Small: “SMALL World” Single Review
By: Kaila Cherry
SMALL world is the debut single by 18 year old Bay Area graphic designer, photographer, and video artist Jamahl Edwards. Under the alias Small, Edwards wrote, performed and co-produced the track. Coming in at 2 minutes and 25 seconds long, Small succinctly tells a story of personal and cultural insecurity as he struggles to navigate the environments he has been made privy to without his control. “SMALL world” is a pensive track that encourages reflection as we are let into the intimate mental space of the artist who spills his soul out to us like we are his journal. With the pure authenticity of Small’s lyricism and delivery, we are able to easily open ourselves up to him and eagerly give him the space he needs to speak his truth.
The track opens with a flash forward to a later part of the song. Slowed and pitched down over a droning guitar melody that carries throughout the track, Small recounts an account of theft enforced by the immaculate lyric “reaving spirits Keanu sees when it drops.” Once the song transitions from the intro into the main track, Small keeps his voice deep and grainy as he raps “It’s a small world we live in/It’s a small hurl to fit in.” As the narrative of “SMALL world” unfolds, what reveals itself are the lamentations of someone who has been forced into conformity and yearns to be free of such constrictions on their personhood. Lost in a world of pills, spirits, and hitting licks, the narrator cannot distinguish the real from the fake or the good from the evil. Through confusion, however, there is hope (or desperation) for salvation. Maybe a Hail Mary or a prayer will allow Small to transcend their material condition. Or perhaps it is this very faith that further plunges him into uncertainty.
A very moody track, “SMALL world” employs fairly bare bones yet emotive production. The guitar is the most tangible aspect of the instrumental, bright against the brooding sound of the percussion. A subtle synth adds an element of dreaminess to the song, further enforcing the bittersweet energy of SMALL world. One could easily compare Small’s musical style to that of Earl Sweatshirt, the king of solemn and introspective rap music today. Both dare to explore their dark emotions with the utmost care for themselves and the listener, creating something that is undeniably moving without being wholly triggering. To see this vulnerability, especially from Black men who are hypermasculinized by society, is not only incredible, but revolutionary.
“SMALL world” may be Small’s first song but it is not amateur by any means. He has hit the ground running with what has quickly become one of my favorite singles of the year. It is easy to look at what is trending on Spotify or Apple Music and add that to your music library. However, more often than not, some of the best music out there is being made by unknowns. Their work is hiding in plain sight. As music fans, it is imperative that we stay curious and receptive to new sounds, new styles, and new artists. The work of Small is the perfect place to start.
Listen to “SMALL world” here:
Follow Small on Instagram: @jamahl_edwards
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