The Philadelphia rapper drops his highly-anticipated debut album, Goyard Ibn Said, and shares his track-by-track thoughts with Wonderland.
Intelligent and idiosyncratic, the artistic world of Ghais Guevera is a sweepingly potent and musically progressive habitat. Two previous acclaimed mixtapes have paved the way for the North Philadelphia-native to share his much anticipated debut album, Goyard Ibn Said, via Fat Possum.
A melting pot of rap styles, off-kilter sampling and Guevera’s vastly unique flow and vocal tone, the album explores piercing ideas that span across society, with some enthralling beat choices and contributions from the likes of DJ Haram and McKinley Dixon.
To celebrate the release, Guevera takes Wonderland through the album, track-by-track…
Listen to the album…
Guevera’s thoughts…
“Introduction to Act 1“
Thanks to FARO, Zen Dash and Luke Dash for offering their vocal talent for this intro. Also, it’s ‘anthological’ not ‘anthropological’, autocorrect got past us lol.
“The Old Guard Is Dead”
Restriction always breeds innovation and this song is an example of that. The lack of sample options at my disposal forced me to work with unfamiliar songs, sounds and flows. The result is me and my navy storming the pier, the citizens look in fear because they know we won’t be leaving.
“Leprosy”
This song was inspired by multiple nights in NYC following shows. The main character moments. The glow in her eyes and the haze in yours. You’re not on speaking terms with any of them now. There’s a lesson in humility somewhere in there if you search for it.
“3400”
For 22 years I never traveled a lot, suddenly I’m pushing 24 and I’ve been around the US and miraculously in the UK. Being away from home is funny because you never know how much of home you’ll be taking with you. Makes you reflect.
“I Gazed Upon the Trap With Ambition”
Probably my favourite song title ever. As you can tell I had a lot of fun recording this one. This is what kid me imagined rapping to be like, a good time, let’s hope it continues to be!
“Monta Ellis”
Big shoutout to Yoko McThuggin from Tew World Order for blessing us. Lillith and Eli snapped, I heard the synth bass and was like “Yeah just loop that and it’s on sight” haha. Sometimes you gotta let folks know to stop playing with ya name.
“Yamean”
FARO was super clutch with that immaculate feature, he rapped like he tryna get signed lol. This was one of the last songs to get finished, it had to replace a track I lost during a malware attack. Aye, things happen for a reason!
“Camera Shy”
I remember the day I figured out the hook for this beat, I told the voice chat “Yo we got one”. It definitely feels like *the* stylistic shift for me. As if I earned enough XP to unlock hitmaker status lol.
“Bystander Effect”
DJ Haram showed me true musicianship with this beat. Built a world where ELUCID and I could really lay out our imagery. Wrote this shit in like two hours, so imagine how good it felt to get the green light from my inspirations!
“4L”
Wrote this after some fun trips I had (lol). Seb on guitar was the cherry on top, the blueful soul of it was exactly what I felt making this. This song really highlights my inability to just make a beat, I get ideas and make journeys outta them.
“The Apple That Scarcely Fell”
Asked McKinley to rap over this basic medieval ass loop I found. He sent me back the verse… no idea how but he decided to make a bridge out of it. So I had to do it some justice. I became a composer that week with the aid of Annie and Des!
“Branded”
I was inspired by my hometown rappers like LilBucks and Quanny. The beats they were rapping on left a lot of space for them to get their raps off. I needed that. The air felt clearer in the studio that night, I felt accepted.
“Critical Acclaim”
Reworked a very old song of mine to fit a newfound perspective on “manhood” and accountability now that we know what our idols are. Probably won’t be doing this one live a lot lol
“Shaitan’s Spiderweb”
Before I was signed I was asked to make a song with no samples to solidify that I could indeed do so. The result was this, now repackaged and contextualised. Shoutout Des for the transcendent sax.
“You Can Skip This Part”
Made this beat while chillin’ in Minnesota with Student 1 and his manager, Alec. Some months later, I just felt the need to vent about some twitter shit. Gen Z things.