Having only dropped six days ago, Mist’s new project Diamond In The Dirt has already received an astounding response both from fans and peers alike. With hit single off the EP “Game Changer” becoming Mist’s first single to ever enter the UK’s Top 40, there is high anticipation for the project to place high in the UK charts this Friday.
The nine track long EP is Mist’s first official release since signing to Warner Bros and sees collaborations with some of the UK’s biggest underground and mainstream artists right now, including Not3s, Nines, Mostack, Haile from WSTRN and soulful singing sensation Jessie Ware. Teaming up again with producer Steel Banglez, who has definitely become the 40 to Mist’s Drake, the EP really hones in on Mist’s signature sound channelling his gruff rapping style on top of afrobeat, bashment and grime inspired hip hop beats. The project perfectly showcases Mist’s versatility as it flows between various genres, from the more afrobeat “Display Skills” featuring Mr Eazi and Fekky, to the hard hitting grime of “Mosh Pit” featuring Mostack.
However, whilst at a first glance (or listen should we say), Diamond In The Dirt is full of party bangers with uplifting melodies and choruses you can sing along and bubble to, the underlying message behind the tracks is actually quite a deep one. Delving deep into Mist’s personal struggles and private emotions, the EP functions almost as an open letter to himself as the Birmingham rapper lyrically traces through his troubled past, exploring the pain and turmoil caused by difficult life events and unfortunate circumstances.
The track “Uber” for example, featuring frequent collaborator and tag team MC MoStack, sees Mist touching on topics such as his time in prison and his personal battles against the system. With lyrics like, “Writ this bar in the penna, flows got better, pain on a jailhouse letter,” Mist focuses his rhymes on his tough experiences and homes in on his pain despite the vibesy beat. These themes are continued as a strong motif throughout the entire EP as the Brummie rapper goes on to open up about his uneasy upbringing, the loss of his parents and his relationship with his daughter.
However, despite these being prominent themes in Diamond In The Dirt, rather than dwelling on them, the project focuses more on Mist’s come up despite his past misfortunes and champions his journey from struggle to triumph. As the title suggests, Mist has been able to turn his pain into success, finding that diamond in the dirt so to speak.
Arguably one of his best projects to date, Mist has outshone himself with this tape making music that everyone can vibe to whilst simultaneously expressing a strong message.
Diamond In The Dirt is available to stream on all platforms. Click here to listen to the full EP on GRM Daily.