Since the rise of Big Moe and Z-Ro, Houston has always valued melody in rap. Kirko Bangz is another rapper from the city who has always used his sweet singing voice to his advantage. On "Movin Slow," Kirko is quintessentially H-town, taking on a syrupy guitar loop and adding his R&B-inflected melodies to the mix. The melody, like the beat, builds and strengthens throughout the track, and by the close it feels like one of his strongest takes on the style. It comes off Kirko's recently-released Progression 17 mixtape -- and don't worry, you didn't miss 12 volumes. In this case, the 17 represents the year. His last installment in the series came all the way back in 2014 with Progression V.
The project follows his two 2016 releases Back Flossin and the Playa Made EP. He's also been known to work with fellow Houston artists, appearing on BeatKing's "Keisha" remix in 2015, as well as appearing on Slim Thug's Welcome 2 Houston project earlier this year. Just last month he appeared on Siya's track "Houston Girls."
You can listen to Kirko's full Progression 17 mixtape, featuring production from The Runners, Trakksounds, and Sound M.O.B., here. The project features no guest appearances, and a variety of both rap and R&B-leaning tracks. One thing that's consistent throughout -- it's al incredibly Houston. That's something Kirko won't be giving up anytime soon.