Kwam.E - UpNorth Tape vol.2

"UpNorth Tape vol.2" is a carefully crafted collection of tracks orchestrated by Kwam.E on the Nur! Musik label, a project where the artist pushes the boundaries of density without sacrificing lyrical ambition. Released on April 10, 2025, this album immediately stands out for its deliberately concise structure: just ten tracks with a total duration of 29 minutes and 37 seconds. This brevity forces the listener to engage with each track individually, transforming every contribution into a strategic element within a discography that ranges from Original Rudeboy, Vol. 1 (2019) to CONCRETE COWBOYS 2 (2022), including UpNorth Tape vol.1 (2024). Kwam.E creates a precise trajectory between solo work and major collaborations, without attempting to imitate the format of previous albums, but rather building upon a well-established body of work.

Kassenklingeln creates tension between isolation and openness.

The album opens with Kassenklingeln, a track that immediately establishes the principle of tension between isolation and strategic openness.

"Zu bequem" features OVE and Makko to diversify the approaches.

At the heart of the collaborative strategy, the track Zu bequem serves as a crucial intersection where two artists with different styles come together to expand the sonic landscape of the project. On this track, featuring makko and OVE, Kwam.E orchestrates a diversity of approaches that rejects the uniformity of the flow. The simultaneous presence of these two guests allows for a diversification of vocal styles without weighing down the structure, proving that collaboration can be a tool for enrichment rather than simply filling time. This alliance perfectly illustrates how the artist uses collaborations to contrast with their own style, creating a mosaic of styles that energizes the entire album without sacrificing overall coherence.

6 Shots fuels the duo's dynamic energy with Lamadi.

The offensive power is fully realized on 6 Shots, where Kwam.E brings in Lamadi to inject a distinct and aggressive energy into the track. This collaboration is significant: it introduces a voice that deliberately contrasts with the main artist, creating a dynamic duel that pushes the production to new heights of intensity. Lamadi's presence transforms this track into a clear departure from the more introspective pieces, demonstrating that Kwam.E can seamlessly switch between solitude and vocal confrontation. Here, the mixing seems to highlight the collaborations, allowing each artist to shine while maintaining a constant tension that challenges passive listening.

Grinch energetically features NANA LE VRAI to enhance the atmosphere.

The energy of the project reaches a new level with Grinch, a track where NANA LE VRAI integrates their artistic presence to complement the overall atmosphere of the song. This is not simply a layering of voices, but a genuine integration that enriches the sonic texture of the track. The dynamic created by this contribution demonstrates how an artist can transform a personal project into a platform for exchange and mutual reinforcement with their most influential peers.

Uuuhhhh feat. Trettmann completes the collaborative loop of the project.

The album concludes with Uuuhhhh, a track that solidifies the project's trajectory, transforming what began as a mixtape into a major collaborative effort with Trettmann. Trettmann's presence not only serves as a formal closing point but also validates the initial ambition of the album: to become a space for interaction between different generations and styles. By ending on this track with a prominent artist, Kwam.E manages to give the project a resonance that goes beyond the sum of its parts, transforming UpNorth Tape vol.2 into a true collaborative manifesto.

This album clearly falls within the artist's post-2024 period, paving the way for the next installment, Der Echte Norden (2026). Kwam.E completes this project in 2025, offering a narrative density and coherence that fully justify its place between UpNorth Tape vol.1 (2024) and his upcoming album. Some critical sources occasionally point out a disconnect between the strong beats and the artist's vocals on certain tracks, such as Aspirin or Storyteller, but this does not undermine the overall strength of the execution. The concise duration of 29 minutes and 37 seconds for ten tracks demonstrates a mastery of the format that avoids the excesses of overproduction while maintaining a constant tension.

Technical Details

- Release Date: April 10, 2025 - Label: Nur! Musik - Tracks: 10 (29 minutes 37 seconds) - Opening/Closing Tracks: Kassenklingeln / Uuuhhhh - Featured Artists: Lamadi, makko, OVE, NANA LE VRAI, Trettmann - Previous Album: UpNorth Tape vol.1 (2024)