"Italian Weekdays" by Felix De Luca
What's the first thing you think of when you hear Copenhagen, my friends? The canals? The Tivoli Gardens? Children's author Hans Christian Andersen? I'll be honest I didn't even know Copenhagen was famous for those things until I took a trip to google five minutes ago. That being said, I know not one of you answered with "rap", but maybe newcomer Felix De Luca can change that. He just dropped his Italian Weekdays EP with producer Ghost Notes and it's one of those waves you need to hear if you enjoy good raps over the booms and the baps.
The intro doubles as the title track and features Felix rhyming and punching profusely over a sample-laced production piece that's chopped reminiscent of Alchemist. Applause due to Ghost Notes whose percussion is a standout on this beat. Complimented well by a flex-heavy verse full of designer name drops and accounts of Felix's past. It's a very solid start that sets the tone to let you know De Luca is no amateur.
The second track proves Felix is no fluke as "No Flex" finds an ambitious De Luca providing an even better pen over what's probably my favorite beat from the project. Ghost decides to forgo the drums this time around and Instead elects to let the electric guitar laced sample rest beneath a "Rags to Riches" verse painted by Felix. More designer names and meticulous metaphors that De Luca reminds us aren't a display of him flexing. It's a hypnotizing effort that leads into "A Day In These Ricks".
It's a nice endeavor where Felix pulls back the curtain on his life a bit more. Referencing his father's death and his adventures in the drug game. I'll be honest though, the feature from Daniel Son is the true standout here. From the tone in his voice to the gritty story he eloquently expresses it's easy to see why Felix included him here. The feature does exactly what it's supposed to as it led me to dig deeper into Daniel's catalog. All-in-all a solid display from the duo here.
The tape wraps up with "White Privilege" and "Breathe" and while the former is worth the listen and cohesively fits here the outro is the true star. It's the most in-depth look at Felix's life and something I hope he gives us more of in the future. He raps in a somber tone that he still manages to feel with emotion without turning the volume up. "It's almost like I got a debt with God and I ain't settled it" he states over sharp piano keys. This one is hands down my favorite. It feels like a very honest look at Felix himself and even at three minutes, it makes you wish it was even longer. It's an A+ note to go out on. It's all the reason you should stream "Italian Weekdays" as soon as possible.