Fugative is an extremely young man for the success he has already
achieved. Having just turned 17 at the time of writing, ‘Go Hard’
is Fugative’s sixth single to date, with previous singles topping the
independent charts.
So how does this new track stack up?
‘Go Hard’ falls between the middle of the rap / pop style which has
incubated artists such as N-Dubz and Tinchy Strider. Compulsive beats
and electronic instrumentation back well delivered rapping. The track is
fairly catchy and well produced.
However, it is also ordinary and generic in the extreme with very little
to distinguish its sound from legions of similar acts. On the other hand,
the two featured artists add a nice change of flavour, each taking one of
the song’s three verses. However all follow the same fast-paced rhythmic
style, limiting the potential variety their presence could have achieved.
Lyrically, ‘Go Hard’ is very much modern rap, where pointless bragging
and empty catchphrases eclipse any deeper meaning you might hear from
older acts like NWA or even Eminem.
‘Go Hard’ is not a bad track per se, and depending on his level of
overall input, a very impressive achievement for the young Fugative.
However, there is little here which doesn’t appear empty, vapid, and
commercial. Fugative is no doubt has talent/ although I will be interested
to see if other tracks provide a better vehicle to convey it.
5.5/10
By Dave Barnett
