Art, Beats, and Heavy Bass: Awkward DreadHead’s New Album Can’t Be Boxed In

In 2025’s crowded field of new music, independent artists are carving out their own lanes, and Awkward DreadHead cre8tive/producer from Columbus, Ohio is a prime example. His latest project Inks, Bass & 808s is a creative universe of sound from old records and trap drumbeats. This unconventional concept album was born from a simple truth in the artist’s life: whenever Awkward DreadHead sat down to draw or dream up comic storylines, he had music bumping in the background for inspiration. “I would play music whenever I drew comic books or tried to come up with ideas for storylines. I thought it would be a good idea to come out with a soundtrack.” With its unique concept and genre-blending execution, Inks, Bass & 808s isn’t just another of the latest music drops – it’s music you need to hear if you crave something different and authentic.

Awkward DreadHead isn’t aiming for the mainstream middle, he’s talking directly to a certain tribe. “This music is for the people who get lost in the melody, the people who use music to create art, the outsiders, the people who take doing them to a whole new level. Translation? Express Your Individuality. Forget what the crowd thinks. Ignore the critics, even the ones sitting right next to you. This is music for people who follow their own path, no GPS, no permission slip. It’s for the sketchbook dreamers, the night-drive philosophers, the creators who turn a bassline into a whole vision. Hard to box in? Definitely. Maybe call it lo-fi chill rap with trap 808 beats, or soundtrack-worthy vibes for a driving at night playlist. Whatever the label, it’s music built to live in your head and set the mood for your next big idea.

Cover artwork for “Inks, Bass & 808s” – a bass-heavy rap album by independent Columbus, Ohio artist Awkward DreadHead.

For Awkward DreadHead, visuals and sound go hand in hand. The album cover has his upfront characters Ganja Girl, Black Indigo, Ally Winters and Malcolm Walker displaying his dual identity as a producer and comic creator. Every track on Inks, Bass & 808s is meant to score a scene from an unwritten graphic novel, blending bass heavy rap energy with storytelling flair. The result is a true multi-media experience: a curated playlist of songs that mirrors the mood and pace of the comic books he writes.

Trap 808s and Melodic Keys: Genre-Defying Production

“The genre of music? Your guess is as good as mine,” Awkward DreadHead jokes about his style. On Inks, Bass & 808s, he fuses trap beats with lush melodic keys and what he calls “heavy, colorful bass.” The production brings an alternative hip hop flair that’s hard to pigeonhole – at times it’s bass-heavy with an atmospheric groove, other times it gives off this 90s styled melody and songwriting. He’s breaking the usual genre boundaries, meaning Inks, Bass & 808s is intriguing because it has several hip hop elements but then adds afropop and r&b but anyone scouting for new R&B releases has to give this album a listen. In today’s era, hip-hop’s borders with R&B and electronica are blurrier than ever, and Awkward DreadHead fully embraces this fluidity. His songs often live in that liminal space where trap, soul, and R&B merge a zone that appeals to fans of melodic rap songs as much as to traditional rap aficionados. Critics have drawn comparisons to the emotionally rich, genre-blending work of artists like Bryson Tiller, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and early The Weeknd, which means listeners who vibe with emotional R&B tracks or experimental hip hop will feel right at home here.

Awkward DreadHead co-wrote and produced every track, crafting each rumbling bassline, layering every melody, and making sure the sound never strayed from his vision. But he didn’t ride solo. He tapped a squad of collaborators — N’shai Iman, HolyHart, Oleskii, and Vici.Pr to push the vibes even further. They lace the project with edgy hooks, melodic rap and a new sound of R&B that gives the album range without losing its soul. That’s the key: variety without chaos. One track leans toward emotional R&B, another into bass heavy, but it all feels glued together because of DreadHead’s ear. The production stays laser-focused on melody, mood, and craftsmanship. Or as he puts it himself: “I’m all about finding the melody in a song and having it sonically mix together.” That ethos is the thread pulling this whole genre-blurring journey tight.

