Alex Forte releases debut EP

Cleveland-based rapper and producer Alex Forte crafts his own brand of jazz-infused hip hop guided by a deep sense of cultural identity, resulting in music that’s as thoughtful as it is rhythmically engaging. From the age of twelve, Alex has been building a sonic world that borrows from the past but speaks defiantly to the present, blending old-school soul with modern insight. With touchstones like Q-Tip, Kid Cudi and J. Cole shaping his artistic lens, his sound pays homage to his inspirations while offering something entirely original.

Growing up in the Midwest, Alex soaked in the wide range of influences passed down through family and found inspiration in formative albums like Midnight Marauders and The College Dropout. But his musical vision soon expanded beyond those borders. Jazz fusion, Brazilian MPB, reggae and soul began to echo in his compositions, forming an output as diverse and diasporic as the themes he tackles. Whether he’s speaking on love, cultural pride or the complex context of Black identity, Alex delivers it all through lyricism that’s meaningful and music meant to connect, not just entertain.

After first appearing on the scene with 2017’s debut single “Summer Jazz,” he’s dropped a trail of impressive tracks and collaborations, building a catalogue that shows both talent and artistic range. Known for his unique production style and razor-sharp vocal work, he’s made an impact where boom bap rhythms meet philosophical musings and where every beat feels wrapped in soul.

Now with his brand new debut EP titled Morena, Alex Forte offers his most personal and cohesive project to date. The five-track release serves up an Afro-diasporic exploration of self, survival and shared humanity, drawing thematic influence from the film City of God, he layers his own experience as a Black man in America with the imagery and struggles of Afro-Brazilian life. It’s a powerful, cinematic record, brimming with pride and pain, strength and rhythm.

The title Morena nods to a term often used in Brazil to describe women with darker complexions., distilling both a personal identification and a larger cultural solidarity, illuminating the shared beauty and hardship within the African diaspora. Citing Brazilian legend Seu Jorge as a key influence, using MPB textures to enrich his usual hip hop sound, “I wanted to create a blend of American hip hop and MPB to have a more universal world vibe,” he explains.

Jumping in with “Carnival,” the crisp snap of drums, swirling instrumental textures and slick rapped flows combine to cast a spacey rap jam full of upbeat vibes, grooving rhythm and picture painting lyricism. “Amazonas” follows with a smooth, subtly moody outing where jazzy flickers of instrumentation, punchy beats and bouncy vocal performance combine to deliver a transportive soundscape that’s infectious grooving and catchy throughout.

With “Bizarre Ride,” he lays down a hazy sound of hazy instrumental tones, lively uptempo rhythms and expressive vocal leads that roll over the shuffling backdrop, cut with smokey vocal samples to offer a stunning slice of his soulful alternative hip hop sound. Title track “Morena” flows with intricate percussion, pulsing bass lines and smooth rap leads on a track that deftly balances breezy instrumentation with commanding vocals, resulting in a memorable listening experience from start to finish.

Closing the EP with “Oasis (Free My Soul),” a vintage aesthetic swells as Alex’s compelling vocals glide in to craft an engaging sound brimming with pattering drums, misty instrumental elements and silky backing vocalisations, offering a superb finale to his sensational debut EP. With Morena, he delivers an EP that moves past identity as theme and transforms it into sound, it’s a celebration, a reflection and most of all, a reminder that hip hop’s global heartbeat is alive and well.

Listen to Morena below