Earlier today, Dublin rapper JYellowL released ‘Jewels,’ the first single off his upcoming album 2020 D|vision.

The track is upbeat and eclectic. Its beat, light with summery keys, sounds like it could be on a Lil Yachty song. JYellowL’s flow, in contrast, is nimble and intense. Spitting out the chorus he almost sounds like Denzel Curry on ‘Ultimate.’

Describing the track, JYellowL said “‘Jewels’ is a celebration of our multifaceted nature, as well as the complexity of the human condition. It’s about recognising our worth and understanding that we are all inherently valuable and that our value may just manifest itself in different realms.”

This is not the rapper’s first track to take on big issues. JYellowL, whose given name is Jean-Luc Uddoh, has a degree in politics from University College Dublin.

He frequently explores issues of international politics, racism and inequality in his music: his 2017 track ‘Cold In The Summer’ addresses the legacy of slavery with lyrics such as “Black oppression is all that the kids are learning.”

Earlier this month, JYellowL spoke to a crowd of thousands at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin. According to a press release, the rapper called for a “radically inclusive and anti-racist” future in Ireland.

It is in part due to this political consciousness—and the tightly crafted lyrics through which he expresses it—that JYellowL has been recognised as a rising star in Irish rap. A VICE Magazine profile singled him out as “on the crest of a wave of young artists in Ireland with an increasingly political bent.”

JYellowL has received other forms of recognition, too. He has released two EPs: 2018’s Bulletproof and 2019’s Me N Me 2. After supporting NELLY and Jay Rock on their Irish tours, JYellowL gave solo performances at festivals including Longitude, Red Bull Gaf Party and Electric Picnic.

Earlier this week, JYellowL performed online as part of the Y&E Series of concerts sponsored by Hot Press and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

2020 D|vision is set to come out on December 4 on his own label, JYellowL Records Ltd. You can stream the first single from the album on Spotify below.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5R6z1TCEk8aOiNlK85fnoz?si=27GnBJoNT16v2a8yBMx8uw