A captivating hip-hop/rap tune that offers an intimate look at the artist’s experiences.
North Oakland-raised Genra (aka John Gilchrist) is a multi-talented artist with deep musical roots. Growing up on the sounds of Stevie Wonder, BeBe, and CeCe Winans, Genra began recording his own work on cassette tapes in middle school. “Growing up in Oakland, people would hear me rap and sing and often say, ‘you have your own style—it’s like you’re your own genre.'” And thus, the name Genra was born. Reflecting on his musical influences, he says, “I grew up on Bay Area music. I lived through the hyphy movement, but I still loved Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief. That’s what I practiced.” Genra’s latest release is the hip-hop/rap single “Insecure.”
With a mesmerizing blend of melodic beats and jazzy instrumentals, “Insecure” provides the perfect uplifting backdrop to complement the tune’s compelling narrative. Lyrics like “I been at work, I been with my lady, I been at the doctors, We finna have a baby, I been at the crib, Peeping the Mercedes, Blocking in my Honda, I just been waiting” and “A fan hit me on the gram like ‘where you been dawg?,’ Makin’ Venn diagrams to bring in the income” reveal the artist reflecting on his personal and musical journey and how they’ve impacted one another. Fueled by thought-provoking introspection and a wonderfully timeless vibe, Genra gifts us with a captivating hip-hop/rap tune that offers an intimate look at the artist’s experiences. So press play and discover why Genra’s been feeling “Insecure.”
Chicago based writer and creative. Fan of 80’s horror, fancy coffee drinks, and late night drives.
