Sir Michael Rocks – Populair [EP]

Sir Michael Rocks is something of an enigma in the hip-hop community. His sense of fashion, which drew the attention of A$AP Rocky in a Complex TV feature, ranges from a Kimono and drop crotch pants to the Gucci Mane-meets-Pokemon clothing designs of his own Exotic Gourmet line. A former member of the cult rap duo The Cool Kids, the Chicago emcee has a long-standing obsession with nature, from protesting at the Miami Seaquarium to teasing his fans with his own National Geographic show. As for his visuals, the lead single from the Populair EP, “Perfect,” which debuted via The A.V. Club, finds the rapper battling himself in a pixelated Street Fighter video game.

Premiered by Complex, the Populair EP, which officially releases Friday, Sept. 11th, is the followup to last year’s Banco. Whereas Banco featured guest artists Mac Miller, Twista, and Iamsu!, the more personal and retrospective Populair features no guests. The Chicago roots are evident, particularly on the footwork-inspired, Aegyokiller-produced “Come Outside” and “L.M.B.,” and the project’s closing song, “Alone,” is possibly Rocks’ most personal song to date as he reflects on a break-ups and variety of other topics that’ve left him lonely. Together Banco and the Populair EP create Banco Populair, a reference to the Spanish financial institution of the same name.

Stream: Sir Michael Rocks – Populair

Tracklist

1. “In My Mode” (Prod. by Sir Michael Rocks)
2. “Come Outside” (Prod. by Aegyokiller)
3. “Pull Up” (Prod. by Indigochildrick)
4. “L.M.B.” (Prod. by Aegyokiller)
5. “Perfect” (Prod. by T-Deezy & Lord Loud)
6. “Drowning in the French” (Prod. by Aegyokiller)
7. “Quality Time Lapse” (Prod. by Sir Michael Rocks)
8. “Alone” (Prod. by Aegyokiller)