Premiere: Reppa Ton Continues His Musical Elevation On “Bank4Bank”
For nearly a decade, Reppa Ton has been making a name for himself as one of Richmond’s most vibrant hip-hop artists with a bombastic sound that’s anchored by charismatic talent which makes fans flock to each new joint and project. Albums like Here4u and A Flower In The Pot helped establish his musical vision while singles like “Rockin With” and “Magic Treehouse” showcased his versatility and ability to capture diverse moods within his music. Recently, the enterprising musician was featured as part of the deep line-up for the RVA Rapper’s Delight at The Hippodrome where he delivered an astounding opening set that cemented his claim as one of Richmond’s premiere artists, hip-hop or not. Following up on that dynamite performance, Reppa Ton is returning with a new single entitled “Bank4Bank” that further develops his lyrical prowess and musical clout. Out everywhere on Saturday, August 26th, his latest song is another striking entry into an already rich catalog that illustrates how much Reppa has grown over the years as well as reveals how much ground he’s still looking to cover going forward. Today, The Auricular is excited to premiere this track with an exclusive stream of it below, a few days before it officially hits streaming platforms.
“Picture me rolling with ice in my veins,” Reppa pitches over a swirling sample at the start, a scenario that easily manifests itself as the song picks up steam. That ice hardens his lyrical mettle as he rolls through the track armed with a tight beat and churning sound while laying down sharp bars with pointed words. “How you hate on a n**** that built his own platform,” he ponders, addressing the target placed on the backs of ascending hip-hop artists. Punchy and memorable, it’s a quick retort in a song full of proclamations that only reinforce that initial scenario: a confident rapper turning in a clutch performance right after one of his most notable live performances to date.
After a barrage of memorable swings, the flow eases up and lets the wavy ambiance take control as the titular message punctuates each musical phrase. Reppa lets the song breathe here, opting for a quick reprieve with neo-soul reveries instead of overflowing the sharp beat with lyrical finesse. Before long though, Reppa tilts the mic and begins the second verse with even more stout lyrical blows. “I ain’t here to boast,” he utters with a musical jab, turning the verbal barrage into a flashy flurry as he locks into the core of the song to deliver his message. Clever structure and dynamic rhythms help propel the second verse past the first, before he lets up on the final blow, choosing to glance instead of finish in order to leave some surprises for the next song that he’ll lend his commanding voice to. Always leave the people wanting more, right? That’s exactly what Reppa does here with a stunning performance that hopefully means the next single or mixtape is right around the corner.
“Bank4Bank” is Reppa’s second single in 2023 after “Cinéma Bay” this past April, an equally remarkable song that showcases how Reppa’s poise and dexterity let him cast a wide net when defining his sound. Together, the two songs make him one of the most distinct voices in Richmond today, which is a feat with so many tracks and tapes under his belt already. Each one continues to raise his stature in town, not just in terms of recognition either. With each new song, bar, and phrase, Reppa improves, becoming a more potent and influential artist with rising talent that makes a song like “Bank4Bank” so memorable even in a short runtime. Melodic yet brazen. Commanding yet graceful. It’s a track that reminds us that Reppa Ton’s placement at Richmond’s celebration for hip-hop’s 50th birthday was no fluke, something he’ll keep proving time and time again.
“Bank4Bank” will be released to all streaming platforms on Saturday, August 26th, which you can pre-save by clicking here. Make sure to follow Reppa Ton on Instagram to stay up-to-date on new music, shows, and more.
