Channel Tres Shouts Out His Native Compton on "Black Moses" with JPEGMAFIA

image

Photo: Devyn Galindo

Compton, California, is notorious for breeding some of the most legendary names in rap music. Located in south-central Los Angeles county, the hometown of gangsta rap has been the training ground for superstar emcees for decades, producing talent from Dr. Dre to Kendrick Lamar. Among Compton's freshest exports is Channel Tres, who with the release of latest single "Black Moses" reminds everybody that the city of less than 100,000 is still the hip-hop capital of the world.

Built over a beat comprised of thunderous bass and rattling hi-hat, "Black Moses" continues a long tradition of highly political music to come out of Compton's scene. The title references American soul artist Isaac Hayes. Hayes, bestowed with the nickname Black Moses during his career, first rejected the name before embracing it as a symbol of black power. In the hook of the track, Channel reflects on his own complex feelings of responsibility for his family and community, spitting, "Ain't about me, ain't about me / Gotta kick it up 'cause my n*ggas hungry / Throw money in the air, can't drop the ball / If I do, Black Moses on call / Ain't about me, ain't about me." Throw in a fiery verse from former tour-mate JPEGMAFIA, and you've got a track that hits hard both sonically and lyrically.

2019 has already been one hell of a year for Channel Tres. In addition to supporting Childish Gambino on his Australian tour dates, the rapper made appearances at some of the world's most esteemed festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, Movement, and Primavera Sound. If that wasn't enough, he's also been hard at work in the studio, working on remixes for Mark Ronson, Toro y Moi, Smino, and August 08 in addition to recording his own sophomore EP.

Channel's Black Moses EP is set to release Aug. 16. In the meantime, bump the title track here:

Related Articles

fakemink, Ecco2k, and Mechatok Link for the Trance-Inducing "MAKKA"

fakemink, Ecco2k, and Mechatok Link for the Trance-Inducing "MAKKA"

May 15, 2025 “MAKKA” has the potential to be the star child in fakemink’s near-perfect catalog.
Author: Jazmin Kylene
rap
PinkPantheress Delivers a Technicolor Pop Joyride in 'Fancy That'

PinkPantheress Delivers a Technicolor Pop Joyride in 'Fancy That'

May 10, 2025 “This tape marks a huge milestone for me as an artist.”
Author: Jazmin Kylene
pop
Snow Wife Announces Bodyology EP Alongside Sexy New Single “Sweat”

Snow Wife Announces Bodyology EP Alongside Sexy New Single “Sweat”

May 9, 2025 The single’s release follows the announcement of Snow Wife’s upcoming EP Bodyology, which is out June 6th.
Author: Rebeccah Blau
pop