When a legendary architect of dusty, soulful loops joins forces with one of underground hip-hop’s most unpredictable vocal stylists, expectations run high. On Hear Me, Cookin Soul and Estee Nack don’t just meet those expectations—they deliver a masterfully constructed slice of pure 90s-inspired boom-bap that feels both nostalgic and immediate.
Cookin Soul proves once again why his beat-smithing is revered globally. The sonic canvas of the song relies on a meticulously chopped, warmth-infused soul sample that anchors the track. The drums are crisp and classic, hitting with a knock that demands head-nodding but leaving ample breathing room for the vocal performance. The arrangement builds seamlessly, letting the vocal sample bridges swell organically to complement Estee Nack’s verses.
Estee Nack brings his signature gritty, multi-layered lyricism to the forefront, trading hyper-specific street realism with moments of deeper reflection.
His flow pattern effortlessly rides the pockets of Cookin Soul’s production, shifting from rapid-fire imagery to a more deliberate, conversational cadence that hammers home the gravity of his words.
The new album, Al-Andalus is out now. I haven’t checked it out in it’s entirety but it’s currently in my cart, and what i have heard thus far is tremendous!
Hip Hop Dependency 