Evan Nabavian catches feelings everytime “Umbrella” comes on
It keeps getting harder to put DeJ Loaf in a box. First, she was a 2014 cloud rap upstart from Detroit. She kept a pistol by the Rice Krispies and she gave us a cool way to pronounce “family”. She quickly moved past one hit wonder accusations and became the trendy guest spot, lending Game and Kid Ink talent, vogue, and sex appeal. The “Post To Be” remix is hers and hers alone. Today, you can still put her in those categories, but she has the makings of something bigger.
DeJ’s velvety purr and tiny frame belie the kind of power and confidence her male counterparts try so hard to fake. She raps about sex with a candor that would make Akinyele blush, but with a coolness that eludes the usual rap sex kitten. As such, she holds her own when she duets with personalities as imposing as Future, Kevin Gates, and Young Thug. DeJ spares no graphic detail on “Shawty,” a raunchy duet with Thugger that does for pilates what Tinashe did for groceries. The carnal zen is closer to Leon Haywood than Trina, partially due to the glowing beat (it’s SpaceGhostPurrp’s “Raider Prayer” from 2012 with some added drums). Young Thug is here for it — few others would be able to answer DeJ’s summons without sounding like verbal cardboard — and runs up and down his vocal range. It would seem DeJ has more to say and accomplish since she keeps melting the biggest rappers alive.
