One artist to pay attention to is Manchester rapper Just Banco, who developed the melodic rap sound into what he has stamped as “Trapanese.” Sonically, it’s described as taking elements from R&B, trap and rap. Still, he elaborates on it further by saying, “It’s a lifestyle, you have to live it. It’s how you talk, what you wear. The swag’s got to be dripping,” during an interview with Wonderland Magazine.
Let’s bring our attention to his first release of the year entitled “Monica (So Gone),” a continuation from his 2021 singles “Vodafone,” “Bisto,” and “Hayfever Freestyle,” all produced by producer Midi Milz. With witty wordplay like “I’ve been in the soil like Bug’s Life,” Banco blesses the track with smooth, laid-back vocals over the hard-hitting trap beat and intricate piano sequence heard throughout. Banco unravels new flows during the second verse as he raps in a skippier, faster rhythm, evidencing his technical abilities as a rapper.
He sings, “Monica the bricks so gone,” as the somber visuals show him vibing in front of the Dream sculpture by the M62, not far from his home city of Manchester. Not to mention, the clips of Monica’s “So Gone” video playing in the background are an apparent gesture of homage to the 2003 hit song, also reflected in the song’s title and lyrics.
Check out Just Banco’s “Monica (So Gone)” video below:
