Len Bowen burns up the microphone with his blazing new track and intense new video Toast Up — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
As the Winnipeg hip-hop virtuoso prepares for the release of his impending album Nthn4grntd this month, his new track — featuring an assist from Tough Dumplin — delivers hard-hitting, unfiltered. The glimpse into his upcoming LP speaks about facing fear instead of giving in to failure. Bowen admits through tight lyrics that he couldn’t let others’ judgment prevent him from achieving his life’s calling:
“I couldn’t walk away, couldn’t let it be
This one for everything they said he’d never be
To the pressure never caved in
What didn’t break ’em, made ’em
Look what y’all created.”
As the best lyricists do, Bowen utilizes intelligent metaphors through his rhymes, comparing his successes and life’s goals to that of a basketball game:
“Courtside to the bleachers
Call him news at six they turning back to watch
Feel like Curry fourth chip he turning back the clock
Y’all know the cloth he cut from ain’t nothing fabricated
Bound for greatness every verse an affidavit.”
Bowen said this song came from a birthplace of annoyance and frustration. A place many artists recognize as the limbo or waiting game they play throughout their careers. “Toast Up was born out of the frustration of waiting for co-signs and recognition,” he says. “This song is a soundtrack to kicking doors down, grabbing attention, and firm flag planting; the antithesis of music industry humility and politeness.”
Tough Dumplin helped him deal with his frustration and anger from the creative process, according to Bowen. A friend, collaborator and producer Dumplin knew firsthand what it felt like to endure the arduous limbo of the waiting associated with music, so he dreamt up a production track rivaling none other, and reaching into uncharted bounds. “Tough Dumplin created the perfect soundscape for this song and also contributed a humorous but edgy verse,” Bowen said.
Nthn4grntd arrives on June 30. Watch the video for Toast Up above, hear more from Len Bowen below, and catch up with him on his website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
