SONG REVIEW:
October 6th, 2023.
“Trauma” by Ekoh (@ekohmusic)
By Melissa Gill (@melissa.m.gill)
Las Vegas indie rapper Ekoh spills his heart and soul out on his latest track, “Trauma.”
His laser-sharp lyrics detail the complicated and harrowing childhood he endured, digging deep into the roots of his upbringing to express why he struggles to trust anyone. Ekoh’s poetic, intense, and bleak language blends seamlessly with the cinematic beats as the song builds, growing darker with each verse.
After being burned many times, the Vegas artist describes his harsh realities and paints a piercing family portrait in this verse:
“Because it’s normal, right, for you to grow up thinking you’re the only one you can depend on. After all these nights alone, police on the phone, your brother’s suicide attempts, or your mother’s overdose. Four dads came and went, either disappeared or died from the bottle they were sinking in.”
While his confessional prose is mainly heavy and somber, there are still moments when he weaves in clever wordplay, such as “I could post a reel, but it’s probably the furthest from real, ya’ll.” His lyrical hip-hop style and soul-stirring imagery are reminiscent of talents like Mike Shinoda and Grieves, making a poignant narrative painstakingly relatable in the best way.
Although this piece stands strong on its own, I would have enjoyed a soulful chorus by an R&B artist to add another layer to the mix, creating a more dynamic composition. There’s great potential for a collaboration here.
As someone who grew up in a chaotic and traumatic environment, this hip-hop artist’s lyrics hit close to home. Ekoh knows how to put into words what some of us might struggle to say, and I can’t thank him enough for it.
Photo Courtesy: Ekoh / YouTube