Curly J

Emerging in 2019 with the frenetic “Bag Different,” New York rapper Curly J has built an underground following through the early 2020s with a melody-heavy style of trap. Growing up in Hempstead, New York, Curly J (born Joshua Cinquez Loftin) marked his early years listening to the works of Drake and Speaker Knockerz, giving the young musician a strong appreciation for rap’s melodic side. His own musical career began with a late-2019 string of singles: the tumbling “Bag Different,” bright “Kappa,” rags-to-riches “King,” and swinging “Take Off.” Embodying the popular melodic trap sounds of the early 2020s, Curly J used his vocal talents to deliver many of the genre’s staple narratives: relationships, wealth, street life, and personal growth. The following year, the rapper found big success with the Lil Uzi Vert-esque “Keep It 100” and Lil Baby-esque “Big Dawgs,” as well as two sequels to “Bag Different.” In March 2021, he released his debut EP, Kingdom, combining fan favorites “Big Dawgs” and “No Hoodie with four new tracks. ~ David Crone