New Brunswick’s own Chijoke Okorie, better known as Josh the Killer or JTK, has settled comfortably into his role as a laid-back yet intense provocateur of the Atlantic Canadian hip-hop scene and flexes his lyrical muscles. “I bench press these beats, cuz I raise bars,” brags Okorie on his latest release, “Bands (money).”
Coercing the beat to his desired result after a brief choral introduction, he presents his modus operandi regarding the rap game and his life moving forward. Striking a stance similar to southern stalwarts like Lil’ Wayne and his Cash Money cohorts, JTK slips and slinks along through “Bands (money)” and establishes his identity for listeners.
The song finds JTK seeking to secure his bag as he manipulates an understated, yet sinister beat that fits his lyrical styling to perfection. His delivery is far more laid back than aggressive but, nevertheless, dangerous. “Bands” finds him almost casually demanding the notoriety and recognition he deserves and growing more and more impatient with not getting it. Josh also succeeds in showcasing some surprising diversity amidst a singular song as the aforementioned intro bookends his restrained intensity before exiting unexpectedly to a chorus of birds chirping to a distinct differentiation in the beat.
The UNB certified engineer turned emcee name-checks the likes of Drake (“I’m uncharted like Drake, but I ain’t in my feels”) and Golden State point guard Steph Curry (similarly smooth in his skillset, “Swishes or ricochets, I’m scoring and taking the lead”) on the track whilst also alluding very strongly to an affair—or, at very the least, entanglement—with hip-hop itself. JTK designs some lines that you really need to hear again to truly appreciate them as he almost lulls you into a false sense of security with his flow. He is in no hurry to get to his point but you would be best suited to understand and acknowledge it.