Establishing the mood with the sound of police sirens and a bold and dynamic hip-hop beat with textured drums, DAPS opens Down Wit Dat (Cold Killa) with assertive prose and a captivating flow. The opus expands with vibrant bars and catchy hooks as DAPS takes us straight into the realities of Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia.
His authenticity feels impossible to manufacture and we immediately connect with the rawness of the narrative and the intoxicating quality of DAPS‘ delivery. We are fully transported into his world and appreciate the references to growing up on 60th Street that give the track a deeply personal dimension.
The production keeps us enthralled throughout. It’s a high-octane, dimensional adventure full of cultural references and we learn that the beat was modelled around the Theme from S.W.A.T.. We love this approach because the result feels fully reimagined instead of derivative. Zack‘s production is refined and provides the perfect backdrop for DAPS‘ incisive storytelling laced with poetic prowess.
As for the track’s message, Down Wit Dat (Cold Killa) feels like an unfiltered snapshot of the environment that shaped him. He allows the bars to speak for themselves in a gritty, cinematic and deeply rooted place. When asked who influenced the track, DAPS simply responds, “Nobody really influenced me on this track it’s original.” That independence really comes through and feels like an artist who is trusting his own voice, though fans of Schoolly D would also be able to vibe with this. We could imagine the track scoring a sync placement in a TV show like Beauty in Black, or the Oscar-winning film, One Battle After Another.
Needless to say, we love what DAPS is creating, and it is no surprise that the track has already picked up attention from blogs in Brazil and London. We have added Down Wit Dat (Cold Killa) to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream DAPS‘ growing discography, including Thicker Than Water, and First Blood.