Flyana Boss - “Candyman”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Missy Elliott, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj

Viral for a reason, rap duo Flyana Boss have an incredible grasp on bringing out the pop side of hip hop while still sounding like themselves. Fun, confident, and propulsive, the tracks on their debut hello christ? i’m bout to sin again bounce in the best of ways. It’s possible to be confident without being so self serious, a vibe that Flyana Boss pull off perfectly throughout these consistently catchy songs. Both rappers in Flyana Boss are keen to break out into weird tones and pronunciations, but they are solidly percussive and on beat too. To be so pop and so anti-pop at once is wild and it shouldn’t go unsaid how tough it is to keep this type of hip hop accessible and together. The LA-based duo have already followed up their EP debut with four new singles since including highlight “Candyman”, an indicator that creativity is pouring out of these inventive artists’ brains at this come-up point in their career. (Kevin McStravick)