A native of the hip-hop hotbed that is Atlanta, Keenon Rush debuts with the EP Citizen Keen. As a newcomer the first release is always a little rough around the edges, but as a relatively short project Rush attempts to maintain tight, focused content.

Citizen Keen is supported by Rush’s second single, which opens the album after a brief intro. These two songs establish a production style that remains consistent throughout the work which utilizes a deep persistent bass and synths to create an ambient feel. This style is common among Atlanta based artists such as 21 Savage and Lil’ Yachty, but Rush differentiates himself by informing his audience that he chose to make music despite his education. “She dusting over the loot that’s lucrative but don’t dare loot the boy/cause my ni**as are suma cum laude but they’ll shoot ya, boy,” he raps on “The Blocks.” However, a theme throughout is that his college experience does not exempt him from discrimination. “I did my lessons, go figure they make a lesson of me,” he says in “Rosebud,” and of course “PSA” contains the infectious hook “I got a college degree, why they be hating on me?”

Rush stays close to the Atlanta trap style in terms of production, although with more of a focus on ambient sounds. Mostly this is achieved with the bass, as mentioned before, with a few exceptions. The bass on “Eddie Bauer” is punches instead of drones like on the other songs, but the dreamy feel is still there thanks to ghostly background vocals and open cymbal hits. “Hennything” utilizes a soft organ to achieve this effect, although the deep, drawn out bass makes an appearance in the latter half of each verse.

Like many of his hometown peers, the famous “triplet flow” popularized by Migos is featured on the album but is used sparingly. It’s most prevalent in the rapid fire deliveries of “The Blocks” and the second verse of “Rosebud” but he’s comfortable with several styles when the tempo is slowed down. Additionally, the rhyme scheme is often creative with Rush incorporating Eminem-esque pronunciation abuse to cause unexpected slant rhymes. For example, in “Hennything” the words “bundle”, “gun do,” “fondue,” and “want to” are paired in a way that seems perfectly natural.

The Verdict

Citizen Keen is a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Rush doesn’t overextend his ambition but neither does he play it safe, finding a happy medium to flex his talent while staying true to the sound of the Atlanta scene. Personally, I found “The Blocks” to be the most fun song on the album, but each track is unique and has something to offer.