BEST NEW RAP: RHYS LANGSTON - JESUS OF LOS FELIZ

If you’re aiming to hear something of substance from your We Are: The Guard earworms this week, look no further. Conscious LA rapper Rhys Langston has returned to his homebase, and his new single off his upcoming album, “Jesus of Los Feliz,” (best title ever) recounts his feelings about returning to Leimert Park. His impressions? Meh. Check out “Jesus of Los Feliz” below.

RHYS LANGSTON - JESUS OF LOS FELIZ

Produced by MVNTRA, “Jesus of Los Feliz” is a contemplative lap through Langston’s thoughts; a brief but honest mulling of the mind by the rapper about his personal shortcomings through unemployment and general instability. Rapped eloquently and written eloquently, Langston flexes his artistic prowess in under two minutes.

The most interesting aspect of the track shines through though, when you view it through the lens of Langston’s personal description: “A post-Migos ballad,” etc. etc. What is “post-Migos” rap? You’re listening to it -- “Jesus of Los Feliz” is a genius, sly jab at mainstream rap. Langston works as his own hype man, ad-libbing in the likes of Future, Migos, and every other party rapper out there. The stylings of the track makes for an almost ironic twist, given the fact that mumblecore is what’s trending these days. The added touch of trap music almost begs to ask the question: “Would Langston be struggling and unemployed if he had just been doing this the whole time?”

Maybe, but the poignancy of Langston’s poetry would be lost. This particular sardonic delivery practically makes the track.

“Jesus of Los Feliz” will be on Rhys Langston’s new album “Aggressively Ethnically Ambiguous,” out in September. Stay tuned.