Formerly going by the moniker DK, Barelyanyhook has spent the last three years releasing a slew of impressive guest features and last year’s debut mixtape, ‘Took You Long Enough’, establishing himself as one of the more exciting lyricists around. By contrast, Bigfoot is a hip-hop production veteran, working with a long list of Nigerian rappers, from Boogey to Illbliss. The two have collaborated to release their joint EP, ‘Barely Big Enough’, gloriously combining for a short set that merges their best traits to stunning effect.
Over the 4-track course of the song, Barely takes on vocal duties, exhibiting his panoramic delivery range, while Bigfoot creates a colourfully boisterous canvas to reinforce his partner’s performances. Barely’s most endearing quality is his ability to dole out personable raps, driven by vivid imagery and an emotional poignant edge. On the project’s opener, “See My Hand”, he turns on the charm in an animated style, bouncing from a nursery rhyme inspired intro, to playful chant raps, before finally settling into a technically dizzying verse he packs with self-aware raps. “IJGB without the J, but y’all gon let me land today/I close my eyes and find a way/ I put my life inside the page”, Barely raps on one of the blistering couplets, confidently re-asserting his value and ambitions.
“See My Hand” is set to an elastic, resplendent Afro-reggae groove, featuring heaving guitar riffs and reverb-stained steel pan drum synths. It is indicative of the composite, exotic production that gives the EP its electrifying pulse. Where a significant portion of Bigfoot’s work echoes a sense of hip-hop revivalism, linking up with an artist as creatively frenzied as Barely, exhibits his dynamic range and gives his production on ‘Barely Big Enough’ a loose feel.
With its muffled vocal samples and an energetic mix of tribal percussions and swinging drums, “Recognize (Look at You)” is the only straightforward hip-hop track on the tape. On “Viene El Invierno”, the pair veer into Latin trap territory, for a rumbling jam that would sit perfectly on the same playlist as Cardi B’s 2018 smash hit, “I Like It”. Accentuating Barely’s bilingual lyrics in English and Spanish, Bigfoot mixes a serpentine piano riff, squealing violin string line, and hefty 808s. By its outro bridge, the instrumental arrangement bottoms out into raucous Afro-Cuban, Tumbao percussions, and Barely’s yelped invocations in Spanish.
Lyrically, the sole, boast-filled verse on “Viene El Vierno” is a convincing display of Barely’s ability to intricately thread impressionable bars, and set up a riveting flow without losing spur. For dancefloor purposes, the song could’ve used a catchy hook, but as his moniker implies, Barely isn’t too bothered by song conventions. Even on lovesick closer “Till Evening”, where there’s a discernible refrain, the rapper uses constant repetition as a tool to convey urgency.
In as much as ‘Barely Big Enough’ relies on widely accessible musical choices, it comes alive based on the terms of its collaborators—superbly curated without being unnecessarily insular.
Stream ‘Barely Big Enough’ via Apple Music here.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Barelyanyhook
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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super...
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrivebefore the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.” The Mavin popstar has been teasing...
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”