New York-based rapper Blaq Kush is part of the URBVN ARCHITECTS crew, a trio consisting of himself, Josh Alias, and Yung K. They make low-key jazz rap that focuses on the fundamentals: elegant production and tight rhymes. But they aren’t just throwing it back—their concerns are here and now. That’s clear on “Summer Vibes,” a standout from Blaq Kush’s album No Dental Insurance. Over a twinkling jazz piano beat, Kush expresses discontent with the climate crisis (“In an era full of errors/Where the weather was warm”) and police brutality (“Cavity search/Police doing prostate exams”), while throwing out thoughtful asides about the effects of romanticized crime narratives (“Only through self-destruction will the culture ever stop”). Wisdom like this doesn’t have an expiration date.

With artists releasing songs at a fast and furious pace, it’s difficult for the average hip-hop head to keep track of it all—no matter how tapped in they are. That’s why we created The Ones, a daily post to highlight the song you need to hear.

Check out previous Ones, and listen to new rap from Blaq Kush and more on our Spotify playlist.