NYC rapper AJ Peoples debuted in 2018, but much of his creative expression began before that. Describing himself as born between the haves and have-nots, he internalised the experiences that shaped him and opened the doors of creativity. His unique style is fresh and new, breaking down barriers, but always an expression of himself.
This objective and vision is put on full show on his new album Ponder. Modern and innovative, AJ finds a reflective emotional stasis across the project. Incorporating lo-fi production into his style, some tracks are a pure production showcase, giving the audience moments of solititure between the intense introspective journey AJ goes on.
Reflecting on the music as it goes by, the halfway mark sees a switch from solemn to joyful, now appreciating life’s best moments from love to family and energy.
AJ explains the instrumental element of the project: “PONDER was to originally be a beat project, however, the songs that do have voice accompaniment moved me so much that I felt as if I needed to rap over them. I walked away from the project several times because of doubt, I was pulled in other directions or I wasn’t in the proper headspace. However, this project is a testament to myself, that I’ve been able to endure. It’s proof that I will keep trying to claw my way to my dream, one song at a time. PONDER is also my most honest self-expression to date, recounting real interactions, exploring my thought process, and learning about myself through my choices in beat composition. The project starts with a sombre tone but ends with a triumphant spirit!”
Listen below…
