The DNB-infused bop is produced by his frequent collaborator Trizzy
Young Cocoa, a talented Filipino rapper and producer, has released a new single, “J-TOWN (PM),” through the pan-regional label OFFMUTE. This single is a tribute to the city of Jakarta and revisits the artist’s experiences of growing up there.
The song reflects on a pivotal moment in Young Cocoa’s life where he came to appreciate the cultural richness of Jakarta, pursued his aspirations, and encountered people from a wide range of backgrounds. “The song is about how I feel about Jakarta,” says Young Cocoa. “It’s not so much a nostalgic trip as it is an expression of the impact the city has had on me.”
The lyrics of “J-TOWN (PM)” are predominantly in English, with some lines in Bahasa Indonesia. The artist chose to include Bahasa because he felt that it was necessary to communicate his story in the most authentic way possible, a departure from his usual style of music creation. “I was inspired by other Southeast Asian artists who mix English and their native languages into their lyrics,” explains Young Cocoa.
Young Cocoa’s “J-TOWN (PM)” is produced by his frequent collaborator Trizzy, who encouraged the artist to explore new sounds. The song showcases a grittier and more serious side of the artist, blending drum n’ bass elements with UK Garage and lo-fi textures.
“J-TOWN (PM)” will be included on Young Cocoa’s upcoming mixtape, Sari Sari, set to release in the coming months. The mixtape will also feature a collaboration with an Asian artist that the rapper met at a music festival last year, as well as other new tracks.
Young Cocoa considers “J-TOWN” to be a benchmark in his discography and a testament to his evolution as an artist, saying, “I consider it the most different song I’ve ever made, in terms of sound selection, tempo, mood, and overall taste.”
