Hip Hop from Flynn Johnson

In the Irish hip hop scene, Flynn Johnson is a unique and exciting artist wielding a lyrical style built on a thoughtful philosophical approach that captures the essence of Dublin life through his own lens. From his roots as a precocious youth to his current status as a compelling voice in the Irish music scene, Flynn’s journey is marked by unfiltered storytelling and a profound societal insight, rooted in his early engagement with literature and realism.

First making his entrance back in 2015, he linked up with pioneering Irish hip hop producer Bitter Rocc on his debut single “Feel Alright” before dropping his critically acclaimed debut EP In The Meantime with guidance from ROC (Bitter Rocc’s newer alias). Since 2019, Flynn’s shared a string of well received singles with collaborations with producers like Odd Numbers and more work with ROC saw him go from strength to strength, racking up tens of thousands of streams with each release.

Last year he penned a deal with leading indie Irish imprint Golden Éire Records alongside artists such as Wallfella and previous collaborator Odd Number, with whom Flynn dropped his last single “Born in a Barn.” As he gears up for the release of his highly anticipated debut album later in 2024, Flynn describes the upcoming project as “a love letter to the estate and a thank-you note for the lessons it taught me.”

Now ushering in the next chapter of his musical story, he brings us his brand new single titled “CALEN MADE ME DO IT.” His first release via Golden Éire Records the track is a reflection on Flynn’s experiences as a new father delivered via his unrelenting passion for hip hop. Featuring the voice of his young son, Calen, Flynn leverages this unique collaboration to frame his sonic output in a completely new context, complemented by a beat crafted by ROC.

Opened by a bright blend of shimmering sonic textures and gently plodding bass lines, an airy and whimsical scene takes hold, peppered by samples of Flynn’s son’s voice. Flynn’s slick flows enter as the takes gradually takes flight with deep 808 bass rumbles and pounding drum shots. Injecting subtle pace int he beat with intricate hi hat taps, Flynn’s voice slips into rapid delivery, threading his trademark meaningful lyricism via a performance that balances commanding vocal power with his charming Irish accent.

Production wise, ROC manages to craft a superb blurring of cutting edge impact with a vintage old school aesthetic, perfectly backing up Flynn’s songwriting and vocal panache to deliver a track that’s at once razor-sharp and enduring. With his debut full-length record on the horizon and his new creative partnership with Golden Éire Records, 2024 is looking like it will be another stellar year for Flynn Johnson.

Commenting on the single, Flynn Johnson shares, “From the moment Calen came into the world, I knew I wanted to create something that lives forever with his toddler voice on it. Something we could look back on in years to come and laugh at or dance to; my version of an old bound photo album or camcorder videos. I wrote this from a perspective of protecting Calen with my words. My art has kept me safe for as long as I can remember and I’ve always felt like if I can offer my child anything, it’s the knowledge I’ve picked up along the way.”

Listen to CALEN MADE ME DO IT below

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