Fang Over Fist is an independent collective hip hop label based in Flagstaff, Arizona, founded about six years ago by An Illustrated Mess. Since that time, they’ve introduced us to a world of Native American talent making hip hop in Arizona and beyond with a unique style and point of view. Most recently, they introduced us to Jae Krxnalege, who dropped 2022 Tape in January. Now, they are right back with another producer who needs some shine, Bigby, who gives us Negative Self Talk EP.

Bigby is from the Gila River Reservation, outside of Phoenix, and he’s been a regular at the Sunday School Beat Challenges by DJ Organic. Whatever Cecil approached him last summer about putting out a release on Fang Over Fist, and six months later Bigby turned in this project, his debut EP. Bigby likes to work both by sampling and playing instruments, so he did the natural thing and worked on this project by combining the two approaches, or in his words, “Various synth VSTs and different drum packs were used for this project completed entirely in FL studio.” There is a dreamy modern synth pop vibe to a chunk of this EP, but you can tell by his drumming that his roots are in hip hop. The real key here, though, is that Bigby took the time to not just turn in a beat tape that would give you a taste of his production. He went and made some fully formed instrumental songs that take you on an emotional journey, with really well developed melodies that will stick with you. There’s something about Bigby’s compositions, between the propulsion of his beats and this gentle romanticism underlying his synth melodies that gives the whole EP this really optimistic tone that is infectious. It feels like it would make the perfect soundtrack for a late night drive.

Fang Over Fist once again introduces us to an amazing Arizona talent in Bigby. Negative Self Talk might be his debut EP, but he’s showing a lot of maturity and confidence in his abilities as a producer and songwriter on this project. He’s got a unique point of view and a distinct style, and he’s given us an absolutely gorgeous collection of instrumental songs to get things started.