Detroit’s own Ilajide, celebrated producer, rapper, and core member of Clear Soul Forces, is back with a knockout single, “BACKHAND”. Blending funk, house, R&B, and hip-hop, the track radiates infectious energy, serving as the second teaser for his upcoming album Pocket Jams 2, set to drop on April 20th.
Built around a slick, groove-heavy beat, “BACKHAND” is as playful as it is assertive. Ilajide’s razor-sharp lyricism cuts through the laid-back vibe, delivering a tongue-in-cheek warning: “Put the money in my left hand before you get hit with the backhand.” The track explores themes of self-worth and boundaries, with Ilajide balancing humor and hard truths. “I haven’t quite made enough from rap to take her out,” he jokes, emphasizing the grind of an artist still hungry for more.
The production is quintessential Ilajide — experimental, polished, and effortlessly cool. Funky basslines bounce under crisp percussion, while soulful synths swirl around his confident flow, creating a track that demands repeat listens. It’s the kind of genre-fusing innovation that has defined Ilajide’s career, earning him accolades like Dillatroit’s Producer of the Year and the J Dilla King of Beats title.
As anticipation builds for Pocket Jams 2, Ilajide shows no signs of slowing down. If “BACKHAND” is any indication, the album promises to be a genre-defying celebration of sound, cementing Ilajide’s status as one of Detroit’s most dynamic and boundary-pushing artists.
