Although there are quite a few prominent Dominican-American rappers, there aren’t many from the Dominican Republic who managed to make a splash overseas. It’s why it’s impressive to think rapper J Noa, who hails from San Cristóbal, has already done so at 18 years old.
Recently, she attended the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony, where her song “Autodidacta” was nominated for Best Rap/Hip Hop Song. The song also happens to be the title track to her latest EP, released earlier this year in May.
On “SPICY,” J Noa earns the title and turns up the heat in what might be one of her best rap performances, complete with a cover of a makeshift Molotov Tabasco bottle sporting her face on the front.
All in three minutes, J Noa unleashes a barrage of bars, talking herself up in the wake of the many accomplishments she reached before she even turned 18. The modern boom-bap beat helps her stand out against other rappers in the Dominican Republic and the United States, who are more likely to opt for traditional trap beats. It helps that it also compliments her flow, which is similar to British MC Little Simz’s style of rapping. That is if Simz took her speed to an 11 and rapped in Spanish.
The stream of conscious sound to her rapping makes it seem effortless, as if such a track is just another day for her in the studio. Of the many lines in the single, J Noa’s favorite is “when I say, ‘only if Biggie, Tupac or Cancerbero resurrect they can compare me to another rapper.’” Admittedly, it’s big talk for someone still starting out and honing in on their sound. But, “SPICY” more than proves there’s evidence to her argument.
While there’s still a month left in 2023, J Noa already has a busy 2024 ahead of her. In March, she will be making her festival debut at the Isle of Light in the Dominican Republic. Moving forward, the sudden influx of success meant that she also had to switch things up and acknowledge there was much to celebrate.
Cool Gifts for Music Lovers
The best concert earplugs to protect your hearing
This guitar is adorable! Aspiring musician?
Style & Function: Impress friends at your next party
“I wrote this song talking about me, who I am, my achievements as an artist,” said J Noa. “This single represents a shift in my career because I speak on things I haven’t dared to touch on before, just like the title it’s ‘spicy.’”
Words: David Sosa
“SPICY” by J Noa is out on all streaming services. For more on new music and potential shows, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
This post may contain affiliate links. Ads and affiliate links are how independent blogs like Grimy Goods can operate. Thank you for supporting our work and being a part of our music community.
