By: Emma Kopelowicz
July 27, 2020

Bay Area-based musicians Monz and Darrell Medellin are shaking up the hip-hop world with their funk-driven, jazzy new collaboration, “They Don’t Know.”

Christian Manzana (professionally known as Monz) is a producer, musician, emcee, and professor of music who has played all around the US and Europe. The multihyphenate musician has shared the stage with industry icons such as Aretha Franklin and Robert Glasper. Up-and-coming rapper, Darrell Medellin was born in Cebu City, Philippines and grew up listening to 50 Cent and Wu-Tang Clan among other hip-hop legends. While these two artists from wildly different musical backgrounds may seem like an unlikely pairing, their work harmoniously flows together on “They Don’t Know.”

Medellin’s melodic flow rides smoothly along the groovy instrumentals and laid-back beats crafted by Monz. Rapping about his upbringing and all the struggles he’s faced as he’s made his way through the ranks of the industry, Medellin’s lyrics reflect his own internal battles and show how far he’s come. “They don’t know that I been grindin’ tryin’ to get my life this way,” Medellin talks about the behind-the-scenes hustle fans haven’t seen in the chorus. 

“They Don’t Know” is an empowering song that emits resilience in every chord. Monz and Medellin are living proof that following your dreams doesn’t come easy but when it finally does, it’s well beyond worth it.

Stream the track below, and be sure to tell us what you think on social media at: @gasmaskmagazine. Feel free to connect with our reviewer on all socials (@emKopel).

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