The modern underground hip-hop scene thrives on individuality and innovation, and che’s debut studio album Sayso Says is a key milestone in redefining what’s possible for an underground artist’s career. This album embraces the creative risks and experimentation that the underground scene is known for, offering a fresh, fearless project that sets it apart from mainstream releases. Che, who first rose to fame with his 2021 hit single “agenda,” which has amassed over 50 million streams on Spotify, is an 18-year-old rising talent from Atlanta, Georgia with a sound that goes well beyond his years. Influenced by the gritty, drill-heavy beats of Chief Keef and the genre-bending work of underground artists like Izaya Tiji, che’s music is deeply rooted in hip-hop tradition while constantly pushing its boundaries.

With Sayso Says, che demonstrates his ability to break free from established molds. The album doesn’t just solidify his position in the underground scene , it marks a shift, blending diverse sounds and unconventional flows to make  a standout project. Compared to other recent releases, Sayso Says is groundbreaking for its boldness, proving that che is more than just a rapper — he’s an artist who is ready to redefine what underground hip-hop can be.

The risks che takes on Sayso Says are primarily tied to its production, where che strays away from his usual hip-hop trap beats. It is safe to say fans did not expect an EDM-inspired album from the Atlanta native, making it a high-risk, high-reward project. In the unforgiving underground hip-hop scene, one poorly received album can make or break a career, thus heightening the stakes for Sayso Says. che leans heavily into EDM influences, pulling inspiration from duos such as Snow Strippers and Crystal Castles. che employs several techniques to achieve this distinct sound, particularly through the structure of each track. Many songs on the album feature dramatic build ups, packed with risers and sound effects that enhance the beat drops, such as on the track “DON’T TELL NO1.” che also incorporates “large” chords, which are chords with more notes than usual, creating a big, impactful sound often found in EDM tracks played in large venues.

While Sayso Says may feel mindless at times, it’s meticulously crafted. The album’s lyrical content is relatively generic and redundant, but the energy driven by the production more than compensates for it. The album thrives on making a manic, futuristic, and surreal experience as opposed to creating lyrical intricacies, making it a project that resonates with listeners based on sound alone. Almost entirely self-produced by che, with some help from producer Natecxo, Sayso Says is an impressive feat. Its stimulating production choices  keep the album consistently engaging, with something new happening on every track. The song “Interlude,” for example, makes a statement by featuring a non-vocal track that highlights che’s production ability, pulling listeners into a dark, intense, atmospheric realm of EDM production. This track showcases that che is not just a one trick pony; he’s a maestro. 

For a long time, underground hip-hop was stagnant, with many artists following similar sonic patterns and themes. Many artists stuck to familiar flows and production styles. However, in the past two years, a wave of innovation has revitalized the genre. Artists like che are pushing the underground scene forward by embracing experimentation and blending genres to challenge the status quo. This shift has allowed the underground scene to evolve into something far more dynamic.

che’s production choices on Sayso Says reveal a key aspect of the underground scene: experimentation is essential to standing out. Blending genres like EDM and hip-hop has become a hallmark of underground artists, allowing them to differentiate themselves from mainstream sounds and create space for innovation. This trend of genre-blending and boundary-pushing is also evident among che’s underground counterparts such as Destroy Lonely, Jaydes, and Yeat. In recent years, underground hip-hop has drawn inspiration from diverse genres like shoegaze, nu-metal, and industrial, with artists fusing heavy, atmospheric, and gritty sounds to create something entirely new. 

Although the album is relatively new, it has great potential to influence effect on hip-hop in the coming years by inspiring a new wave of artists to embrace genre-blending and take bold creative risks, pushing the boundaries of what hip-hop can sound like. The unwavering drive for experimentation remains at the forefront of musical innovation. che’s album not only cements his place in hip-hop but also makes a bold statement: he’s here to push boundaries, break norms, and lead the underground scene into a new era of fearless creativity.