There are introductions… and then there’s this. Let’s talk about an artist who’s not just arriving, but emerging—with force, finesse, and a full-band swagger that refuses to be boxed in. Enter King Yanz, the Congolese-Finnish wordsmith blazing his lane through the Northern skies. Raised between Finland and the UK, Yanz is the kind of artist who brings a lived-in edge to every verse—his lyrics crackle with experience, his flow is cut from the cloth of UK rap, conscious hip-hop, and smoky jazz lounges. There’s weight in his words, and when he’s backed by live instrumentation, it’s not just a set—it’s a movement.
Set to release his debut album ‘Jeppisboy’ later this year, King Yanz is laying the foundations with intention. And the new single “Ray” featuring the UK’s wave-rap mainstay Yung Fume? That’s the warning shot. Self-funded, self-made, and self-assured, “Ray” is where emotional intelligence meets street-coded cool; an introspective banger wrapped in atmospheric production.
The track opens with an ambient trap beat that feels like it was designed to make space—space for vulnerability, space for bars, and space to breathe. A moody bassline pulses underneath sparkling hi-hats and faded melodies, giving the track a cinematic quality—like late-night reflections lit by neon and memory. It’s hip-hop, no doubt, but dipped in something softer, more soul-aware.
King Yanz steps in with a quiet confidence, his voice textured and grounded. His flow is unforced, steady like a heartbeat, never rushing the beat—he lets the lyrics land. There’s a touch of jazz phrasing in the way he rides the rhythm, and it works to his advantage, especially in the hook, where he keeps it cool and conversational without sacrificing emotional weight.
Enter Yung Fume, and the synergy is immediate. This isn’t a guest verse—it’s a collaboration. The back-and-forth feels natural, like two artists talking life over a track. Fume brings his signature wave-rap touch, melodic and fluid, but more grounded than usual, mirroring Yanz’s introspective energy. It’s rap with something to say—clear-eyed and emotionally present, with a focus on intuition, growth, and cutting loose from toxicity.
But make no mistake: “Ray” still hits. This isn’t a meditation—it’s a mood. DJs will spin it for its bounce, curators will slot it for its vibe, and listeners will come back for its depth. The track exists in that rare middle ground between hard-hitting and heartfelt, a balance that’s hard to strike and even harder to own.
With “Ray,” King Yanz proves that authenticity is the new flex. There’s no gimmick here—just two artists moving with intent, pouring clarity into every bar and crafting something that sticks. If this is where Jeppisboy is headed, we’re in.
Listen to “Ray” on Spotify
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