Drawing us in with intimate keys and some cityscape sound design, Azkia Malik opens Natural Habitat with an evocative flow, shared from his personal lived experience with poignant depth, and an inspiring nuance.
The opus immediately reminds us of early Warren G, especially with reference to the sonic landscape, subtle ad libs and especially Azkia Malik‘s flow. The production has an ethereal quality, and we appreciate how cohesive the mix is.
Azkia Malik‘s prose feels conscious and positive in essence. This is something that we need more than ever in rap right now. His poetic prowess is astute, whilst his intention seems legitimate and pure as he shows us who he is, and where he comes from.
As a Bay Area–based Hip-Hop artist, songwriter, and performer, Azkia Malik‘s unique style brings together the golden age of ‘90s hip hop with today’s cutting-edge trap and underground movements.
The somewhat elusive artist tells us how he draws motivation from legendary influences while carving his own path. Malik skilfully manifests buttery smooth beats with his unfiltered lyrical expressions.
His music carries an uplifting vibe that feels both nostalgic and novel, relating to dream-chasing strivers, grind-it-out hustlers toughing out hard times, and regular folks navigating life’s high highs and low lows.
Whether delivering pointed verses packed with insight or cruising over a laidback groove, Malik’s art reflects the heartbeat of communities and the soul of the people who call them home. Rooted in authenticity and fuelled by passion, his sound feels zeitgeist and something we want to explore more of!
We will be adding Natural Habitat to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Azkia Malik‘s wider discography, including More Than A Visit, and Vibes Right.