In 2024, fresh off his well-received debut album ‘Kitab’, Sudanese rapper Tageel surprised fans and the Sudanese rap scene alike by announcing his decision to step back from music. It was an unexpected move, especially given the impact of ‘Kitab’, a project that established him not as a commercial heavyweight but as a conceptual artist with a honed vocal delivery, sharp lyricism and strong storytelling skills. The two-disc album resonated with rap fans, earning Tageel a level of recognition that cemented his place in both the Sudanese and regional rap scenes. However, his sudden exit - coupled with his masked identity - only deepened the intrigue surrounding him, making his return all the more anticipated.
Now, Tageel is back with a new mini-album bearing a weighty title: ‘Sorry 4 The Weight’. Here, he veers away from the sound he introduced on ‘Kitab’, embracing a trap-rage fusion while tackling introspective themes. He reflects on his unexpected hiatus, shares his perspective on the music industry, and asserts his presence - his “weight.” Powered by Hamadaboi’s production, the instrumentals are short, bass-heavy, and rage-focused, flirting with garage and drum & bass elements. This sonic backdrop allows Tageel to deliver an understated yet razor-sharp vocal performance, with ad-libs playing a significant role in shaping the overall sound of the EP.
Spanning just nine minutes across five tracks, the project flows naturally, with each song bleeding naturally into the next. The coherence of the production enhances this effect, creating an immersive listening experience. Tageel mirrors this consistency in his delivery - there are no dramatic shifts in tone or direction. Instead, he adopts a restrained approach, allowing the production to shine equally alongside his verses. “زول جديد برو ماكس” (“New guy, pro max”), he declares on the opener ‘Pro Max’, signaling a subtle reinvention. As he navigates the fast-paced instrumental, his bars feel scattered yet fluid, serving more as rhythmic inserts than traditionally structured verses - a defining characteristic of the rage sound.
‘Tany Tany Tany’ picks up where the opener leaves off, maintaining a similar intensity. Here, Tageel’s bars land with weight, wit and precision. He gets introspective without becoming overly dramatic, reflecting on his hiatus, the butterfly effect and the inner workings of the music industry. His lines are sharp, carefully crafted, and effortlessly delivered. ‘Tgl Interlude’ stands out as one of the most compelling interludes in recent memory, disrupting the flow of the first two tracks while setting up a seamless transition into ‘Ba3aty’. On this track, Hamadaboi delivers some of his best production on the EP, layering looping synths over a driving bassline. This time, the instrumental recedes slightly, allowing Tageel’s voice to take centre stage. His flow is aggressive and commanding, making ‘Ba3aty’ the most impactful cut on the record.
Tageel’s return adds weight to the growing influence of the Sudanese rap scene, a movement that has been thriving since the start of this decade. While the EP taps into current hip-hop trends, it doesn’t feel like a mere attempt to follow them. Instead, Tageel brings his own character to the sound, with production that complements his execution rather than dictating it.
