Jah Allah is channelling New York grit into dark trap…
The NY music scene has always carried a combination of meaningful lyricism over gritty beats, with stars like Biggie setting that standard. And with figures from the Griselda collective putting that same grittiness and punchy lyricism back on the map in a way that now dominates the New York underground, there is another rising artist in this space: Jah Allah, bringing in a trap edge.
Having been on a consistent album dropping spree, Jah Allah has been exploring this territory through a range of regional sounds, from NY drill to boom-baps, the foundation this sound began with. His recent project PLUGTALK sits more in that modern lane, peppered with both funky and dark synths with the bass turned up, self-produced under the alias No Heart Banks. His delivery is melodic but still introspective in its lyricism, with flows that can feel wavy one moment and very fast the next: modern, yet still paying homage to his roots. That ethos, and even the pitch of his voice itself, will remind listeners a lot of Stove God Cooks. Either way, the energy always comes at full force.
A standout track from the album is “Risk It For A Biscuit”, with its beat switch from violin-infused trap into something entirely different, the kind of sound made for a windows-down, full-speed drift. Its personal punchiness also makes it reflective, pushing listeners back onto their own journey of staying locked in. What is most striking is that beat switch itself: how it gradually moves from that trap base into boom-bap as he begins narrating his personal struggles. It is almost a picture of the regionally-inspired diversity he brings to the scene. The flow suddenly turns more laid-back and menacing, and it feels like his dreams and vision are playing out in real time, as though he already knows where he belongs. The project cover itself reinforces that feeling, showing his ruthlessness against a dark city backdrop with sinister undertones.
In fact, throughout his discography, there is a clear alignment between the album art and the music. Connect B4The Plug, another project from earlier this year, shows Jah in a yin-yang display, bringing out a symbolism of pain and progress, especially in a track like “GR3AT”, where his continuous flows speak directly to that idea of how the two are never independent of each other. The trumpets in the background only heighten that sense of upward motion, like a push toward the skies. Every element screams with inspiration, whether as wisdom to change yourself or as comfort in knowing that same drive exists within you.
Go stream PLUGTALK out now!
If you’re a fan, check it out with the links below. Love y’all.
Myra | Mar 18. 2026