Hadeed Yaqeen - Glorified
Rap, Hip Hop
London, U.K.
Overall Impression: "Glorified" by Hadeed Yaqeen lands like a stream-of-consciousness manifesto, equal parts diary entry and war cry, rolled in the textured fabric of UK conscious hip-hop. It’s a track that breathes the humid air of ambition and from the moment the track opens, Hadeed's presence feels more meditative than explosive—a measured, contemplative voice cutting through a dense sonic backdrop. There’s a rawness here, not in the sense of being unpolished, but in its sincerity—his voice, understated and steady, acts almost like a narrator walking us through a grayscale dreamscape. And it’s in this restraint that Hadeed finds contrast with the production. The instrumental backbone is rich: gritty bass hooks grind against a groove-heavy beat, while various synth elements swirl underneath. The sonic terrain is layered but never overcrowded, giving Hadeed room to both spit and reflect.
Strongest Point(s): Lyrically, "Glorified" reads like a coded journal entry—dense, referential, and deeply personal. There’s an impressive conceptual fluidity, where metaphors bend around moments of vulnerability: “Reality’s a full stop away / Bus stop” becomes a portal to a world where transit and transition are synonymous. He throws nods to musical heritage (“Odd future flow”) and undercuts it with self-starting energy (“Or could it be, I’ll start my own record company”), playing with legacy and individualism in the same breath. The wordplay stretches from the classroom (“Probably cause’ I took that music GCSE”) to the corporate boardroom (“Why I’m quitting Google”), linking societal structures to artistic liberation. The central refrain—“I’m glorified”—feels earned, not boastful. It’s a declaration not of superiority but survival, of becoming. A true hip hop artist is only as good as their lyrics and Hadeed displays a clear understanding of the genre and how to craft relatable, grounded lyrics.
Target Audience Appeal: If I was to place "Glorified" into any one particular genre it would be UK Conscious Hip-Hop. I believe the track most closely aligns with this particular genre.
Artist target suggestions: Aitch, Drake, Devlin, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Pozer, Kanye West, Tion Wayne, Clavish, Stormzy, Skepta, Kendrick Lamar, Kano, Krept & Konan
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About the Reviewer:
Andre is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.