Few would contest that hip-hop’s epicenter is the hustle and ambition of The Bronx, New York. Teeming with creative energy and lyrical savvy is Bronx native and rising artist Fredrick Jenkins, better known by his stage name, Wise Guy. Blending catchy choruses and lyric-driven storytelling, Wise Guy leaves his signature footprint in the ever-evolving scene of Hip-hop and rap. The artist’s vibrant universe, and consistently growing catalog, draws early parallels with heavyweights like Nas, Kanye West, Kyle, Mase, and Drake.
Wise Guy’s charted victories include tracks such as ‘Brooklyn Mirages’, ‘Happy Hour’, ‘Reason to Love’, and ‘Pay Day’, which resonated across diverse listeners. Yet, Wise Guy’s ambitions are not confined to becoming one of the greats alone. His aim lies loftier. He longs to be revered for mastering the musician’s craft, to create a unique sound that enchants, inspires, and emotionally invests his audience.
Wise Guy’s journey began at the early age of 13, dabbling initial verses and refining his craft to churn out quality music by the time he was 16. His music isn’t just about creating an appealing melody; it’s about making unconcealed connections with the audience via candid lyrics that resonate with everyday emotions and experiences.
Beyond being solely a rapper, Wise Guy expands his creative horizon as part-owner of the podcast “Peepthiswom Podcast“. Joined by three other men – Maciah, Dajante, and Efficient – the quartet dives into a diverse range of subjects spanning relationships, race, current events and even delving into the unique challenges modern black men face.
While his newly released tracks and upcoming spring releases remain the focus, Wise Guy is also revisiting a past composition, the 2018 EP, ‘Cuffing Season’. For its fifth anniversary, the rapper is remastering and reshaping tracks using his refined skills. Expect newer additions to the song list, promising an anniversary edition that offers listeners a novel experience.
Wise Guy’s catalog is as varied as the emotions it encapsulates. A first listen to one of his earlier projects, ‘I Hate My Job,’ taps into the chronological (and very relatable) frustrations of monotonous work. One of his latest, his tale of ‘Brooklyn Mirages,’ presents an autobiographical account of a hallucinatory experience—narrated simultaneously from a first- and third-person perspective. The result is a musical experience that draws in the listener, allowing them to visualize every nuanced emotion, making it relatable on multiple levels.
Wise Guy, an avid Utada Hikaru fan, dreams of collaborating with the Japanese-American pop star, a prospect that excites Kingdom Hearts fans aware of Hikaru’s iconic contributions to the game’s soundtrack. This potential collaboration highlights Wise Guy’s ambition to blend diverse musical landscapes, offering his audience a mix of deep, layered storytelling and moments of light-heartedness. He values the balance between exploring complex emotions and providing easygoing tunes, envisioning collaborations like the one with Hikaru as a bridge between different artistic expressions, enriching his musical narrative with varied influences.
Head over to his Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music for your ‘Wise Guy Starter Pack’ — His songs ‘Brooklyn Mirages’, ‘Happy Hour’, ‘Reason To Love’, and ‘Pay Day’ await your company.
Ultimately, Wise Guy isn’t just another name in the rap game. He stands out as a blend of infectious hooks and deeply emotional stories that awaken the senses. His music signals a move away from conventional rap to a deeper, more personal connection with his audience, offering experiences that hit close to home. It’s his knack for crafting tunes that strike a chord across a broad emotional spectrum that sets Wise Guy apart as an artist you’ll want to keep an eye on.
