“Cheat Code” by VerseBorn ft. Menhir is a mostly uninterrupted stream of consciousness. Breaks in the story only occur when one the language switches from English to Italian and back, and when the plot ends and another begins. To call this track unique would be inadequate. The storyline is extremely complex, with recurring motifs. It’s hard to follow, but that’s the point. VerseBorn and Menhir want your undivided attention for the track’s entirety. Straight off the cuff, the listener is thrust right into the action. In true artistic fashion, interconnecting storylines are articulated through interconnecting verses. But even when they aren’t, both VerseBorn and Menhir comes correct lyrically. The core theme is on socio-political and authoritarian issues that plague our society, as the artists ram their convictions home.
Most rappers follow a simple-yet-disappointing trajectory. Their breakout project is full of honest musings that capture the ears and souls of the youth — only to release hollow follow-up offerings. VerseBorn is an exception, though.
Every single track he has released, always applies the same initial intent- to deliver good music and leave a message that resonates and educates listeners. “Cheat Code” ft. Menhir, is no exception, and even if you cannot understand the Italian language verses, the tones of voice will be enough to set you emotions in motion.
It’s a solid single with mass appeal that still maintains artistic integrity. VerseBorn and Menhir dive into the dual emotions of disgust and outward contempt. That they’re able to harness such complexity into a catchy package stamps them out as artists with eclectic crossover potential and imbues “Cheat Code” with a sense of focus and skill.
Verseborn brings an understated melodic tone, while Menhir drives the track with aggressive, guttural power. The contrasts play off each other perfectly for a dynamic track that will please many ears, either side of the ocean.
In today’s universe of millions of swagger stylists, where suburban pop and niche mumble markets abound everywhere, Verseborn sets himself apart – by the music he makes, the lyrics he writes, and the company he keeps.
Italian rappers Menhir – comprising the voices of Momak and Kingaiè – represent top notch company, in any language you care to translate their verses. Technically on point, and artistically conscious they present the perfect foil to Verseborn’s carefully weighted delivery. Moreover, he is able to utilize the controlled chaos of Menhir over the persistent score that has an increased potency with each deeper listen.
Each set of verses is a conversation with all its dynamic pitch fluctuations, emotional outbursts and countless techniques that vary from emcee to emcee, blending into an articulated menace against those who constantly operate their abuse of power.
The intelligent rhymes takes you back to a time when hip hop was at its most authentic. “Cheat Code” by VerseBorn ft. Menhir is a track that demands a huge amount of respect for obvious reasons.
MORE ABOUT VERSEBORN: VerseBorn is an American artist hailing from San Francisco, California. He has amassed a worldwide following and is a member of the KonQuest Now artist collective. VerseBorn was raised on Wu-Tang and Souls of Mischief and was able to carve out a pallet similar to Planet Asia and Talib Kweli as a younger mc. While drawing upon inspiration from RZA, Apollo Brown and J Dilla, VerseBorn began producing beats and instrumentals, many of which have been placed in film, commercials and sporting broadcasts. VerseBorn’s song-writing and production credits include artists from Universal Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, E-One and more.
MORE ABOUT MENHIR: The Menhirs, with the voices of Momak and Kingaiè (also known as Kappa), were born in 1997 from the merger of the two historical hip hop groups from Nuoro: the W.A.R. and the S.M.P. active between the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The Menhirs are initially formed as breakers. The first examples of this artistic expression date back to 1982. They have since had numerous releases while impacting the Italian scene. Along the way they have never forgotten their Sardinian roots which is constantly infused into their music.
OFFICIAL LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Menhir.produzioni/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeCvB46ZViEtMl3hlTVc64g
https://www.pandora.com/artist/verseborn/AR4nXwXc7kh42nw
https://soundcloud.com/verseborn
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/verseborn/394020497
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1X79U9cUNDLyhhHUrfEgX2
More Stories
Janet Noh’s “One Breath”: A Musical Salve for the Modern Soul
Baraka Palmer – “Technology”: A Hypnotic Anthem for a Digitized World
Blake G Unleashes Genre-Bending Brilliance with “Follow” ft. Marina Heath: A Love Song for an Apocalypse