What makes “Closer to God” special is its refusal to separate the act of creating from the act of healing. Over DJ Alkemy’s boom bap canvas—drums cracking like old vinyl, bass warm and deliberate—Empuls and Shark step into a space that feels sacred. They rap about the grind, about expression as necessity, about how staying true in the booth can be the difference between spiraling inward and finding light. And when Greg Blackman arrives on the hook, his voice doesn’t just sing; it soars, offering listeners that reminder that joy, even fleeting joy, is a form of resistance.
This track lands in an era where mental health conversations in artistic communities are finally becoming less taboo, but stigma still lingers like an uninvited guest in the room. Too often, creatives are celebrated for their “tortured genius” while suffering is romanticized. “Closer to God” rejects that frame. Instead, it insists that there’s nothing more radical than feeling good, nothing more defiant than taking delight in your own craft. It’s a message not just for emcees but for anyone who’s been told their struggle should stay silent.
As part of our editorial picks, we’re highlighting this release to give fans a closer look at the work and artistry behind it. Whether you’re discovering DJ Alkemy,Empuls,Shark for the first time or following their journey, this track is worth your attention.
