Whenever Deliciious (the alter ego of rapper Benetton Lim) releases something new, it’s always interesting to see what he’s about to try next. He might not be the best or most tasteful rapper in Singapore, but he definitely is one of the most earnest and hardest working ones. Hearing the passion he has for his craft, it makes every release of his engaging, as a constantly inspiring study on how much he is able to improve. On Taiji, Lim writes some of his best bars yet – flowing with personality on top of a flute-sampling trap beat, while pairing with a similarly young voice in upcoming spitter Han (AKA Tengyboy), credits to Zendyll Records.

The Soundcloud stylings are more than obvious – its combination of flute samples over overdriven 808s most notably bringing to mind a copy of Kanye West’s most recent single Nah Nah Nah. The track’s thumping 808s could’ve been a little louder and more pronounced, with its lackluster density failing to fill up the track. Yet despite its strongly derivative nature, Taiji’s beatwork isn’t overly obnoxious. It serves the song well – and for the lack of flavour in the beats, he makes up with delivery, which is what really makes the track. Most notably, he shines with his ad-libs, colored with local lingo sprinkled throughout the track (“Kua Simi?” “Simi Taiji?” “Oi! Oi!”). The result is an air of convincing authenticity that transcends the typical corniness accompanying much of his peers (looking at Shigga Shay).

With these ad-libs, his natural accent actually breaks through as one of his great strengths, complementing his flow as he delivers bar after bar – shining particularly on the Hokkien parts of his verse. It results in one of his best outings, with his strong delivery giving the track a High Brothers-esque quality (“Imma be killing my zone/ I’m just gonna be alone / Getting bully from unknown / Getting blown from cyclone/ Never getting on the throne / Never grabbing micro-phones”). Han absolutely kills it on his guest verse as well, and is arguably Taiji’s highlight, both lyrically and in his excellent delivery (“Now my names on the posters/ See this gun that im never gon holster/ Song too hard cant listen to boasters/ Drip too hard think i need a coaster/ Taking credit when I’m doing the most of”). It may not be anything to shout home about as a whole, but hearing how hard the track’s hook goes (translated to “All my guy friends give me so many problems”), you really can’t deny his intensity and conviction.

You can also check out our intimate interview with the mind behind Deliciious, Benetton Lim, here.

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