Local Christian rapper and producer Mogli the Iceburg worked for almost two years on this follow-up to his 2013 release, The Space Inside. The result is Drevmcvtchr, an hour-long, 15-track project that combines mindful rhymes, Christian values and detailed production into an incredibly cohesive project.
Mogli’s rhymes are a mix of positive, Christian-based messages and personal tales of ambition. While there aren’t any bad lyrics on the project, sometimes they fail to stick with the listener. However, the most enjoyable tracks on Drevmcvtchr come when Mogli gets especially passionate or aggressive—whether it’s with his delivery or in his production. “Back Then” tells a personal tale of a drug-addicted friend and features a powerful chorus: Nowadays things changed / now you’re cold-blooded / every time I try to talk, you only try to get blunted over a heavy, distortion-accented beat. Another highlight is “Money,” a collaboration with rapper Steven Malcom that expresses Mogli’s frustration with braggadocios rappers and features a spoken-word sample of Tupac Shakur discussing poverty.
Mogli’s flow is especially notable on “Holding On” and “Prideful.” While they may be on opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, the blistering tempo at which he raps anchors the tracks and makes them some of the strongest on the album. Another noteworthy moment on Drevmcvtcher is the pop ballad “Fallin,” a duet with vocalist Shelby Pratt that features a hook closely resembling Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up.” It feels a bit out of place on the album, but it showcases Mogli’s versatility and could appeal to non-rap listeners.
While nothing on the project is attention-grabbing as The Space Inside’s best moments, Mogli is able to tie all the songs together into a cohesive, fully-realized project that is a worth a download.
Mogli the Iceburg’s Drevmcvtchr is available on Amazon, Noisetrade, Spotify and Soundcloud.
