If you’ve had “Landed in Brooklyn” stuck in your head for weeks, you’re not alone.
Khantrast has taken the world of hip-hop by surprise after he transitioned from anime rap to something a little more sophisticated.
With reference to the Rush Hour movies, we know that this star is not joking when it comes to the community that has shaped his life. Growing up in a predominantly Black and Hispanic High School, he saw the opportunity to pay homage to that part of his life in his music.
And you can see that influence throughout his discography from the slang he uses to his lyrics, which is one of my favorite things about his music. So, without further ado, let’s dive into my personal favorite songs by Khantrast.
1. Valedictorian
Starting off with a bang from Chinatowns Favorite, Khantrast proves that a bop is not limited to English. The beat, flow, and lyrics of “Valedictorian” carry regardless of the language, making you feel like you’re in a music video while singing along.
This one’s all about hustling and doing everything you can to make a better future for yourself and your fam. It’s also about his real life—yes, he was actually valedictorian in High School and boy, did he make it known on YouTube reels.
2.Landed in Brooklyn
This list would not be complete without the iconic song that made Khantrast blow up on social media. With 26 million views on YouTube and 39.4 million streams on Spotify, “Landed in Brooklyn” is Khan’s most listened to song. And with good reason.
It solidified his switch from anime rap to drill, proving to be one of the best decisions for his career. Rapping about his experience of being born in Brooklyn, celebrating those roots, and honoring his friends and family, “Landed in Brooklyn” isn’t just a song to dance to. It’s also a declaration of identity.
3. Did it again
And in fact, he did do it again! With banger after banger, Khantrast is no doubt the king of New York drill. “Did it again” proves that this guy does not mess around when it comes to the hustle. And he has certainly delivered his magnum opus—but there’s no reason to stop there.
The instrumental after the bridge makes the song feel holy and cinematic all at once. It makes you feel like the main character—like you’re on top of the world and there is nothing in your way to stop you from greatness.
4. Man of the year
This song’s for the ones who need a little push. Even if others don’t believe in you, you’ve gotta believe in yourself. Focusing on your goals until you can be proud of what you’ve achieved. And even then, you can still go for greater goals.
Khan raps, “I gotta do it like Nike Air.” And what is Nike’s famous motto?
“Just do it.”
Be the person you’ve always wanted to be because waiting won’t do you any good in the long run.
5. Where is the bread
“Where is the bread” is about more than chasing money and success. It’s about being persistent and never settling for less than you deserve.
Here’s my personal favorite line that’s been an earworm for a few weeks, “We stackin’ them munyuns, tens, honeys, Benji-franks/Let’s get to the bean, bread, breach, we webbin’ up ranks.”
Mixing Brazilian Funk and hip hop, this track goes hard from the first bar. It drips with ambition from start to finish and brings all types of cultures together, a main theme in his discography.
6. Word is Bond
Family struggles in a nutshell. We all have them. This song is not only relatable, but also slow and deep; a song you can sway to while losing yourself in the melody.
He references rappers like Logic, Mac Miller, and Hopsin to honor them for inspiring him and finding a way to express himself.
The music video itself has a different vibe than his usual ones, leaning into a slower and cinematic vibe. Khantrast gave insight into his father’s choice to pour the tea in the music, explaining that it symbolizes a bridge between cultures. It expresses how that moment was “euphoric” for him, especially since his family isn’t big on pleasantries, making the moment even more heartfelt.
7. Ick List
Went through heartbreak, and your ex is turning you into the villain? This song is perfect for you! With a mocking tone and third-degree burns, Khan puts his ex “six feet below the dirt.”
It’s upbeat, it’s catchy, and it has a cool anime edit that makes this music video as fun to watch as it is to listen to. What more can you want from a Khantrast song?
8. Let’s Ride
Influenced by Latin beats, Khantrast spits bars with a flow that races forward with relentless momentum. The car is at full speed, nearing the end of its tank, and Khan makes it his mission to deliver his lines with the utmost swag in a single breath.
It’s the perfect song for when you’re driving at night with the volume all the way up and your windows down, feeling the wind in your face like the main character you are.
9. Ghengis
This one’s all about Khan stepping up to those haters. He’s not an anime rapper anymore, but that doesn’t mean he’s a different person. Just like anyone else on this planet, he’s constantly evolving to bigger and better things.
Channeling his ambitious mindset, he declares, “Like Genghis Khan, my name gon’ spread, we taking over the country.”
And taken over, he has! With his Spotify numbers increasing weekly, there’s no doubt that he’s on the way to having another hit in the future.
10. Tokyo Stick up
This 2022 single featuring DizzyEight packs punch after punch with ceaseless, incredible flow. It wreaks havoc in the depths of your mind hours after listening for the first time.
The evolution of Khantrast’s discography throughout the years, from playful anime raps to ambitious drill, is a testament to his growth as an artist.
Final Thoughts
Khantrast’s music isn’t just a one-hit wonder. With his next-to-latest song, “ADD” making the rounds over social media, he proves that pushing boundaries—his own and life’s—and staying true to yourself is the path to success.
Which one of these tracks was your favorite? If we missed one that you wanted to see on this list, leave a little comment!
