For those interested in underground rap–or people who just crave novelty–Len’s “Goldenboy” would be an intriguing curiosity to dive into. True to its name, the project is a glitzy reflection of its auteur, a UK underground rapper who has made a name for himself with his experimental rap sound. In terms of its sonic architecture, “Goldenboy” succeeds at constructing a dynamic but cohesive soundscape out of Len’s various influences. Two worlds collide on “Whine Am Well”, which features a verse from rising Nigerian underground star Onoola-sama and a titillating sample of Ikechukwu’s 2000s Afrobeats hit. The project also features Nigerian underground producers Topsy and 3CB. On the flipside, his UK roots are highlighted with a couple of well-placed samples– the infectious bounce of “Make Way” is enhanced with incorporations of “Gold Dust” by English producer DJ Fresh (feat. Ce’cile and Ms Dynamite), while “Backstage” is bolstered by a sample of M.I.A’s iconic 2013 hit “Bad Girls”.
“Goldenboy” at first comes off as superficial fashion boy trap, but a closer listen reveals an interesting layer of grit and emotion that makes for a compelling listen. It is a project that thrives not just on avant-garde and tastefully derivative musical choices, but on the power of persona. A term often attributed to rich, popular and successful young men, the “goldenboy” archetype represents something aspirational, signalling status and prestige. Len’s rap style fits nicely into this mold, and for the first few tracks we experience him as a slick-talking showman decked out in finery and surrounded by beautiful women.
“Couture” (produced by BNYX) is sensual and glamorous, with whispers of Jean Paul Gaultier and “Benz punani” painting a very vivid picture. “Make Way” projects an alluring egotism, fleshing out the dripped-out moneymaker with standout lyrics like “There’s no bag I fumbled, I’ll go get another” and “I got bread in both pockets, this a Rick Owens sandwich”. “Who I Am” is possibly the most on-the-nose embodiment of this persona, as Len outrightly professes his love for all things hedonistic with lyrics like “I love money and motion and cheques” and “Real deal player, I’m a bad gyal slayer”.
As the project progresses, however, we begin to see that this golden boy has layers, and not all of them have that perfect, untouchable sheen. If the first few tracks are gold-plated armour, then “Frontal Lobe” is the hard, grungy metal underneath. Enter rage guitars and decidedly rough vocals accompanied by even rougher imagery. With grit-filled lyricism, Len alludes to a short-lived childhood and the hustle he had to undertake to survive–“Don’t tell me bout no frontal lobe, 14 I had to be the man, I hop off the porch and I brung that home”// “NFA I got grabbed for weed, I upgraded my line to coke”. In a similar vein, the last few tracks expose a tumultuous love life at odds with the blasé ladies man facade he has projected for most of the record. The project takes on a slower tempo from here on out, in line with the reflective mood of the music. On “Innocent” he is a side piece who wants to be his lover’s main man– “I never minded being the intern, now I wanna get promoted too// “I won’t lie, I muted your insta, I don’t wanna see your mister”. On “Pick Up The Phone”, he is in the doghouse begging his woman to pick up the phone and listen to his side of the story. This candid display of vulnerability is both parts surprising and refreshing, particularly when experienced in the full context of the record.
In this way, “Goldenboy” reveals itself to be more than just a hedonistic playboy’s confessional. It is a love letter to the various sounds that have shaped Len’s artistry, as well as an honest and unapologetic portrayal of the man behind the music.
