Album Review: Tenoo - HOP IN

Tenoo’s debut mixtape HOP IN marks a significant entry into the UK rap scene.  

The Preston based artist has gained a substantial audience across social media platforms, generating nearly thirty thousand followers on TikTok from snippets and freestyles with authentic lyricism and professional visuals.  

Since his first release in 2022 he has continuously displayed a unique sound and proved himself as an overall versatile musician who has unsurprisingly captured attention from the likes of Mhuncho.  

The project features just one prior release Better Alone, a hard-hitting track with smooth vocals that has set the bar high for future releases and has gained significant traction since its release hitting over sixty thousand views on YouTube and over five hundred thousand streams on Spotify. 

The 7 track mixtape features highlights Tenoo’s versatility with a wide range of vocals and instrumentals. The rapper combines hard-hitting lyricism with laid-back instrumentals, which has been prevalent in the “chill UK rap” scene in recent years.

Tracks such as Me V Me display his confidence and strong cadence on more melodic beats despite music only being a relatively recent endeavour of his, meanwhile tracks such as Running Laps, Intro and Outro showcase his ability to seamlessly transition from vocals to impressive rhyme schemes with substance, detailing the young musicians ambitions and current circumstances.  

Hop In is not just a mixtape, it is a manifesto. While Tenoo does not stray too far from UK rap conventions, it excels in authenticity, vocal presence, and honest street-rooted lyricism. For a first project, Tenoo has shown the world that he has a seriously high ceiling and something to prove to the rap/wave scene. He has already proven his professionalism when it comes to promoting his music through social media through means of a strong production team, paired with his natural talent on the mic he is clearly one to watch.  

Written By: Jerry Boyd.