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Released in 2021, “October” is both a modest effort from Proctorville, Ohio rapper Wavy Splash, and an essay in braggadocio over modern, booming beats. In this raw and unhinged project, Wavy Splash, formerly known as Sky-B, cements himself as the best rapper in the small town of Proctorville, and makes his case for the throne of the greater region that he calls home.
Opening with an eerie arrangement of strings and distorted vocals, Wavy Splash comes in with the boldest claim: “We Run It.” We can hear Wavy Splash rapping over a hyper-hard drill beat, and his infectious energy shines through immediately. “I’m flashy and you boring” he yells, showing his confidence in himself and his possessions. A perfect opener, Wavy Splash puts it all on the line for this first track and shows us a glimpse of what he’s cooking.
“392” comes in with a gloomy piano beat, which drops as Wavy Splash reminds us that he’s still the same ol’ G with bars about his girlfriend smoking reefer and making euphemisms to complete his rhymes. He claims that he is headed to the top, and asks the question: Why y’all hating on me?”
“Greedy” strikes swiftly with a brighter piano beat and a faster pace. “I’m gettin money plenty, I”m making stacks like Wendy’s” is one of the most absurdly amazing lines I’ve heard in such a long time. If there’s one thing we can rely on, it’s Wavy Splash being an absolutely unhinged motherfucker in the best possible way. “I’ve been rapping since Hank Hill” he raps, reminding us that he’s been doing this for his entire life and has dedicated decades to the skillset that he puts on display here. Wavy Splash reflects on how he’s becoming a monster with rap music, citing his ability to murder any beat that is put in front of him. “I’m not talkin’ shit I”m just talkin’ bout digits.”
Another booming 808 beat blares in my headphones in the form of the song ‘4Teen,” and I’m realizing that this is an incredibly cohesive project so far. Each beat sounds similar, while also banging in a different way than each one before it. Wavy Splash is flowing effortlessly over these beats, and he’s switching up his flows on a regular basis. “160 on the dashboard, one foot on the gas boy” showcases Wavy Splash’s love for driving fast and living large.
“Live Life” is the first beat that sounds a little bit unusual for this album, but it still fits within the parameters. Again, Wavy Splash raps about how he’s getting money and reflects on his need to hire a team of people to manage his riches. “Pass a joint like COVID disease” croons Wavy Splash, making a reference to the unforgettable pandemic that was raging like a wildfire during this album’s release in 2021.
In “SUPERSTAR,” dark pianos ring through with another 808-heavy beat. With hedonistic lyrics about sex, this song is a certified bop based on the beat alone, but Wavy Splash’s flows take it to another level. “Pullin strings like I play the harp” is a hell of a line that I’ll remember for a while.
On 308 Splash we get a spacey trap beat and heavily reverbed vocals from Wavy Splash, along with a feature from Ironton rapper 308KID. Lyrics about partying and smoking weed shine through on this psychedelic beat, before possibly my favorite line on the album: “Y’all connections weak like the Wi-Fi.” 308KID’s absurd ad libs fit perfectly on this wild track.
“FREESYTLE” pops off with an unusual jazzy beat, and Wavy Splash switches up his flows once again, making references to changing his name from Sky-B to Wavy Splash. Another feature from Don Drake, a virtually unheard of rapper, impressed me on this track. Both artists make references to their insanity, claiming that they should be in a room that’s padded, which may or may not be true depending on what kind of raw energy you prefer in your local rap music.
Another sexually-charged song is “Grab Ya Ankles”, and Wavy Splash makes references to a woman “taking knees like Colin Kaepernick,” another time capsule of a line. A creaking bed sound completes this beat as Wavy Splash raps about how he’ll “pop it like a pistol.” The song ends quite abruptly in the middle of a bar, which may have been a mistake on the part of the artist. I’m not sure, but it was a little bit off-putting.
“FlOWers” starts with a phone recording of a woman talking seductively to Wavy Splash, and it’s clear from the start that this song is dedicated to his woman with its heartfelt beat and sung lyrics. Acoustic guitars ring through in the mix, giving 90s r&b. It’s a little bit hard to understand what he’s saying because of his flow, but melodically it sounds great. The album ends on a somber note, with Wavy Splash asking questions like “Have you ever felt hopeless, have you ever felt alone?” and referring to himself as “an engine breaking down.”
The album “October” is a testament to Wavy Splash’s raw talent and unyielding ambition. Though rough around the edges, it’s a project that showcases his potential, leaving listeners eager to hear what he’ll conquer next. As Wavy Splash navigates the complexities of his perceived fame and fortune, his music will undoubtedly evolve, reflecting the highs and lows of his journey. Whether he achieves mainstream recognition or remains a local legend, “October” will forever stand as a snapshot of a young artist hungry to make his mark on the world.