Illsamar is an emcee based out of Southern California (Covina, for those of you familiar with the area). She’s been putting out singles and videos for a couple of years, but now it’s finally time for her to take the next step as she releases her EP, foreign.

For the EP, Illsamar works with producers Newselph, Wontel, Asaiah Ziv, and Germmanii, who come together to give her a collection of modern trap/R&B-influenced beats. This fits well with Illsamar’s flow, who is very percussive and staccato as she spits her bars. The beats are of a slower tempo, with plenty of space to them, which opens things up so that you can really hear Illsamar on the mic. This is great, because not only is she talented with her rhythmic interplay, she’s also an incredibly open and honest emcee who’s dropping some really emotionally moving rhymes. Illsamar is a young Mexican American woman whose faith means a great deal to her, and she leans on it as she struggle to navigate both the music industry and the world at large, both of which don’t always value her the way she deserves. She’s not looking for your pity, though, she just wants your respect. And with the way she’s laying down the songs on this EP, she’s going to garner a lot more respect as people take the time to listen to it. It’s technically very good, but it’s Illsamar’s emotional honesty and her ear for memorable hooks that sets this EP apart from the pack.

Illsamar might not be a name that you know yet, but you’ll want to get familiar with her, and I suggest you do it sooner rather than later. foreign is a big step forward for the young emcee, who is really finding her voice and makes a big statement with these eight songs.