Joshua Hurst, also known as DJThriller is a 19-year-old rapper, producer and artist based in California. He brings his lyricism along with old-school samples to the genres of contemporary jazz and modern alternative hip-hop. Mental Health is self-admittedly an important cause for the musician who is currently pursuing a film major in California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He has been releasing music since 2022 and has built up an extensive discography with his latest release “Make It” being a great addition to it.

DJThriller raps like he means it. He has a deep voice that has a sense of intensity and maturity to it. His flow is consistent and the vocal performance is able to add emotion to the penmanship. The choice of the vintage sample is clever in my opinion. The ethereal strings and vintage vibes are enhanced in the way that it is flipped. The bass guitar is simple but acts like percussion by keeping rhythm and beat while the actual drum lands softly.

I wish there was a little more variation in the flows and while the instrumentation does switch up the percussion towards the last minute, the track has the tendency to sometimes feel monotonous. The references and homage to other rap songs in lines like “Started from the bottom” was memorable. Lyrically, “Make It” explores the vision DJThriller has for his music. It is a spiritual deep dive into the streets, the struggle, the future that is set up for the kids, unemployment, generations of similar outcomes and the need to do better. While the track ends with a few confidence boosting bars, it keeps the importance and need for love at the centre of it.

Make sure to listen to “Make It” by DJThriller here: