Sheffield rapper-producer Young Eman returns this June with "misfit life," the latest in a run of singles ahead of his upcoming album BINE. The new track comes 6 months after his breakout track "popstar in da bits," which put him in a brief spotlight of internet virality, and garnered a few million streams for its distinct embellishment of a mischievous U.K. adolescence.
While his peers in the U.K. scene seem split between rage rap cult figures (fimiguerro, EsDeeKid) and more electronic and indie influences (feng, fakemink), Eman’s music defies easy categorization. In that sense, he reminds me a bit of fellow British mavericks like Jim Legxacy and skaiwater.
That same thoughtful attention to detail comes through in his lyrics, where Eman revels in the grit and grime of his small-city hometown: “Vodka, drugs in my veins / Misfit, know they wanna take us away.” The track’s aggressive 808s and delinquent lyrics almost make you lose sight of an otherwise beautifully elegant melody. At times, the rich instrumental runs with Eman’s playful, yelping vocals could give Trippie Redd a run for his money. And there’s a magnetic charm to his bread-and-butter delivery: his catchiest couplets remind me of Stormzy or Skepta, albeit much more pissed off.
Between “misfit life,” "páris," "popstar in da bits," and more, it seems like Eman’s album BINE will be out sooner than later, though no dates have been confirmed. When fans recently stopped Eman on the street, he assured them the project was coming “soon.” In the meantime, you can check out some of his album leaks on the artist’s own website.