The two Texans exchange wisdom and motivation to listeners

Being a veteran of hip-hop comes with its share of knowledge and learned lessons. Being an underground artist and collaborating with some big names in the industry comes with its own lessons on what it means to hustle. Combine the two and you get Bun B and Le$’s latest collaboration, Distant. Recorded at producer Dave Sitek’s 1700-acre land called ‘Sonic Farm’ in Texas, the two rappers traded bars on what it means to hustle, respect and lessons to live by.

“Wolf Spider” opens up the EP with a hi-hat lead drum pattern. Holding the main melody is a slightly distorted guitar. Starting off the song is Le$ rapping about how he’s on his grind always and wants those to recognize and respect it. “Treat this shit just like I’m trapping, never off of my grind.” Bun B comes in halfway bringing in his own experience with getting to where he is now. “You can compare me to a lot of things but never to y’all.” Next up is “Live By,” which tells of different lessons that people need to abide by in life. “Get your money feed your family and just stay out the way,” Le$ says over another guitar-led production with chimes sprinkled in.

“How it go” switches it up with Bun B starting it off. Here the beat brings this sense of hopefulness with a synth-heavy melody. Bun B goes off about his past and his view on how beef is handled today. “I ain’t finna be fussing cussing all on the gram/ Imma just pull up where you at and wipe your ass off the map.” Le$ mentions his past as well but on how people should just mind their own business. “Maintain” is more groovy, production-wise. The tempo is the slowest out of all the tracks and the drums hold a scattered pattern. This track focuses on the different ways to keep track of your mental state and be able to continue onto the next day. The chorus alone gives its own examples on things they do.

A spacey synth-led production with a simple and consistent drum pattern comes with “Point of view.” This track focuses on their own lives and worries that come along with it. Even if the listeners may not understand it, their experience is all they know which is why they continue to speak on it. In the final and title track, “Distant” is driven by a light-hearted trap drum pattern. Le$ takes the start while he goes on about maintaining his hustle no matter what happens. Bun B gives advice on the industry for those who might be entering in and about his own grind starting off.

Bun B says, “Never miss out on some free game, you better listen and learn.” That alone sums up the EP. Distant is a chance to learn from one of the veterans of hip-hop and a hustler that has made his name known. It’s a chance to hear their experience and reflect on whatever you, as a listener, are going through. With different stories told and lessons spanning different areas of life, Bun B and Le$ make Distant their own personal classroom hoping to expand their knowledge across to others.