By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Richmond, the meteoric rise of Nettspend has been one of the most polarizing and fascinating narratives in the modern underground rap circuit. At an age when most teenagers are navigating the mundane complexities of high school, the Virginia-based artist has been busy architecting a sonic brand that sits at the volatile intersection of "jerk" music, cloud rap, and high-octane internet culture. With the release of his highly anticipated new album, Early Life Crisis, Nettspend officially transitions from a viral curiosity into a central figure of the new vanguard. The project serves as a direct follow-up to his previous effort, Bad Ass Fcking Kid*, an album that established his persona as a disruptive, high-energy presence in the digital music landscape.
Early Life Crisis arrives after months of strategic teasing, a period during which Nettspend managed to maintain a level of mystique that is increasingly rare in the era of over-saturation. The album’s title itself is a poignant reflection of the artist’s current reality. It suggests a self-awareness regarding the accelerated nature of his life—a young man experiencing the pressures, successes, and existential questions of a veteran artist before even reaching adulthood. This thematic weight is balanced by a production palette that is both experimental and deeply rooted in the current trends of the underground, characterized by distorted low-ends, ethereal melodies, and a relentless rhythmic drive.
The guest list for Early Life Crisis is a testament to Nettspend’s growing influence and the respect he has garnered from different corners of the hip-hop world. Perhaps the most striking inclusion is the appearance of YoungBoy Never Broke Again on the track “Masked Up.” For an underground artist to secure a feature from YoungBoy—a figure known for his reclusive nature and selective collaborations—is a significant milestone. The track bridges the gap between the raw, street-oriented intensity of Baton Rouge and the glitchy, internet-born aesthetics of the new wave. The chemistry between the two artists highlights a shared sense of rebellion and technical agility, proving that Nettspend’s sound can hold its own alongside established industry heavyweights.
In addition to the high-profile YoungBoy feature, the album includes a collaboration with OsamaSon on the track “Pain Talk.” OsamaSon, a peer within the underground scene who has also seen a rapid ascent, provides a perfect foil to Nettspend’s delivery. Their synergy on “Pain Talk” encapsulates the energy of a generation of rappers who are redefining the boundaries of the genre through collaborative experimentation. The track serves as a microcosm of the current underground ecosystem, where artists frequently cross-pollinate to create sounds that are increasingly difficult to categorize under traditional labels.
Behind the scenes, Early Life Crisis is the result of a concentrated effort involving a specific circle of writers and producers. Nettspend collaborated closely with Keifa Carter and Nathaniel Campos, among others, to craft the lyrical and structural framework of the project. The songwriting reflects a blend of youthful bravado and the aforementioned "early life crisis" introspection, offering a window into the mind of an artist who is growing up in the public eye. The production, handled by a roster that includes CXO and Rok, is a masterclass in modern sound design. These producers have been instrumental in shaping the "scenecore" and "post-rage" sounds that dominate platforms like SoundCloud and TikTok, utilizing unconventional textures to create a backdrop that is as chaotic as it is catchy.
One of the standout moments on the album in terms of creative interpolation is the track “Shades On.” The song features a prominent sample of the 2013 hit “23” by Mike Will Made It, which originally featured Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J. By repurposing a track from the early 2010s—a period that many of Nettspend’s fans view through a lens of childhood nostalgia—the artist successfully bridges two different eras of pop-rap. The sample is flipped in a way that aligns with the modern underground’s penchant for high-energy, distorted reimaginings of mainstream hits, effectively turning a decade-old pop anthem into a fresh, gritty anthem for the current youth culture.
The release of the album is being accompanied by a strategic visual rollout, including a music video for the track “Who TF Is You.” Visuals have always been a crucial component of the Nettspend brand; his aesthetic, often characterized by a lo-fi, DIY sensibility mixed with high-fashion undertones, has helped him cultivate a dedicated following. The video for “Who TF Is You” is expected to further cement this visual identity, providing a cinematic companion to the album’s aggressive and forward-thinking sound. In the digital age, where an artist’s image is often as important as their music, Nettspend has shown a keen understanding of how to use video to enhance the storytelling of his records.
Nettspend’s rise has not gone unnoticed by the critical establishment. His inclusion in various "best of" lists throughout 2024 has signaled a shift in how the industry views the new wave of internet-centric rap. Notably, the track “40,” a collaboration with producer Evilgiane and fellow underground staple Xaviersobased, was ranked at number 72 on Pitchfork’s rundown of the 100 Best Songs of 2024. This recognition is significant, as it places Nettspend in the company of both mainstream stars and critically acclaimed indie darlings. It suggests that while his music may have started in niche internet corners, its impact is being felt across the broader cultural spectrum. The track “40” served as a precursor to the sounds explored on Early Life Crisis, showcasing a willingness to experiment with the “jerk” rhythm—a style defined by its unique percussion patterns and infectious energy.
As Early Life Crisis begins to circulate through the streaming ecosystem, it is clear that Nettspend is attempting to do more than just release a collection of songs. He is attempting to document a specific moment in time—both for himself and for the subculture he represents. The album deals with the duality of his existence: the thrill of sudden wealth and fame versus the disorientation of losing a "normal" teenage life. This tension is what gives the project its emotional core, preventing it from being merely a collection of high-energy club tracks.
The technical execution of the album also warrants attention. The mixing and mastering lean into the "loudness war" aesthetics of the SoundCloud era but with a professional sheen that ensures the tracks are viable for festival stages and club environments. The vocal processing on the album is particularly noteworthy, utilizing layers of effects to create a sound that feels both human and synthetic. This stylistic choice reflects the "always online" nature of Nettspend’s generation, where the line between the digital and the physical is constantly blurred.
Looking forward, the success of Early Life Crisis will likely dictate the trajectory of Nettspend’s career as he moves into 2025. He has already proven that he can capture the attention of the youth, but this album suggests he is looking for longevity. By collaborating with established icons like YoungBoy Never Broke Again and receiving nods from major critical outlets, he is positioning himself as an artist who can bridge the gap between the underground and the mainstream without losing the edge that made him popular in the first place.
Ultimately, Early Life Crisis is a bold statement from an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed. It is an album that embraces the chaos of the modern world, turning the anxieties of youth into a high-decibel celebration of creative freedom. Whether he is sampling decade-old pop hits or trading verses with industry titans, Nettspend remains the focal point of the narrative—a "bad ass kid" who has grown up much faster than anyone expected, and who is now leading the charge into the next era of rap music. As fans dive into the full project, the conversation surrounding Nettspend is no longer about whether he is a flash in the pan, but rather how far he can push the boundaries of his sound.