When people think of hip hop, they think of New York City. The Big Apple isn’t just the place where hip hop was conceived; it’s where Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, and The Low End Theory were created – timeless classics that have become staples of the genre. But as impressive as the metropolis is, the talent in New York state stretches far beyond its capital city.
Born in Rochester, BVNGS is a rising talent in East Coast hip hop proving that NYC isn’t the only noteworthy city in the state. From a young age, the rapper has had a passion for hip hop and R&B, developing her flourish as a vocalist and ferocity as an MC. Having mastered both styles, BVNGS has dedicated her catalogue to fusing them together, offering listeners an eclectic blend of slick neo-soul aesthetics and relentless rapping.
After signing to an independent label, BVNGS moved from her home in Rochester to New York City to kickstart her career. The rapper’s catalogue begins with Not Available, an explosive EP hosted by DJ Nolita. In just four songs, the MC showcases her versatility, foreshadowing the range and consistency that BVNGS would make her signature. “C.R.E.A.M.” is a braggadocious statement of the rapper’s talent, wherein the rapper hypes herself up over a thudding bassline and stuttering drums. Things take an immediate turn on “Insomnia Nights”, an atmospheric R&B cut where she flexes her vocals, whispering intimately over a woozy swirl of synths and echoing percussion. What Not Available lacks in a lengthy runtime, it makes up for in diversity, giving listeners a taste of the passion, range, and consistency of BVNGS.
Over the next three years, the rapper continued to push her name in the underground, delivering a variety of eclectic projects. First came 7 Dutches & a Sweet Tea in 2017, a ferocious batch of verses from the MC performed over a blend of soulful and electro-infused instrumentals. The project opens with “From the 99”, a fiery exercise in rhyme from BVNGS where her commanding delivery and ever-changing rhyme schemes add power to an otherwise laidback tune. “Dead Unicorn” sees the artist dive back into the world of soul, pitching down her vocals as she sings over a drowsy, slowed-down guitar loop.
The follow up in 2019, Brown Girls and Bubble Coats, sees the rapper dip into pop rap territory, embracing a softer, more melodic style with rapping and vocal passages seamlessly woven together. “Weakend$” is the definite standout – a patient, intimate track where layers of synth bass and percussion bubble beneath the rapper’s emotive voice. BVNGS’s ability to unite R&B and hip hop is effortless, pairing contrasting sounds with the vocal versatility to bridge them together.
Just a year later, BVNGS outdid herself on Lula. Featuring some of her most animated rapping, the MC glides over a variety of beats grimy, poppy, and soulful. “Goon” is up there with the sharpest tracks in the rapper’s catalogue, maintaining a smooth, determined flow over a hypnotic blend of glittering samples, thudding drums, and commanding bass. Clocking in at just under 20 minutes, Lula is a swift and entrancing evolution of the artist’s sound.
Later that year, the singer returned with her most intimate release to date. On Only Crying Cause I’m Drunk, BVNGS takes a step back from hip hop to fully embrace her R&B influences. The end-result is a soft, impassioned EP brimming with stunning vocals and angelic production. From the powerful choir vocals on “Trap Adele” to the laidback guitar licks on “Pinky”, the EP serves as evidence that BVNGS is just as talented a singer as she is an MC.
Determined to outdo herself yet again, the rapper returned with Laquisha just a few months later. In stark contrast to her last EP, on Laquisha, BVNGS hones in on her ability as a rapper, dominating a series of gritty, minimal beats with a razor-sharp pen game and her signature savage mic presence. Tracks like “Laquisha” and “Morning Blues” see the MC test the waters over drumless production, keeping the momentum of the songs going with her commanding voice alone. A love letter to pioneers of the underground like Roc Marciano, Laquisha is BVNGS’s grimiest release yet, capturing the grit of the New York underground with an aggressive flourish.
Most recently, the rapper released MARY MACK, an explosive album bringing together all BVNGS’s strengths for 10 effortlessly consistent tracks. Flowing from hard-hitting trap to ethereal R&B, each song is amongst her best work yet, exuding a newfound confidence that makes every bar hit twice as hard. From the ominous storytelling of the title track to the unrelenting brags on “91 VARSITY”, MARY MACK is BVNGS unleashing her fullest potential.
Growing more confident and creative with each release, BVNGS is on track to become one of the modern greats in New York hip hop. Despite adopting a similar style to grimy legends like Roc Marciano or Rome Streetz, the rapper is determined to avoid comparisons, combining the grime of New York with a summery R&B flair few of her contemporaries could match. With the release of MARY MACK, it’s certain that BVNGS is only growing sharper with each release, and soon enough, everyone in the city will know her name.
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