southpaw links with Era 51 on “? Myself”

Coming out of San Francisco’s creative underground, southpaw is an exciting artist and producer in the modern music sphere, crafting an engrossing lo-fi sonic world. With an ear tuned to subtle emotion and a flair for collaboration, southpaw’s music sits in the space where genre fades and feeling takes over, offering a blend of reflection, sonic experimentation and connection.

Their creative output is built on atmosphere and tone rather than showmanship, resulting in music that rewards close listening while inviting new voices into the spotlight. Since first making an entrance in September 2024 with their debut EP Pugilists Anonymous, southpaw has shown an ability to curate sounds and artists that feel at once cohesive and entirely original.

That first release introduced a sound defined by texture and mood, presenting five tracks formed with lo-fi beats, smoky melodies and forward-thinking production. Featuring collaborations with ODDESY, Saxon, Seth Sutch, AJARY and Naww G, the project served as both an introduction and a statement; southpaw is creating spaces where different creative identities could collide and develop together.

Last year they returned with the single “Clocked Out” featuring Ac.LPC and now they’ve hit the ground running in 2026 with the brand new track titled “? Myself,” this time linking up with Era 51 for a collaborative release. Era 51, a rising artist shaping their own space in alternative rap, hip hop and R&B, brings a magnetic energy to the track and together, the two artists strike a deft balance between nostalgia and cutting edge sound, creating a musical experience that feels equally accessible and forward-thinking.

Brought in by the gentle sweep of woozy synth textures, the intricate shuffle of dusty percussive shots ushers in Era 51’s mellow vocal delivery that rolls with smooth rapped flow to form an immersive soundscape. Mesmeric, subtly catchy and thoroughly original all at once, “? Myself” sees southpaw and Era 51 serve up a superb collaboration that draws on their respective talents to craft a track that’s more than the sum of its parts.

Wrapped up in a slick seventy-second dose of hazy lo-fi hip hop, “? Myself” presents a wholly absorbing jam that’s sure to win over new and existing listeners alike. With just a handful of releases, southpaw has already begun to map out a clear artistic identity; thoughtful but open, experimental yet accessible, emotional without being overstated. As they continue to lay down stellar musical works, we can’t wait to see what this talented and creative producer has in store for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Listen to ? Myself below

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