Review- "In The Meantime..."

With each successive project, there's an interesting, overarching event that takes place throughout an artist career; it's the development of one's sound and vocal maturity. Asaka The Renegade displays both, during his newest project, "In The Meantime." A five-song E.P that showcases the Detroit native's versatility alongside a progressively-aggressive and matured sound.

The E.P begins with "Already Know." a laid back, melodic bop that shows Asaka putting forth his best singing voice, opposed to blistering bars that began prior projects. "Imma take you down, take you down girl, can you take a chance on me." emotes Asaka over a softer toned track accompanied singer Myna.

Renegade's maturity musically isn't simply relegated through his choices to begin projects with laid back tracks, but rather his ability to come across as comfortable and confident throughout every track. whether singing or rapping, vocally, Renegade sounds in-tune with every choice made throughout the project. This is made abundantly clear on "3:13 a.m." a reference to the Detroit area code (313), this bar-for-bar track shows Asaka at his lyrical best, preaching "I put the verse in versatility and they would rather put it in adversity."

With the E.P lasting just under 20-minutes, this project features songs that grazes the depth of Asaka as an artist while allowing listeners to enjoy an appetizer prior to the release of the main album.

With features from singers K. Huff and Sam Watson, Asaka has seemingly put together an E.P full of tracks that didn't make the album, but somehow still paints a picture describing the talented emcee. I had a chance to sit down with Asaka and here's our conversation below.

Me- cool, so what made you release this project first off?

Asaka- I’ve been holding a plethora of music and I know people have been waiting on me to drop. So i decide to put together some of my favorite songs that didn’t make the album and release them to the public.

Me- When is the album coming out? if there is a date?

Asaka- Right now it’s looking like August. No specific date yet tho

Me- Was there a song on this E.P that almost made the album but just barely got the cut?

Asaka- Three actually. Problems, 3:13 am, and For Real.

Me- Cool, I'm listening to 3:13 a.m. again. What made you write this?

Asaka- I was coming back from a trip to New York. I had the best experience there to the point it made me wish Detroit was as “together” as New York was, but it made me realize how much change I want to make in my own city. I was on the road at the time and it was 3 a.m. which is where the song title came from.

Me- and final question, who were the producers featured on here?

Asaka- The Beatplug, produces majority and another producer named Bliss.

Me- Thank you for the time. Can't wait for the album.

For those looking for the project, it can be found here.