Oliver Francis is only getting closer to the sun. Simmering rhymes and on-point production have always been key elements within Francis’ music from the very beginning of his career, but a reignited flame for bar delivery highlights Francis’ quest through his newest single “Kids In America.”
While many ‘well established’ and mainstream artists today have failed to garner a true loyal fanbase, Francis keeps his core fans coming back for more, and is able to do so because of his progressively moving catalog of music. With no past project sounding the same, Francis has never failed to advance his sonics. The Missouri native has seemingly moved on to the next phase of his career and it is evidently present in “Kids In America,” Francis opts out of his infectious melodies accentuated in tracks like “bloom” and demonstrates his versatility with a heavenly lit rhyme scape. The video for “Kids In America” begins with a culmination of shots prominently featuring flashes of Francis, reoccurring guest star Splash Chryse, and most notably cloudboy: Blue. Directed and edited by the ominous Alber, “Kids In America” is innately intimate. Driven by a euphorically dreamy sample, the track soon drops into Francis’ self defining onslaught.
Lyrically I blast back when I smash tracks // Wipe the sweat from on my brow, but turn my polo cap back
Francis showcases his ability to authentically deliver a track like no other rapper today on “Kids In America.” He profusely states his capacity of rapping is far superior than anyone else today in between shots, courtesy of Lil Aahj and Trace Thorpe, of studio sessions coupled together with a few nightly reliefs. Francis convincingly proves that he is the rapper to watch, whether or not he is signed to any major label conglomerate with his newly established flow.
Aside from his recount of his own greatness, Francis goes after those in the music industry that continually alienate and exploit fans. Francis notes that while he can “stick a microphone through a rapper like shuriken,” he ultimately will always be the bigger person as he does not push a calculated agenda upon his audience.
How do these rappers sleep at night with the way they be living? // Teaching kids that poppin’ percocets and fuckin’ bitches // All there is to do in the short amount of time that we’re given // So while I’m here I got to spread the wisdom // The game fucked up, that paper turn you to a victim
Francis acknowledges that he is one of only few that truly embodies every aspect of a true artist from the newer generations of artists today, and is willing to bet that his skillset can outmatch anyone that dares challenge him throughout what some may call his most boom-bap track to date.
Oliver Francis is exponentially reaching the top tier of his craft. Surpassing the peons of the SoundCloud rap scene was seemingly an easy task that Francis completed years ago, and he is slowly but surely creeping on the heels of becoming a household name with tracks like “Kids In America”.
Francis is currently planning on taking the country by storm with ‘The Overdrive Tour‘, featuring direct support with none other than frequent collaborator Big Baby Scumbag. Francis is also simultaneously gearing up to release his highly anticipated project Overdrive, while also notably dropping a new line of coveted merchandise. As the road to a future of stardom for Francis is inevitable, he has unquestionably created his path clear and unstoppable.