Hip-hop thrives on artists breaking the mould of what’s working and introducing something that’s inspired but uniquely theirs. The best artists take what’s familiar and twist it into something that carries their personal stamp, making their music unmistakable. Innovation in hip-hop doesn’t always mean reinventing the wheel—it’s about injecting authenticity into the sound, giving listeners something they didn’t know they needed. Birds of a Feather is Rayjew’s attempt at this, bringing his influences, experiences, and instincts into one unpredictable project.
Born in the USA, raised in Visakhapatnam, and now based in Noida artist Rayjew across nine tracks and 25 minutes, has given us an EP that feels like a montage made from snapshots of different lives rather than a singular narrative. It’s ambitious in its emotional range and stylistic variety, sometimes to the point of feeling scattered. But within that disorder lies something real—an artist searching for his sound, experimenting, and refusing to be boxed in.
Rayjew’s Indian-American identity, his influences, and his love for collaboration all play a part in this project. He doesn’t settle into one style, jumping between haunting introspection, club-ready anthems, and classic hip-hop bravado. The transitions can be jarring, but they also make for an unpredictable listen—one that demands your complete attention.
At its core, Birds of a Feather is about resilience. Rayjew explains, “People often see birds as carefree, but in reality, they fight for survival every day.” The metaphor works, but the album itself doesn’t fully commit to this idea. Instead, it feels like each track exists in its own world, with the only unifying thread being Rayjew himself.
The Sound: A Mixed Bag of Styles and Influences
Rayjew’s production choices are bold and varied. “The foundation of any track starts with the beat—it sets the tone before a single word is spoken,” he says. That philosophy is evident, as each track takes on a life of its own. Some are deeply atmospheric, while others are more straightforward in their approach.
Tracks like Flow & Flight and Are You Not Entertained rely on hypnotic grooves, while Broke Days leans into a more somber tone. Collaborators like Aman&Nik, Gxndhrva, Ardnt, Abdul, scoolboypax, Satvik, and Jay.k bring variety, though not always cohesion. “Each feature felt like a natural extension of the story, not just a guest appearance,” Rayjew says. While that’s true in some cases, in others, the features add to the album’s scattered feeling rather than solidifying its themes.
Notable Tracks
While the EP is varied in style and execution, a few tracks stand out as particularly compelling. Hatched Dreams opens the project with an eerie, slow-building atmosphere, and the chorus hits with emotional intensity. The vocal inflections here feel raw and deliberate, setting a high bar for what follows. The way the track builds into itself, layering the production subtly until it reaches its peak, makes it one of the most immersive moments on the album.
“The phase representing adulthood and settling down was the hardest. It’s easy to capture emotions like rebellion or ambition because they’re intense, but portraying acceptance and peace without making it sound dull was a challenge,” Rayjew explains.
Myna offers one of the most unique moments on the album, layering Hindi verses over jazzy instrumentals. The steady bass and skipping beat allow LexN’s voice to dictate the pacing, making for a hypnotic listen. Are You Not Entertained brings the EP’s best hook, diving straight into melody before gradually building into a strong, memorable refrain. The pacing here is one of the best on the project, keeping the momentum high while allowing the melody to shine.
“Being Indian-American, I’ve always felt a mix of two worlds—This conflict naturally seeped into the EP, especially in how I portray phases like rebellion and responsibility. There’s also a deeper sense of longing and identity in my music, which I think comes from navigating these two cultures.”
On the more experimental side, Broke Days delivers an intoxicating feel with its simple yet effective beat, allowing Aman & nik’s almost slurred delivery to create a woozy atmosphere. The production plays tricks on the ears, moving in and out like shifting consciousness. It’s one of those songs that sneaks up on you, with layers that reveal themselves over multiple listens.
““A lot of people write their verses/hooks based on the mood the beat evokes, but when I put together a project, the process is a little different,” Rayjew explains. “It almost always begins with assigning what I feel the beat best conveys and where it fits logically in the storytelling progression.”
What’s most exciting about Birds of a Feather is how it showcases Rayjew’s artistic versatility. He doesn’t hesitate to try different sounds, and while that sometimes leads to a lack of cohesion, it also results in several standout moments that feel fresh and original. The album may not have a perfectly unified sound, but the moments where everything clicks make it clear that Rayjew is carving out a space for himself in hip-hop’s ever-evolving landscape.
“I wanted the EP to feel like life itself—where you don’t stay in one mood for too long. Sometimes you’re questioning everything, and other times you just want to celebrate the moment. The tracklist was structured to reflect those shifts naturally”
Final Thoughts: A Bold Step Forward
Despite its scattered nature, Birds of a Feather is showcases Rayjew’s willingness to take risks. This is an artist unafraid to step outside conventional boundaries. The album showcases his lyrical ability, production instincts, and genre-fluid approach, proving that he has something fresh to offer.
As a whole, the EP feels like an artist stretching his wings, testing out different flight patterns, and learning how to soar. The best moments on Birds of a Feather suggest that Rayjew is on the cusp of something special. There’s a raw honesty in his music that makes the listening experience rewarding. If this EP is just the beginning, it’s an exciting glimpse into what’s ahead. Rayjew is an artist worth keeping an eye on, and Birds of a Feather is a compelling introduction to his evolving sound. Whatever he does next, it’s clear he’ll continue experimenting—and that’s exactly what hip-hop needs.
