When I think of Fort Wayne MC Sankofa, the Jay-Z line “I’m not a businessman/I’m a business, man” comes to mind. Sankofa is not only one of the finest rappers in the Midwest (dare I say in the lower 48), but he’s turned releasing his work into an art form.

Consider 2024 “The Year of Sankofa.” The man (known to family, friends, and work colleagues as Stephen Bryden) has a full musical docket for 2024. January was 12 Crows on a Wire and February brought us the soulful Most Anything of Value. 

Working with producer EDS, Sankofa brings things down to a breezy, nostalgic groove. Old-school beats, jazzy melodies, and, of course, Sankofa’s thoughtful verses make this album pretty special. 

From the black and white album cover to song titles like “Dreamin’ Hoops,” “Cigar Chompin’ at Denny’s,” and “Kitchen Studio Sessions,” there’s an air of nostalgia and reminiscing. 

Opener “Peace Yuself Afloat” hangs in the air like a dream just before you wake with head-bopping beat, jazz-inflected vibes, and, of course, Sankofa’s delivery, smooth like chrome. The “duh duh duh” in the chorus brings to mind Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner.” This is seriously good and low-key funky. 

I love the almost Fats Waller piano roll of “Dreamin’ Hoops” and the dreamy vocal samples on “Counting Weed Clouds,” while the Philly soul groove of “Kitchen Studio Sessions” will force even the stiffest of souls to nod along. “Blue Flannel Plaid” ends this trip on a contemplative note: “Played it safe, but guardedness made me numb/I need to feel alive to heal the rising hatred once/Find me in a throng of folks who feel the same way/Blue flannel plaid rocked in the eighth grade.”

Sankofa continues to expand his delivery and word play and even mixes in some melodic vocals in his already expertly crafted rapping (and welcomed guest appearances by Showrocka, JON?DOE, ACT-1, and AthenA).