Niontay is a 26-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer from Brooklyn, New York who introduced himself in 2023 on his first EP Dontay’s Inferno and Demon Muppy. I’ve also been impressed by his work on projects like MIKE’s fifth album Burning Desire or Ritchie with a T’s solo debut Triple Digit [112] and Mike Shabb’s sophomore effort Shabb Van Gogh, who released a critically acclaimed debut album Fada<3of$ earlier this spring, returns eight months later with his debut mixtape.
The Dylvinci-produced “Rockout Century” starts off with a brooding Detroit sound talking about cracking the code, while “100days100nights” is a raucous trap single that’s been geeky since it was let out of the doghouse. “3am@tony’s” features Lerado Khalil, backed by Harrison & Tony Seltzer’s dark Mobb instrumentals, talking about them not pretending, into “Cressidaway! / Tpgeek”, which initially goes for a plug vibe, with Earl Sweatshirt providing one of my favorite guest appearances from the 3 until Niontay switches to a somber beat on the verse.
The final feature of the tape is “Soulja Hate / Mr.havemyway “Dadecountydates” has Niontay’s voice high enough that it sounds like he inhaled helium before entering the studio and refused to sleep with anyone who chose a side, while “April 7 (Westside Swanging)” is completely chopped and screwed.
“Mark William Lewis Flow” kicks off the third and final act with a summery trap beat, likening his beats to those of the experimental artist of the same name, while “Dreamin’ (of U ;)” incorporates some drumless samples to talk about a person who’s been popping up in his dreams lately. “Neymar” tried to use Miami Bess in reference to the star forward of Brazilian soccer team Santos, and of course the final “Free Luigi” call for the release of Luigi Mangione ahead of the upcoming trial for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Soulja Hate Repellant completes Niontay’s breakout year and distills many of the same production styles, with Fada<3of$ exploring Detroit sounds or trap, plugg, cloud rap and drums-free with a few hints of chopped and screwed, and Miami bass sprinkled into the mix, transitioning seamlessly into each other. He may also be my personal favorite artist to date, MIKE, who is signed to his growing indie label 10k Global, has written some of the most emotionally sensitive lyrics of his career and used a number of different flows in just half an hour.
Rating: 9/10
