On March 13, Latrell James tweeted “Almost forgot who I was. Never again.” And then, as if to double down on his statement two days later, the Boston rapper and producer dropped his first project in four years. Running In Place (released March 15) picks up where James left off in 2020 with his EP Under, unrolling 13 tracks’ worth of gymnastic bars that effortlessly leap between social commentaries. A handful of songs feature area acts ToriTori and Lilah — plus Baton Rouge rapper Quadry — but James’ arresting wordplay always seizes center stage at this “Tedd Talk.” “I’m thumbing through the chapters / Feels like I’m running backwards / At least I’m running, though,” he raps on the opening track, low-key production accentuating his story. Catch up with James’ creative journey below.
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