Following a record-breaking year during which he accumulated over 60 million streams and established himself as a staple in the UK rap scene, Birmingham’s freshest sensation, Marnz Malone, arrives with “I Hate January,” a gut-punch of a single. With the raw lyricism of KayMuni, it’s a statement.
Set against moody, contemplative production, “I Hate January” challenges the harsh realities of depression, especially as it relates to custody settings, an issue that gets far too little attention. Marnz lays out his verses with a searing vulnerability, the breakdown of personal demons in the face of loss, incarceration, and the burden of poverty. His voice is resting, encouraging listeners to sit with the discomfort and truth of his words.
Where Marnz’s songwriting offers emotional depth, KayMuni’s gripping storytelling also fits like a glove in the haunting atmosphere of the track. However, the interplay between the two artists means that every line has weight, every pause is meaningful, and every moment has a purpose.
Marnz explained that January is genuinely the most depressing month of the year. He wrote the verse talking about things that made him depressed, doing time, losing his bredrin, and growing up in poverty. He thought it was only appropriate for the video to be about depression in custody and how it ends up with people in a hopeless place, ending their lives there.
As he prepares for the release of his much-awaited mixtape, “Sabr,” “I Hate January” serves as a chilling but necessary reminder of the struggles that numerous people face behind bars. This is a movement, and the movement’s vanguard is Marnz Malone.
Connect with Marnz Malone on Instagram – @marnzmalone
Connect with KayMuni on Instagram – @kaymuni_cg
