Another week, another exciting Root 73 release. Hot on the heels of Louis the Hippie’s Hen House, we have Enny’s debut single; a rumination on Air Max, imaginary roses and unrequited love.

Cutting her teeth on guest radio and the odd powerful Youtube freestyle, Enny was recently advocated by Ty, performing alongside the UK hip-hop stalwart that sadly passed away last week. To be championed by Ty is a strong seal of approval, and certainly raised the buzz ahead of her opening offering, ‘He’s Not Into You’. Not to be confused with its 2009 rom-com doppelgänger, this feels a lot realer and less sanitized than what Hollywood has to offer. 

The track’s theme resonates easily, as many of us have at some point been victims of romantic disinterest. It’s a painful scenario, but in this case the video is infused with a comic tone that makes the topic feel light-hearted; like that hysterical stage when it finally dawns on you how desperately you’ve been behaving. 

This is established from the video’s opening shot, as the camera zooms in on an outstretched hand clasping a fistful of roses. The breezy tone is cemented by the instrumental, which is light, jazzy and optimistic. Loyle Carner springs to mind.

Enny’s flow feels somewhat effortless. She raps gently, which could be confused with nerves but actually transmits as something different. If anything, it urges you to shut up and pay attention. This understated approach applies to her wordplay too, with phrases gently burrowing their way into your vernacular, ‘You can lie, but the proof is in the porridge’.

Her lyrics are informed by the rampant chauvinism of 00s hip hop, with Enny deftly transforming it into an analysis of her promiscuous tormentor. ‘Now you heard in his area code he’s got hoes….and still has some time to buy another girl a rose’. This kind of meta lyricism (borrowing from Ludacris in what now feels like a totally different age) presents interesting questions about the development of female rappers raised on such demeaning messaging.

The contrasting visual palate owes a debt of gratitude to the Colors shows, the gargantuan global platform that has helped launch the likes of Mahalia and Little Simz. There’s a little way to go yet, but it seems a reasonable ambition for Enny to strive for. It would suit her style; at once relaxed, soulful, and adept.