ADZii BOii, the hip-hop titan who knows exactly how to bring the hammer down in every bar, delivered his most intimate blow with Promise. Blazing leagues away from his contemporaries, he brings a rare sense of vulnerability to the track, laying all of his insecurities and idiosyncrasies bare while tenderly requesting acceptance in the moments that are in the wake of perfection.
His Scottish vocals are a striking juxtaposition to the polyphonic, playfully retro Afrobeat instrumentals in the bitter-sweet hip-hop and pop hybrid. All of the experimentation and daring to stand alone as an innovator without falling in line with trends only amplifies the sentiment of the lyrical underpinnings by sonically asking for understanding, even when you need to discover new vestiges of what you thought you already knew.
There’s no bravado here—just raw prestige, candour, and the opportunity to strengthen your empathy for anyone who falls outside the mental health mould.
As an artist, ADZii BOii wears his temperamental streak and emotional depth like armour, and Promise proves nothing is off limits. With previous acclaim for ‘Let’s Go’ on Netflix’s Sprint, and ‘Colours’ airing during BBC Radio Scotland’s Mental Health Awareness Week, ADZii BOii’s bid to redefine Scottish rap isn’t wishful thinking—it’s already in motion.
Promise is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.
Review by Amelia Vandergast.