Another fusion of genres graces the blog today as we put Jaden Smith’s GOKU under the microscope. He has had his fair share of critics over the years, which is to be expected for a child star. However, his music has developed from underneath his dad’s and now he has a distinct, creative sound.
GOKU was released in October 2018 as a single, just before he dropped his The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story project. It wasn’t included in the tracklist, it was just another release from a young rapper that is dropping music frequently now and clearly enjoys the craft.
His flow is excellent and has improved substantially over the years and this is another example. The song comes in fast and heavy on the verses, with Jaden showcasing his lyricism, whilst also creating an EDM track. Production was handled by Omar Rambert and Lexoskeleton and the hook, where Jaden references feeling like Goku from the manga series, Dragon Ball Z, builds to a crescendo with a big drop that wouldn’t feel out of place at a rave.
Jaden Smith is a trailblazer in hip-hop, testing out where the boundaries lie and, more often than not, finding out that they are much more malleable than anyone realised. His fashion sense, which often sees him combining streetwear and skirts, and recent relationship with Tyler The Creator are changing the discussions on sexuality and masculinity in hip-hop and music generally. He is having a tangible effect on the culture and I think he has achieved a lot for a 20-year-old and I think his profile, talents, and accomplishments will only continue to grow.
Spotify Playlist Link: https://spoti.fi/2CKuVex
A Song A Day 