Underrated, heavily-tatted, southern rapper Yelawolf returns with a new single, “Daylight.” “Daylight” plays to the MC’s strengths and southern roots.

After releasing two proper studio albums (Radioactive and Love Story), rapper Yelawolf is still not a household name.  Furthermore, the heavily tatted southern rapper is clearly underrated.  Regardless, he continues to grind, and returns with an intriguing new promo single, “Daylight.”  Can “Daylight” be the breakthrough that Yelawolf needs or deserves? Well…

“Daylight” opens with a folksy, countrified intro that finds Yelawolf is singing:

“Daylight, whoa daylight / daylight is coming again / whisky, whoa whiskey / whiskey my only friend.”

Once the verse arrives, Yelawolf is rapping in his signature style, over a countrified hip-hop production.  Clearly, it’s a distinct sound.  He embraces his southern roots, so the sound is a good look. The rub is, “Daylight” lacks commercial sensibilities.  It’s difficult to envision this getting airplay, even if it’s interesting.

 As far as the chorus, it’s split between rapping (pre-hook) and singing (hook).  The pre-hook is performed with vocal effects:

“And just like the howlin’ wolf / a couple sips down and it’s nothin’ but blues / alcohol and rain, now that’s what grown men do / you keep it one hundred, I keep a hundred proof”

The hook itself, uses Yelawolf’s distinctive sung vocals:

“Cause when the raindrops fallin’ on that old tin roof / I pour myself a glass of liquor and I get the blues / to get down, to get down I get loaded down / to get down I get loaded.”

Final Thoughts

“Daylight” is an intriguing record.  Yelawolf remains true to his roots, which is a pro.  His rapping is sound, and his singing is respectable as well.  While the record is interesting, it doesn’t sound like the type of record that will earn airplay. Perhaps Yelawolf isn’t worried about commercial sensibilities, but regardless, he’s still a relatively unknown artist to the masses.  “Daylight” sets him apart, but will likely only appeal to a select audience.

Yelawolf • ‘Daylight’ [Single] • Interscope • Release: 9.23.16 

Photo Credit: Interscope