On the track “Father,” featured prominently on Jim Legxacy’s third mixtape,listeners are taken on a journey through the artist’s early life. The young James Olaloye reflects on his upbringing in Lewisham, a borough located in southeast London. He shares poignant memories: “rolling up a blunt,scheming for cash … trying to break free from the streets with my own two feet / I⁢ never had a father.” This narrative vividly illustrates the struggles faced by those growing up in challenging environments: “Making money off a mobile phone … that’s what they desire.”

This theme resonates deeply within UK rap, often marked by raw depictions of life in disadvantaged council estates. However, “Father” introduces an unexpected element. “On the block,” he confesses,“I was listening to Mitski.”

The reflective alt-pop soundscape created by Mitski provides an intriguing backdrop for Jim’s narrative. His artistic path has been anything but typical; it is driven by music that challenges conventional boundaries. His earlier mixtape, “Citadel,” could be classified as UK rap but felt like it was unraveling—frequently enough featuring backing tracks that disintegrated while his intense delivery sometimes bordered on chaotic or became difficult to decipher altogether. His bold statements were frequently interrupted by guitar-laden tracks where vulnerability emerged as he sang with an earnestness reminiscent of emo rather than hip-hop.

In his moast recent release from this year titled “Homeless N*gga Pop Music,” Legxacy further embraces this emotive approach, incorporating more singing than rapping against electric guitar riffs blended with Afrobeats-inspired rhythms and samples from Miley Cyrus—creating an atmosphere that feels both heart-wrenching and desolate. This work stands out distinctly compared to other projects like “Sprinter,” which he co-wrote for Central Cee and Dave earlier this year.

The emotional resonance continues in his debut mixtape with its lead single “Context.” This track recounts meaningful personal losses since releasing “Homeless N*gga Pop Music”: including the passing of his sister, two strokes suffered by his mother, and complications surrounding copyright issues that resulted in one of his songs being removed from streaming services. These adversities have undeniably shaped this new record; however, they seem to have fueled him creatively rather than stifling him.

A Lively Sound Amidst Challenges

“Dark British Music” emerges as a more vibrant project—infused with pop yet bold in its stylistic transitions—from quirky pop R&B featuring sped-up vocal samples reminiscent of Kanye West’s early works to alt-rock influences evident in tracks like ’06 wayne Rooney.” The song “Still David Bowie” contrasts perplexing musical shifts with catchy hooks that linger long after listening.

This week Alexis Tuned In To:

Jessie Murph – Heroin : A sweeping ballad beginning stately before erupting into raw emotional release—a stunning transformation reminiscent of Lana Del Rey moving southward..