but keeping the same authenticity that its initial followers enjoyed. It also prefigured later releases such as Fence, Game On, and the Bloom EP, which show a growing confidence in songwriting, production decisions and direction of collaboration.
However, as PeerPressureMCs were still growing as a group, another narrative was slowly emerging. Vontrap was no longer a half of a respected duo. Through collaborations and his own releases he slowly built up a creative identity that listeners could identify with outside of the PeerPressureMCs brand. His performances were more confident, his lyrical performance more intimate, and his songwriting was more contemplative of an artist who was comfortable exploring the themes of faith, perseverance, relationships and purpose without losing technical accuracy.
Originally published by NotJustOk.