Hip Hop’s youth movement is at peak fruition, and fans continue to reap the harvests. Thus far in 2015, young artists like Joey Bada$$ and Earl Sweatshirt have dropped critically acclaimed new albums while simultaneously shining a light on the current landscape. There is a plethora of young and talented emcees making waves. One in particular, Bishop Nehru, is capitalizing on the sentiment.
The 19 year-old Mass Appeal emcee’s latest, Nehruvia: The Nehruvian EP is a teaser of sorts for fans awaiting his debut LP, expected to drop later this year. The EP is a collection of seven songs with an Intro, ultimately deemed “too raw sonically for the album.” As such, Nehruvia: The Nehruvian EP doesn’t play like a completed project beginning to end, but it does give a glimpse inside the creative process for Bishop’s Mass Appeal debut.
We know for certain that Bishop can rhyme. Mass Appeal certainly isn’t lacking in the lyricist department, with Nas, Fashawn and Run The Jewels in tow; Bishop’s roster spot is an enormous testament to his abilities. He uses multiple modes of articulation, be it metaphoric prose (“MansSin”) or just straight bar-for-bar rhyming. On the third track, “U$ers,” he takes the introspective route, observing his career from afar: “I’ve been thinking too much so it’s hard for me to see / The direct path of light and what I’m supposed to be / There’s mad people watching, in the family I’m the option / Wanting Grammy’s and the Oscars and I’m swearin’ I can conquer.” Only a few lines later, he brings it back down and speaks directly to the listener: “But I just wanna make music and influence / I hate expectations they ruin / Every single thing that I think of doing / Could you just leave me please to be human?” Bishop’s catalog is anything but extensive. However, that he is fresh off of the collaborative NehruvianDoom, and has the backing of a legend like Nas speaks to the pressure he is facing and embracing at this early juncture in his career.
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While the lyrical talent is apparent, Bishop also deserves props for his production chops. Nehruvia: The Nehruvian EP is entirely self-produced, and displays the multifacetedness of his musical ear. “Breath (Prana $pirit)” is reminiscent of the Madlib flavored West Coast mold. Soundwise, the EP closer “Harmony In A Glass” is a laudable homage to J Dilla. And when he isn’t showcasing the sample-based beats inspired by his predecessors, Bishop has his own moments of originality (“Somebody Waits”). Given his age and respective clout, he’s well on his way towards becoming one of the best rapping producers.
Nehruvia: The Nehruvian EP is a concise collection of music that acts as an hors d’oeuvre while Bishop Nehru puts the finishing touches on his debut LP. The rhymes are up to snuff, and excitingly, so are the beats. In only a short amount of time, Bishop has parlayed his talents into a record deal, and maintains a steadily growing fanbase. The Nehruvian EP will satisfy hungry fans, and Bishop can continue to keep his nose to the grindstone.
