Tapping into a growing trend, underground hip-hop artists like They Hate Change, Anysia Kym, 454, and HiTech are incorporating influences from higher-bpm genres such as drum & bass, jungle, and footwork into their music. This movement is far from new, however, as drum & bass’ commercial peak in the 1990s spawned cross-genre fusions such as Goldie and KRS-One’s “Digital,” Redman and Roni Size’s “I Got a Seecret”. Even OutKast’s “B.O.B,” which is often cited as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, was directly inspired by drum & bass legends Roni Size and Photek.

The frenetic “On the Run” is the latest fusion of these two unlikely styles—the latest release from Durham, NC-based trans rapper and producer KHX05 (pronounced as “chaos”) on Suzi Analogue’s Never Normal Records serves as the energetic follow-up to their BLXCK KXT EP. “On The Run” is Never Normal’s first release since being announced as a semifinalist for the Black Ambition Prize in the category of Arts & Entertainment, and this track further solidifies the label’s commitment to pushing sounds that are unique and high-quality in equal measure.

The introductory synths that evoke classic drum & bass from artists such as Noisia or Ed Rush & Optical draw you in instantly. “On The Run” is KHX05’s first self-produced song, and their delivery and braggadocious lyrics complement the energy of the production well. On the track, they boast “I’m just trying to bring the industry a little flavor,” and this song possesses that in spades.

“On the Run” is another successful drum & bass/hip hop fusion to add to the pantheon, and a track that shows that KHX05 is a phenomenal multi-faceted talent that should be on everyone’s radar.

Follow KHX05 on Bandcamp.