Artwork by AFIFA

by Ben Bonadies

When something looks easy, it usually isn’t. When Jayson Tatum sidesteps a defender in the paint and lays the ball up off the tips of his fingers with such dexterity that it casually rolls over the rim and through the net, it seems as natural as water running downstream. Rappers sweat to make their flows feel laid back and relaxed, but you never see the seams when they’re actually laid back and relaxed.

On new track “No Effort,” released today, Boston rapper Zaafir is in total control. He bursts onto the track sounding like Drake in his imperial era, stretching out vowels like a rubber band before letting them snap, catapulting him back into the pocket. Dexter Soul, a fellow Bostonian, joins him for a verse that smacks of Big Sean in his imperial era (remember 2015?) with all the little-brother energy that such an evocation demands–hyping up his host and sloughing off bad vibes. The view from the top is glorious, but it was a long journey there. When the drums on producer Sean Don’s beat fall away before the second chorus, Zaafir makes time to acknowledge the work he put in that got him where he is: paying his debts, counting his faults, learning and improving little by little. Skill like his only looks easy.

Listen to “No Effort (feat. Dexter Soul)” below.