Last year, Tahj Malik Chandler dropped my favorite project of the year.

The rapper known as Saba faced stiff competition considering Chicago’s regional scene was firing from all cylinders (shoutout Jamilla Woods and Noname) and Isaiah Rashad’s first studio album proved to be a tremendous body of work.

Rap Alias: Saba

Name: Tahj Malik Chandler

Age: 22

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Saba first got his shine from the mainstream when he was featured on Chance’s lead single and music video “Angels“. The track features the Chicago native on hook duty while Chance spits on the playful beat.

However, diving through his catalogue has shown that he is not a voice that should be relegated to a supportive role.

ComfortZone, his second mixtape, is where the artist starts to truly find his lane. Much of the young MC’s standout efforts are highlighted when musicality is involved. Tracks 2 (Burnout) and 3 (Butter) still has one of the most rhythmically smooth transitions heard within a Hip-Hop body of work.

The rapper’s more recent offering “Bucket List Project” has shown a conceptual progression within his artistry. With interludes offered at the end of the track by the likes of Chi-town OG Lupe Fiasco and underrated talent Jean Deaux, the album feels more cohesive in its narrative of experiencing life to the fullest before death. His lyricism is as sharp as it’s ever been.

It’s been a minute since Saba’s dropped new material. The Westside Chicago lyricist is currently touring continentally within the U.S. so it’s unsure when new music will be surfacing.

The sure thing is that he’s only getting started.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE:

With Chief Keef’s rise, Drill Rap came to define Chicago’s Hip Hop scene in the early 2010’s. Saba bucks the trend and forces listeners to come to terms with a less visible narrative when thinking of Black youth in Chicago. Saba is a thoughtful mind who excelled in academia as a child. Much of his offerings deal with the tragedies and triumphs of growing up in his environment. The rap artist provokes pensiveness and does not shy away from reflecting on his own personal experiences.

TRACKS IN ROTATION:

ComfortZone and Bucket List Project in its entirety

(Personal favorites include the following)

Stoney – Saba

Church / Liquor Store (feat. Noname) – Saba

Photosynthesis (feat. Jean Deaux) – Saba

Shadow Man (feat. Saba, Smino & Phoelix) – Noname