MJOfficial’s debut single, “Don’t Trip,” wastes no time making its presence felt. It kicks off with earthy, organic percussion that taps and rolls like it’s been lifted straight from a street corner jam session, while a shimmering layer of high-end sparkle dances in the background. It’s a clever pairing, grounding the track while giving it a sly modernity. Then MJ himself steps in, rapping with precision and bite that locks the beat it rides, down and makes it his own. His delivery drips with confidence and just the right dose of anger, each word falling like a well-aimed punch.
The backstory is as old-school as it gets. It’s got two friends who’ve known each other for over a decade, MJ and DHTheProducer, messing around in a Canning Town studio, stumbling across a beat that just clicks. One request for the file, one inspired opening line, and the rest is history. MJ’s flow shows the influence of UK rap heavyweights like Central Cee and Blanco, borrowing their knack for cadence and wordplay while making it clear he’s not here to imitate. His bars carry a personal edge that’s hard to fake, and his simple, punchy, and memorable hook is engineered enough to stick in your head long after the track ends.
MJ’s said he told himself going into the booth to avoid sounding mundane, and it shows, as there’s a fire under every verse with urgency that makes you believe he means every word. Recording in Tottenham, with the ghost of Skepta’s hometown pride hanging in the air, shows the grit and aspiration. Listen to “Don’t Trip” on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan