Coming up from Estonia’s buzzing underground, No1r floors it with “21 CARS,” a ballsy, tongue-in-cheek rendition of the heist-themed hip-hop anthem. Melding meme culture with raw street wit, the track is a headlong rush of lightning-quick verses and tongue-in-cheek storytelling that transforms chaos into creativity. It’s a brash introduction from an artist who is not afraid to toe the line between art and mischief.
“21 CARS” races through, unapologetically energetic and cinematic in equal measure. No1r’s production is gritty and spontaneous, a backdrop for verses from friends St Murphy, Chris Angel, LKAZE, and Sandwich, all of them pals from Tallinn’s MUBA Music High School. Together, they build a sonic world that feels spontaneous yet unified, corralling the feeling of cruising through rhythm and rhyme on a late-night joyride.
“21 CARS,” recorded at 3 a.m. and with vocals tracked in a bedroom closet, thrives on its D.I.Y. vibe. No1r oversaw every detail, from producing and mixing to shooting and editing the video, demonstrating their skill set extends well beyond the mic. Each mix version was polished until it struck that proper balance of intensity and humour, a testimony to his obsessive commitment to sound and vision.
“21 CARS” marks No1r’s first major release and places him among the artists in his home country to keep an eye on as Estonia’s music scene continues its ascent. The single is more than a debut; it’s a statement, with its sly lyricism, self-aware charm and rebellious edge. And with an EP and a full-length album in the works, No1r isn’t about to slow down.