Jelani opens his new album, "The Rat Race with a dam good intro, "COUNT ON ME," a trap-laden hip-hop record that exudes both swag and consciousness. "COUNT ON ME" showcases a mixture of raw street energy paired with attention to lyricism. Jelani's cadence is tight and measured, pairing the bluster of contemporary trap with a sense of introspective awareness that harks back to the conscious hip-hop side of his artistry.
There's a sense of purpose in every line, a reminder to you that resilience isn't just good or virtuous, but is necessary in the face of life and music's grind. As the opening track of "The Rat Race," "COUNT ON ME" plays as if it's the spark within a larger saga. The track channeled the atmosphere of ambition, loyalty, and survival in a system that can seem rigged.
It's a personal and universally relatable calling to groundedness and faith in what you are here to do when the chips are down. With "COUNT ON ME," Jelani asserts himself not just as a rapper, but a thoughtful one over a beat. It's the kind of record that makes you nod your head while making you think twice about what and who you're counting on in your own race.