AJ Suede Merges Laid-Back Bars and Smoky Loops on The Duke of Downtempo

On The Duke of Downtempo, AJ Suede takes a laid-back but deliberate approach, shifting between beats and bars like a seasoned storyteller, painting vivid images with every verse. There’s a sense of cool detachment throughout, but beneath that surface, the tracks pulse with a quiet intensity.

Tracks like “First Too Lose” hit with conga rhythms and a chilled-out flute loop, while “Pruitt Eye Go” gets deeper, layering a mellow piano over airtight snare/handclap combos that bounce you into Suede’s world of reflection. His production nods to a bygone era of soul and funk, but it’s not stuck there; his sound subtly evolves with every turn. Standout track “Poker Chips” brings that classic East Coast knock, thumping like it’s coming through the walls of a neighbor’s house.

Suede’s flow stays low, but the delivery is effortless and full of sly confidence. And then there’s “Own Plate,” with its orchestral strings and horns, a raw yet refined cut that will have you half expecting a mafioso-luxury-rap chef like Meyhem Lauren or Planet Asia to pop up alongside AJ and guest emcee Milc.

Throughout The Duke of Downtempo, Suede and his compatriots linger in the shadows, enjoying the dimly lit sections of hip-hop and letting the lyrics breathe between those smoky loops. He lets us in and lets his thoughts float without forcing anything.

It’s a murky but soulful trip that appreciates a bit of polish with the grit. And AJ Suede is making sure you hear the story, even if it’s just between the lines.

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