Highest

We're living in the age of Samara Cyn. Ever since she came on our radar at the end of 2024, I've been utterly obsessed with her music, and watching her well-deserved growth makes me extremely happy.

Today we’re celebrating Detour, the third EP from the Tennessee-born, LA-based artist. A project that effortlessly weaves dark, introspective hip-hop with crisp boom bap rhythms and subtle neo-soul textures, landing as a refreshing shift in today’s landscape.

While the 7-track EP is an absolute no-skips release, I decided to spotlight my favourite joint (so far). "Highest" showcases a somewhat more gentle side of Samara, and while she delivers some solid bars on this one, what I loved the most was the melodic parts that feel very vulnerable.

Across its seven tracks, Cyn leans into the idea of freedom as something deeply human - gently unpacking the need to disconnect from the noise of our digital lives. Mad props to whoever made the trippy psychedelic artwork. Fits perfectly!

A release no one should sleep on.

Samara is also the cover face on our Female hip hop playlist, and was selected as one of the artists we spotlighted on the Women in Music/Hip Hop: 10 Female Rappers You Should Know About in 2025 piece we wrote last year.

If you weren't convinced of her greatness, Detour should do the job.