released: november 5th, 2025

genre: hip-hop

from: italy (based in london, uk)

label: come thru

a few thoughts: i’ve known em nadjinal for a few years now i believe through come thru, a hip-hop community and cypher event where producers, emcees and singers combine to spit bars over eclectic, locally sourced production. he always stood out to me for his flow and his intricate lyricism, so i was excited to learn that he was working on a new album, predominantly with producer extraordinaire chewbeats (who released a collaborative album not too long ago with rapper andre masters). when was the last time you had jazz?? is a sprawling 13 track album where em nadjinal raps and flows effortlessly in his deep register, reflecting on life in both english and italian, over colourful beats from chewbeats and neo sū, who provide the talented emcee with crisp, soulful production that captures em nadjinal’s energy poignantly. from the opener “let’s get it!!” to the closer “concludendo”, em’s personal and revealing lyrics about life bring us close to the artist, such as on tracks like “eye of the storm” or on the smooth “sub-saharan africa diagnostic centre” featuring hueyt knewsumn. the crisp and uplifting “the feeling is sweet” is another highlight, with an incredible groove, while “resolution2024” is a heartfelt reflection on life, love and the people in his life who have shaped his life and experience. when was the last time you had jazz?? is a personal, reflective and intricate body of work that showcases em nadjinal’s ability to convey deeply personal and resonant lyrics, over crisp, soulful production. it’s a fantastic introduction to the talented artist.

the album: