Greybuffalo: “Opinions”- equal parts refreshing and devastating
Greybuffalo aka JG is an American HipHop artist from the Lake Traverse Reservation (SWO) in NE South Dakota. He credit artists like Eminem, TechN9ne, Hopsin, NF, Logic, and the 90s era of Rap Music, for having an influence him. Greybuffalo started recording seriously in 2009 with another artist named TQ. They recorded a few songs that received radio play and afforded them some recognition, before Greybuffalo embarked on a solo career in 2015. He has since recorded a number tracks, including “Crazy”, “Ugh”, “Opinions” and “TBA” ft. CrazyFlo. Great emotional depth in storytelling. Engaging beats. Thoroughly satisfying verses. Relatable and relevant. More than just multisyllabic rhymes. These words quickly sum up what this Midwest rapper brings to the table.
Running through his catalog, it’s clear that Greybuffalo lyrical talent is pure. His approach is all about craft. You can feel the pride in every punchline setup and the catharsis in every unspooled rhyme scheme. He is focused with his words, which makes for a sharp listen that is equal parts refreshing and devastating.
Greybuffalo’s singing voice is smooth and rich, a fitting backdrop for the entrance of the track “Opinions”. If like me you’ve been sleeping on Greybuffalo, just one listen to his new track will ensure you’re now fully awake.
In fact it’s the track that really got me juiced for this artist, so it’s a great place to start. A fittingly real introduction to Greybuffalo; it’s deeply personal and delivered with authenticity and passion. Far too often in hip-hop, the status quo becomes boring and stale.
There are only so many songs that people can listen to about dope and stacks; songs rife with repetitive lyrics clearly objectifying women and glorifying violence. Yet, here comes Greybuffalo to take rap back to where it belongs with thoughtful and whimsical wordplay.
This is a rapper that is focused and determined to turn the hip-hop game on its ear and to let the world know he is ready to show off his talents. The wordplay and the flow really bounces like an old-school mixtape. It just sounds like Greybuffalo will never run out of bars to spit.
The gravity in his words is matched by the sound of the production. He shows dexterity in how he approaches the song, frequently switching his cadence and delivery. And Greybuffalo uses his singing to establish the sentiment of the song.
The candid nature of the track can make it feel as if we’re invading Greybuffalo’s privacy. But his honesty is intentional and it’s bound to deepen the connection between Greybuffalo and his fans. There’s a rather recurrent stigma in rapping where if you’re to tell a story, you have to sacrifice some lyricism for the sake of clarity.
Paying no mind to that, Greybuffalo balances lyricism and narration straight out the gate with “Opinions”. Greybuffalo aka JG’s storytelling, eye opening thoughts and lyrical punches on this track, is something that really stands out to me, as an artist in a genre, that, apart from trap and mumble rap, for the most part, has been stagnant over the last five years.
OFFICIAL LINKS: REVERBNATION – SOUNDCLOUD
