Consisting of rappers JAYDeZZY, Donny, PRETT¥ $TONED, and FRoZONe, St47ic first emerged in 2020 with the trap bangers Idwk and Telegram – but since that hot start, they’ve been laying dormant for well over a year, with the latter single even vanishing from streaming services. Breaking that radio silence on their return single, Altior Potentia, it’s a comforting thing that they’re still wielding the same braggadocious, aggression on their bars – over woozy trap production, St47tic flex engaging flows, witty lyricism, and a truculent attitude. Yet, despite Altior Potentia meaning “Higher Power” in Latin, the track unfortunately doesn’t transcend its more derivative tendencies.

The rappers share a good chemistry, and all of them bring vigorous performances within their tight, varied flows. At the track’s finest, St47ic find genuine conviction in their verses (“Send his brother’s head on his doorstep / Make him pay a fucking shipping fee”) or deliver darkly humorous puns. (“My spirit resemble the architect / Arch her back before I put it in”) It’s an energy complimented by the track’s ominous beatwork, which adds to its dangerous sense of hedonism and machismo. 

However, despite its sense of grit, its beat still feels muddy, monotonous, and bare-bones. Most of all, the track lacks the irreverent cheek and  energy that made their previous single, Telegram, an infectiously fun ride. With that monotony holding them down, the group’s ineffectual attempts at rap game braggadocio (“Man, none of these rappers impress me / Wish one of these suckers would test me”) fall flat and in fact backfire, with its nature feeling run of the mill and lacking in overall substance.

St47ic still remains a group to be watched, with their impressive technical chops and undeniable chemistry bringing immense potential to the table. At their best, the rappers are more than able to conjure intriguing glimpses into their menacing world. It’s just a shame that Altior Potentia’s one-note production choices and mostly unconvincing lyricism leave so much to be desired.

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