SALIMATA – The Happening (Album Review)

“The Happening” is SALIMATA’s official arrival — bold, stylish, confident, and dripping with star power from top to bottom.

STREAM

TOP 5 SONGS

5. Fergie

This track is today’s Fergalicious.

The “Fergalicious” influence? Immaculate. SALIMATA references a classic without relying on it, weaving in subtle nods and Easter eggs while keeping the track entirely her own. It’s a club-night snapshot — dancing, drinks, eyes on her, and her knowing damn well she’s the star of the room. Her flow is sharp, teasing, and self-assured, dripping with that Brooklyn attitude that makes you smirk even before the punchlines land.

4. Why u gotta act like???

Have you ever messed with someone who started making you cringe after a while?

SALIMATA is DONE, and she’s letting it be known. This track is a read, a drag, and a callout wrapped into one icy delivery. She’s fed up, she’s over it, and she’s letting whoever this is about feel the heat. The baddie energy is off the charts — smooth flow, cutting lines, and clarity that says, “I’m not wasting another ounce of my time.” It’s one of those tracks that hits extra hard if you’ve ever been played with.

3. Jackpot

This whole song is a contradiction.

The latest single showcases SALIMATA at her sharpest — bars tight, flow relentless, breath control insane. The music is low-key and atmospheric, which somehow makes every punch hit harder. She fits an entire flex within a short runtime without ever sounding rushed or chaotic. The music video, with her lying on a moving motorcycle, only elevates the vibe and shows exactly why people are gravitating toward her. This track is Salimata distilled: witty, cool, composed, and magnetic.

2. Cake Up

No matter what, this track’s gonna eat.

This track leans into that alt-R&B haze that pulls you right into SALIMATA’s world. Soft vocals float over a dreamy beat while she flexes with calm, unshakeable confidence. She’s talking big because she can, and she knows the room listens when she opens her mouth. The wordplay is slick, the delivery is effortless, and the whole track feels like being reclined in the passenger seat of a luxury ride at sunset.

1. it’s like dat

I feel like I’m on a FaceTime call with my bestie.

This track is a whole story, and she tells it like she’s sitting across from you, spilling the tea in real time. The sensual production mixed with the messy, raw, hilarious plot creates this perfect storm of energy. Her flow is confident and dangerously smooth, her bars are unfiltered, and the charisma is unreal. It’s the kind of song you want to memorize instantly just so you can rap along with the same attitude she delivers.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Sweetthang (4/5)

2. Spur (4/5)

3. Let’s Talk About It (4/5)

4. Cake Up (4.5/5)

5. Fergie (4/5)

6. 9-5 (4/5)

7. Sprung (4/5)

8. it’s like dat (4.5/5)

9. Why u gotta act like??? (4/5)

10. Foil (4/5)

11. Centerfold (3.5/5)

12. Cigar Smoke (4/5)

13. Jackpot (4/5)

14. Moonlight (4/5)

RGM RATING

(75%)

SALIMATA blends alt-R&B, hip-hop, and a dash of funk and soul into something that feels both elevated and effortlessly cool on The Happening. The Brooklyn rapper moves through storytelling, flexing, heartbreak, seduction, and straight-up attitude with a fluidity that never breaks the album’s momentum.

Lyrically, she’s quick, clever, and authentic, weaving personality into every bar. The production stays smooth and atmospheric throughout, giving the project a cohesive late-night feel — the type of album that works whether you’re outside at a party or inside unwinding in the dark. Vocally and stylistically, she delivers a sense of ease and swagger that makes the whole project stand out in today’s alt-R&B/rap landscape.

The Happening is a no-skips body of work, with memorable hooks, insane flows, and an energy that proves SALIMATA is carving her own lane — and doing it loudly. If you’re not already tuned in, this album is the perfect place to start.