THEHIDDENSPLASH 2

Now some might ask, was I fan of the first one? Well I bought it the same day in Bandcamp. I bought the vinyl for it AND even the limited series T Shirt designs for it! So that should prove how much I loved the record, the sequel has been one of my most anticipated of 2026 since it was rumoured to drop and now that’s it here safely stored in my Bandcamp library it’s time to talk about it!

This is the blockbuster sequel album by rapper and 23 Incredible solider -The Hidden Character AKA ‘???’ And is back again with the notorious -BONEWESO and they comeback swinging along side features in
-CODENINE
-WRITEOUS RULER
-CHYNA BAEJING
-NYEUSI LOE
-FTB BOOGZ

And man, if the goal was to create an album that is somehow more elevated and cinematic then the first then mission fucking accomplished because this record is the definition of wavy!

Across this 11 track album we hear ??? At possibly his most sharp, motivated and charismatic! We’ve heard a variant of versions from his so far this year from his bar fest with -CODENINE to his more surreal atmosphere vibes on his album with -VISH and now we are getting just him and his mission to show everyone how much he’s evolved, how much levels he’s increased (even since those albums) and especially since the first HIDDENSPLASH record and you can hear that determination in his voice as he spits his trademark fluency mixed with uncompromising street talk that only he can pull off!

To me, he’s one of the most lyrically flexible rappers we’ve ever had! He’s somehow able to bend the words themselves to twist, roll, jump and pull around the instrumentals and make his verses sound as pliable as possible. As if his penmanship comes with the powers of the Gum-Gum Fruit!
The way he’s able to combine his extravagant use of high energy ad-libs, velvet smooth bar work and a charisma so slick that he radiates in every studio he sets foot in!
I love how he only brings with him his Hip-Hop brothers in arms! The usual 23 family who compliment his work better then anyone else! Of course -CODENINE is now a fan favourite collaborator with ??? But I was also blown away by -CHYNA BAEJING as her progress and performances continue to surprise me more and more each time I hear her!

It was dope to see -FTB BOOGZ being on the second last track, he’s an underrated artist who not only has one of the dopest personalities outside of music who makes you feel like best friends after only a handful of conversations! But he’s also a killer on the mic and his synchronous energy with ??? Worked wonders on this track!
Of course both -NYEUSI LOE & WRITEOUS RULER bring their A game every time they are in the booth and no more so then alongside ??? As they bring an atmosphere to the record that only they can provide! True lyrical monsters!

Most would assume ‘how could BONE possibly out do himself after the first record?’ And honestly I had that thought as well before I played it. But in all the areas that he shined in on the original he’s amplified on this one! As I said this one is cinematic in it’s execution with each beat feeling like a montage score from a 1980’s action/thriller film that feels both intense and surreal all at once!

Whether your talking the track -PRICEGOINGUP as we get those introduction Jazz horns that guide the song into it’s full fledged form with those same horns looping throughout the song alongside some stripped back drum patterns, absolutely gruelling bass lines and these super subtle keys in the background that shimmer every so often for a tad bit extra texture!
This is one of those cerebral tone tracks which was perfect for -CHYNA to go OFF on!

The opening track -I.S.L.A.M has more horns that have a more minimal quality to them and they loop throughout the instrumental! This one is accompanied by this bare vocal snippet that joins the horn loops!
This one has what sounds like some tribal drums that are subtly centred in the background as those raging bass strings return to kick your ears into full gear!
This one feels like a spiritual awakening while sitting in a forest in Argentina. Definitely a larger-than-life one on that one!

Hell we can talk the track -FOURFIVESSIX which is arguably the most stripped back track of the mix! First of all we have that beautifully sombre intro with those emotionally heavy horns that make you feel the pain of the player! Alongside those tragic notes we have some slow paced piano keys that work hand in hand with the horns to guide the song into it’s complete form which will later involve some lively & mesmerising drum notes with the continuous return of those sickeningly deep bass notes that add to the sombre attitude of the instrumental!
This one has -WRITEOUS RULER on it whose intense lyricism adds multiple extra layers to the track due to his performance!

The cat is out the bag, THE SPLASH IS NO LONGER HIDDEN and it’s up to you to go support the men and women who are creating your favourite music! Sure you can wait till it’s on streaming OR you can pay the $35 that you would normally spend on a fast food meal and go support the culture! It’s your call! Click on the link now!