Thain links with Hippy K on new track

Hailing from Wichita, Thain is an alternative hip hop artist making an impact in the Midwest music scene with his original solo sonic output. For almost a decade, he’s been sharing his sound through well-received studio releases, kicked off in 2016 with his debut record Idle Mind. Returning in 2020 with his sophomore LP, King Idle, he’s since gone from strength to strength with more releases coming in the form of singles and his third album, Idl3, which landed in April 2023.

Beyond his solo work, Thain has become a collaborator at the centre of his local music ecosystem. Over the years, he’s linked up with an impressive lineup of artists including Ryan Dean, Tim Ya Dig, Kevin Frankamp, Plainview Kiet, Crooked Royal, Audio Paradolia, Kush Powers and Mike Benno, expanding his sound through each creative partnership. Most recently, he’s joined the ranks of For the Birds, a five-piece outfit that fuses alternative hip hop with the energy of modern nu metal. Together, they’ve built a loyal following through a relentless live schedule throughout this year and fans are now anticipating two forthcoming releases that are set to capture their genre-bending chemistry.

Now, following a brief hiatus from solo material, Thain now returns with new material, bringing us his brand new single titled “Still Sick,” this time collaborating with fellow Midwest hip hop artist Hippy K. The track marks the beginning of what feels like a new chapter for Thain that leans into the grit and energy of live performance while distilling the experimental production flourishes that have always been present his sound.

Produced by Steven Shields of Audio Paradolia, “Still Sick” captures a moment of lightning-in-a-bottle creativity; recorded at The Echo Garden in Wichita, the song came together in just a few hours, with Thain, Hippy K and Steven all feeding off each other’s energy. It’s a track that feels a burst of sonic flair built around live instrumentation, punchy verses and the interplay between Thain’s sick delivery and Hippy K’s lively ad-libs. “Still Sick” channels Thain’s biggest influences, artists like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, but the end result is entirely his own.

It’s sharp and self-aware, reflecting the tension and creativity that have always fuelled his music. Opened by the sweep of spacey synth tones, the punch of percussion ushers in biting rapped flows which spin powerful lyricism via razor-sharp delivery. Rolling with alternative rock vibes, the twang of distorted guitar fades in and out as the crisp rattle of the beat maintains a steady forward motion from start to finish.

Cut with memorable hook-driven moments and wrapped in a moody atmosphere, Hippy K’s bright melodic lines flutter above the bridge to add flashes of infectious energy before Thain’s compelling vocals leave a lasting impression of the track. It’s an epic showcase of Thain’s knack for crafting catchy hip hop music that’s original, energising and cutting edge all at once. As he continues to impress both as a solo artist and with his work in For the Birds, we can’t wait to see what this rising artist has in store for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Listen to Still Sick below

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