There’s something magnetic about music that feels lived in—music that doesn’t just sound good but hits you in the soul. With his latest project, Morena, Cleveland-based hip hop artist Alex Forte isn’t just dropping bars—he’s dropping truth, vibes, and a vibrant sense of self-awareness that resonates far beyond the mic.

At first listen, Morena feels like a smooth cruise through warm city nights—rich with jazzy, soulful beats that ooze cool and clarity. But don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you. Forte switches the flow effortlessly between thought-provoking and feel-good.

The title, Morena, is no throwaway. It’s a bold, beautiful nod to Afro-Brazilian identity, inspired by the gritty brilliance of the film City of God. But instead of retelling that story, Forte uses its essence to illuminate his own—drawing stunning parallels between the fight for dignity in the favelas and the complexities of growing up Black in America.

Musically, Forte is painting in widescreen here. Inspired by Brazilian artist Seu Jorge, the beats carry that lush MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) warmth—like samba kissed by boom-bap. It's hip hop meets bossa nova, jazz rap meets the diaspora, and it all works. You can hear echoes of A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders, but with a sun-drenched global twist.

This isn’t the same-old trap template. Forte’s production feels organic, like it breathes with you. Live-sounding drums, dusty samples, tropical textures—this is hip hop for the heart and the head. The vibe is global, but the message is laser-focused: know yourself, love yourself, express yourself.

Forte isn’t just flexing lyrical ability—he’s building bridges between inner growth and outer struggle. He’s rapping about freedom, self-acceptance, love, and black joy, all while threading in bits of social commentary that never feel forced.

Lines drop like affirmations. Like mantras. Like late-night reflections that somehow sound good on repeat.

And he doesn’t just talk about the fight—he radiates resilience. This is the voice of someone who's doing the work, both personally and politically. It’s conscious without being preachy. It’s vulnerable without being soft. It’s dope without trying too hard. In short: it’s real.

It’s that blend—personal meets political, street meets spirit, local meets global. This is what evolution in hip hop sounds like. Forte’s music isn’t boxed in by genre or location. It’s expanding. Reaching. Touching the roots and the future at the same time.

There’s also a humble confidence to this project that’s impossible to fake. Forte isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—he’s just being himself, and in doing so, he’s becoming something greater.

As Forte puts it:

“I would hope people would get a sense of peace and resilience after hearing these songs. Be blown away by amazing production and lyrics and feel excited for what may come in the future.”

Mission accomplished. The tracks hit like healing sessions laced with head-nod beats. They move you. Both physically and emotionally.

Morena is more than just another hip hop EP—it’s a statement piece, a mirror, and a meditation. If you’re a fan of artists like Kendrick Lamar, Common, Noname, or even Anderson .Paak, this one’s for you.

It’s project that speaks to both the struggles and the sweetness of cultural identity. It’s jazzy. It’s thoughtful. And most importantly, it’s real.

“Morena” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to Alex Forte and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Hip-Hop’

“Morena” - Alex Forte

“For The First Time” - Linkwells

“One Way Ticket” - Michael Barrett Dixon