Thirteendegrees creates awesome sonics w/ release “BLACK FRIDAYZ”

Thirteendegrees situates himself in the tension between nostalgia and futurism. His sonic palette seems to be a study in contrast, the warm & sweeping synths of mixtape era melody rap, paired with occasional sharp edges and lyricism that flirts with authenticity without overreaching. From the first few seconds, “BLACK FRIDAYZ” signals ambition, it wants to feel lush, widescreen, & a little cinematic. The production is polished with synth pads, risers, ambient textures, and there’s a clear aesthetic impulse. The album leans into nostalgia but with a modern gloss. That balance is the album’s spine..

Genre wise, it sits in the melodic rap “luxury trap” space, not full on trap rage, not straight boom bap, but somewhere between melody, mood, and trap energy. One of the strongest things about “BLACK FRIDAYZ” is how the songs though varied feel like they could inhabit the same world sonically. The transitions in energy, texture, & tone are deliberate but not jarring. Thirteendegrees shows a good ear for melody, both in the hooks and in how vocal lines weave around the beat. He doesn’t just rap over the beat, he folds into it..

Tracks like “Palace” and “Fake Killa” stand out because they reach with wide synths, layered atmospheres, and moments of lift. The production feels like it’s trying to sculpt space, not just fill it. He isn’t afraid to dip into quieter moments (“Ghetto Hipster,” “Drive Safe”) where the album’s energy cools and you can hear more space. That contrast helps the more energetic tracks hit harder..

“BLACK FRIDAYZ” is a stepping stone into building more into the future of Chicago’s sound and culture. It’s a strong move. It positions Thirteendegrees as someone thinking bigger than single tracks, & someone building a world more than chasing trends. If this is a “chapter one” for a more mature version of himself, it definitely succeeds. We are hoping the next project will have even more moments that show the sharpening in the writing, leaning further into the risks, and deepening the emotional content even more..

If he can find moments that surprise, breaks in form, raw confession, & more sonic bets, “BLACK FRIDAYZ” might look like the start of something more than just a project, it could be the pivot toward a signature..

Take a listen & let us know what you think..