Forward-thinking rap prodigy Bishop Nehru proves the hype right once again

The mixtape marked Nehru as one who had all the makings to keep the sacred fire of East Coast hip-hop burning fierce and bright for years to come. He’d match his gift with a prolific work-rate, releasing a project every year from then on, each reaffirming his natural ability to spit real bars. There was the occasional misstep – on the self-produced Magic: 19 the change in direction didn’t work, with clunky beats that just weren’t strong enough – but for the most part, the New York rapper was showing a growing confidence as both an artist and a producer. Now, ten years in, Bishop Nehru feels that he’s finally “in an artistically comfortable place to create” the project he’s had in his head since the 8th grade.

Not one to shy away from an ambitious endeavour – his 2018 full-length solo debut Elevators: Act I & II (produced by DOOM and Kaytranada) was his attempt at creating a rap Pet Sounds, remember – Nehru wanted Nehruvia: My Disregarded Thoughts to be “as eccentric as possible”. He delivers on that promise. Similarly to Elevators, the album takes a two-act approach, divided into ‘The Abyss’ and ‘The Escape’. Nehru strikes a distinct tone in each half, both lyrically and through his now much-improved, sturdier production.

At first Nehru’s both brooding and at his confrontational best, a “rap master”, “alone and lost”, looking to “turn they asses into ashes”. “Colder” and “In My Zone” are ominous and icy, and a fingerpicked guitar and wailing sax makes “WhyDoesTheNightSkyTalk2Me” drip with wistful melancholy. Then, with ‘The Escape’ comes a shift in mood. Nehru’s beaming with positivity, “keep[ing] hope and a free mind”, and bullish in his quest of not “lettin’ nobody stop my gift”. Uplifting strings and warm keys add tenderness to “Our Energy Is Astral” and “All of My Years”, while a playful breeze blows through “Me & My Thoughts” and “CAREFREE BLACKBOY (NuWave)”.

All over My Disregarded Thoughts Bishop Nehru displays what a scarily good rapper he is. From his flow to his wordplay, he’s the total package. But it’s the massive strides he’s made in production that make this previously used two-act gimmick much more rewarding this time around. This young New York rapper’s still just 23 years old. Lord knows what Bishop Nehru will be capable of in another 10 years.