Track Highlights: Late-Night Anthems & Purple Sip Vibes

Inks, Bass & 808s plays like a collection of vibe-rich moments. Here are a few standout tracks that showcase the album’s range:

“Who We Are” – Bass Heavy & Slow-Burn

The album’s third track, “Who We Are,” is a syrupy slow-burn built on Houston’s chopped-and-screwed DNA, but with a modern twist of cloud rap. The bass runs deep, the tempo drags just enough to bend time, and the whole track feels woozy and hypnotic. It’s the kind of joint that locks you into a zone the second it hits. One of the standout lines “I smoke exotics with Ozzy’s that’s standing up right” had me singing it the whole way home. That’s the beauty of Awkward DreadHead’s pen: he drops lines that stick in your head without forcing it. Production-wise, he doesn’t clutter the track with unnecessary layers. Instead, he balances minimal melodic tones with heavy drums, letting the bass-heavy groove do all the heavy lifting. The result is hypnotic but clean, a sound that feels like a sonic haze you can float inside. And while the track feels futuristic, it also taps into that early 2000s Atlanta energy — the type of vibe that makes you want to sip something slow and let the low-end rumble through your chest while you’re skating at Golden Glide. It’s nostalgia wrapped in a new frequency, and it makes “Who We Are” one of the album’s purest vibe-driven moments.

“The Life” – Melodic Trap with Pop Appeal

Awkward DreadHead himself calls “The Life” “probably my favorite song” on the album, and it’s easy to understand why. This track is pure feel-good energy — a hook-heavy, danceable cut layered with Atlanta hip hop tones and a nostalgic 90’s twist. It blends pop, dance, funk, and hip hop into one seamless groove. The funky bassline pulls you onto the floor, the upbeat lyrical cadence keeps the momentum high, and the melodic groove glues it all together. The chorus is sticky in the best way that plays once and lingers in your head for days.

“The Life” is pure summer vibe music: bright, bouncy, and effortlessly fun. It’s the album’s most radio-ready track, a song that makes you want to move while still carrying the melodic, colorful production that defines Inks, Bass & 808s.

“Solo (Remix)” – A Cross-Continental Collaboration

Originally released by R&B vocalist N’shai Iman, Afropop artist HolyHart joins her on the remix. “Solo” slides into a lane that’s equal parts R&B, urban pop, and cloud rap. It’s an R&B cut straight from the 90’s where the vocals take center stage smooth, melodic, and head nodding. The chemistry is undeniable: her velvet tone wraps perfectly around HolyHart’s laid-back flow, blending melodic rap with R&B finesse. It’s the kind of track that sneaks up on you, catchy without trying too hard — a hidden gem that rewards repeat listens. And while it feels intimate, it’s already proving its global reach. “Solo” has been spinning heavy in clubs across Germany and Japan, a sign that Awkward DreadHead’s sound isn’t just local — it’s worldwide.

“Late Nights” – Moody Trap-Soul Anthem

If there’s one track that captures the core of Inks, Bass & 808s, it’s “Late Nights.” This song is the bass heavy anthem the album hinges on moody, melodic, and magnetic. It slides in smooth and low-slung on an atmospheric beat built from crisp trap percussion and airy synth pads. Over this backdrop, featuring Afropop artist HolyHart he delivers vocals that blur the line between rapping and singing, pouring out confessional lyrics in a melodic cadence.“Late Nights” lives in the grey area between genres, and that’s exactly the point. By blending a reflective R&B mood with a trap 808 backbone, the song embodies the album’s mission of genreless, vibe-first music.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next

As the final notes fade out, one thing is clear: this album might be the end of one story arc, but for Awkward DreadHead it’s just the beginning. Inks, Bass & 808s is just the first installment of what looks to be a much larger musical saga. The producer has plenty more in the chamber in fact, he’s already gearing up for the next chapter. A new single titled “Sweet Love” featuring HolyHart and Ruzty Rad is slated to drop on September 21, 2025 and he’s hinted that a whole new album will follow towards next summer. It’s all part of his larger vision to keep merging mediums and pushing creative boundaries.

For just a regular guy from Columbus, Ohio, the response to Inks, Bass & 808s so far has been encouraging. Early listeners have been sharing their favorite tracks on social media, tagging posts with #newmusic and #awkwardreadhead to spread the word. It’s a grassroots buzz built on genuine connection exactly what you’d expect from an artist who values authenticity and creativity over commercial formulas. Awkward DreadHead set out to make music that inspires art, and the growing fan engagement (even across continents) shows that he’s tapping into something special.

In the end, Awkward DreadHead’s debut soundtrack feels less like a one-off experiment and more like the origin issue of a comic – introducing a world and leaving us eager for the next volume. He’s bridging the gap between panels and playlists, between 808s and illustrator inks, and inviting us along for the ride. The only question left is: are you ready to tune in and turn the page?