Album Review - “To Whom It May Concern” by Nessy The Rilla

“To Whom It May Concern.” By Nessy The Rilla is an offspring of the new brand of music hybrid that we’re experiencing. One where rappers utilize more than their rhymes and occasionally deploy a vibrato-filled style of singing. This brand of music allows vocal emotion to play the central point, with rhymes functioning as the co-star of the album. This brand of music is essentially the plot of “To Whom It May Concern.” Creating an album that’s subject matter-heavy, and hypnotizingly good.

While that style of hybrid hip-hop can often see an artist become lost in the shuffle, that’s not the case for this project. Nessy, throughout this album, displays an uncanny ability to blend his vocal display with almost any style of rap. He showcases a range of great variety, creating songs that lock you into his subject matter, the central star of this project.

Speaking of subject matter, this is without question the highlight of the album. While Nessy may not discuss the glitz and glam associated with hip-hop subject matter. Nessy brings forth the subject matter of his truth, delivering so with vocal believability often seen in award-winning actors. The subject matter on this album revolves around the trials and tribulations of Nessy’s life. With topics ranging from losing loved ones, depression, or just the daily grind associated with life. Nessy finds a way to make it relatable and enjoyable. His approach of explaining mundane activities fills the sound with emotions of daily stresses that can only be displayed through hard-earned wisdom.

No better example of this comes from the song “Just Keep Swimming.” Where he recites, “Head to the shower, to the fridge. Fridge to the car to the shift. Got me filling like shit.” Spoken with the vocal emotion of a man finishing a 40-hour workweek, you resonate with his story and find yourself empathizing with his hustle, even if you have never gone through these challenges.

Nessy's story is captivating, and despite a lack of features, the album’s content is anything but hollow, filled to the brim with entertaining messages that range from gloomy to an uplifting hustler’s message. “To Whom It May Concern.” is an album worth your attention and certainly worth the listen. You can listen to the album here.