MUSIC

comparisons to the Wu-Tang Clan, because they’re also a large group that incorporates higher knowledge into their lyrics. While the Gr8 Thinkaz definitely credit Wu-Tang’s influence as students of the game, they’ve formed their own distinctive sound and identity that can’t be put into a box.

In February the collective released the collaborative album Thinkaz Only: Vol. 2, where they flex their versatility from top to bottom. The opening track, “Texturez,” starts with a classic soul sample as Gr8Sky, Mother Nature, Jay Moses, and Jeff K%nz gracefully and intentionally articulate every heartfelt syllable to help it hit home. The vibe of the next track, “Risk Takerz,” is much more in-your-face and up-tempo, with members trading bars and spitting a thousand words per minute over a trap-style beat.

“This whole thing is divine,” says Heavy Crownz, one of the newer members of the squad. “With any other crew, people will say, ‘Q-Tip is the main one because he raps and produces.’ In this thing of ours, everyone is really amazing in their own way, hands down. It’s a unique sound, but there’s an energetic cohesion. . . . It’s definitely gonna be a Thinkaz Szn—apologies—a Thinkaz Decade. There’s about to be a lot blooming fasho.” v

@DroInTheWind_