“Violence” [ft. Masego]

Back in October, Boogie, one of the West Coast’s most promising young rappers, signed with Eminem’s Shady Records. “Violence,” one of Boogie’s two debut Shady singles (the other being “Came Up,” a bombastic rags-to-riches story), suggests that his eager but contemplative sound will, for now, remain consistent.

“Violence,” which features Masego, a Virginia-based electro-soul singer, is a straightforward musing on love gone wrong. Boogie’s always been more of a storyteller than a punchline rapper, and “Violence” swings between disarmingly vulnerable highs (“Steady attacking, I live to be your casualty/Some kind of strategy, you sleeping with your back to me”) and cringe-worthy lows (“Make me choo choo/Lose my train of thought like, ‘Who you?’”) Still, Boogie’s charisma is his biggest gift, and his nimble, vivid reflections balance nicely with the beat’s solemn piano and Masego’s hymnal hook. “Violence” bears resemblance to “Won’t Be the Same,” from last year’s excellent Thirst 48 Part II, though it lacks the appeal of Boogie’s raw, out-of-breath delivery. Ultimately, if “Violence” is the start of his push toward the mainstream, it accomplishes enough to be a win.