Rapper, blogger, and internet sensation DijahSB captures the sunshine for their latest LP The Flower That Knew, a period piece that captures the current stage of Dijah’s growth as an artist.
Despite a year of hardships like becoming censored on Twitter, the enby legend manages to shine through the bs and showcase a rich and light-hearted form of flexing.
Dijah’s been in the game for over a decade now, keeping a low profile yet a powerful online presence that’s garnered them not only a closer-knit fan base, but a more sustainable community of creative colleagues and friends. Throughout this decade of growth, Dijah’s only spat out a handful of mixtapes and EP’s and two albums, all culminating to their third and latest LP The Flower That Knew, a project that showcases Dijah’s strengths as an artist and brings their 10 training arc into fruition. Throughout the project, the track titles follow this theme of green, forestry, physical examples of growth and Dijah exemplifies it in the music itself.
It’s not a corn fest of saying “I’m growing, I’m growing” Dijah is rapping with elevated style, confidence in their layered rhyme scenes, and putting more thought in the structure of the songs themselves. A real upgrade from their Tasty Raps Vol. 2 ep from this year.
The Flower That Knew has a lot of fun with the visual language in the titles. The imagery paints a very colorful and floral image and each title correlates with the theme. Tracks like “Forest”, “Fertilize”, & “Chantels Garden” all incorporate the green concept, but with underlying messages. Accompanied by long-term collaborators: Harrison & Cheap Limousine, Dijah takes full advantage flowing over soulful and breezy beats.
While Dijah runs with the concept, every component of the album synchronizes for an easy and joyful listening. Dijah doesn’t want to make the audience think of flowers and fields for 11 songs straight, every track and title plays into this concept of growth and sustainability- something the rapper is bringing to the forefront in their personal life outside of music.
There’s an ever-growing sense of nihilism being raised amongst people growing with digital culture. With constant access to everything happening in the world comes constant exposure to the follies in violence and suffering. Living in the age of mass surveillance and digital knowledge brings with it a sense of real gloom and with the state of current affairs happening right now, I believe this Dijah album is coming at the perfect time.
There’s something impeccably optimistic that seeps through every corner. From the airy choruses to the bounce-filled instrumentals, it’s all continuously joyous and brings this concept of sunshine to life.
It avoids the tropes at every turn, bringing with it an optimistic experience that feels legitimately joyful instead of corny.
In a time where we are met with dread and the consequences of failing political structures bringing violence to the doorstep at what seems to be, every waking moment; it’s nice to have a subtle yet passionate reminder that it’s possible to shine through the dreariness.
Stream The Flower That Knew out now and connect with DijahSB here: Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp
