Maybe like half a decade ago I posted a tweet asking people to send me one of their songs so I could write about their music. I think this was pretty soon after my first account had gotten suspended, and I had just gotten my second account set up. Long story short, I was overwhelmed by the amount of submissions I received and ended up not listening to a single one. I don’t think anyone remembers that but I genuinely still feel bad about it to this day. I do also think it’s kinda hilarious though. That’s probably the craziest engagement farming I’ll ever do. With that said, I did something similar just now, but on a relatively infinitesimal scale.

I will give my honest thoughts on the first song that someone replies to this tweet with. It can be your song or someone else's song you just really like. Only the first reply tho.

— OG NICK MARSH (@focusOGNICK) May 2, 2026

I was able to turn off replies quickly after I received the first submission, and now here we are. Depending on how this goes I may do this every weekend for the time being.

This is track 2 from a mixtape called Sound Garden that Anferneewc released at the end of 2024. This was a really dark time in my life. That fact isn’t exactly relevant, but I still felt the need to share it. Anyway, Anferneewc is a Hip Hop artist based out of Toronto. I had nothing on which to base any expectations, so I was kinda ready for anything. I recently posted a tweet about how the majority of artists who ask me to check out their music are actually pretty good and rarely ever trash. Don’t get me wrong, it has definitely happened before. Generally I feel like artists know not to send me anything unless it’s something they’re genuinely proud of and think I will enjoy though, at least these days. There was a point where all the stuff people sent me was ass. We’ve come a long way. Anyway, the trend of people sending me dope stuff is still goin’ strong. I enjoyed this track. There are aspects of it I don’t love, but overall I definitely think this is a dope song. The production is handled by an artist named Leo Grand who is also from Toronto. I really appreciate how the instrumental evolves as the track progresses. Regarding Anfernee’s actual rap performance, I was kind of unsure about it at first. The lyrics are good, and the flow is solid for the most part—although there are a couple occasions where it feels like it’s close to being just barely off-beat, it never actually fully falls into that pothole. The biggest issue I had at first was just the tone of his voice. I typically am not into rappers who have noticeably high voices. Vocally, he reminds me of Quentin Branch, who I’m really not a fan of personally. With that said, as an actual rapper, Anfernee is significantly more skilled than Quentin. I was like, “ight I’ll give you that one” by the time the first verse was over.

Watered my own garden, manifested my greatness
Used to get left behind, now they copy my patience
Don't wanna watch the throne, clock that I'm gonna take it
Swimmin' through troubled waters, but wadin' in God's graces

I like lyrics like this. I think religious and biblical references are really dope in rap music. I personally don’t believe in God, but I wish I did. I feel like I would be a much more optimistic and hopeful person if I genuinely believed there was a God. I can’t fake it though. It’s not really a choice; you either believe or you don’t, but I digress. Earlier I alluded to an “evolution” in this song musically. The first half was able to win me over, but I was instantly sold on the second half. That’s when the song goes from “pretty good” to “woah…” if that makes sense. Both Anferneewc & Leo Grand gave really special performances here in my opinion. I actually think the beat is excellent, and Fern sounds fantastic over it. His flow is very good, and I think his voice sounds better over this more jazzy sound. I also love how personal the lyricism is as well. This verse is actually really great.

I talk to myself a lot
And I needed help a lot
Was takin' them L's a lot
But makin' them sales, was not
I was workin' off the process
I was skirtin' off my problems
I don't deal with all my trauma
I ignore my greatest monster
I impaired my own vision
Like my father, don't listen
I'm a sinner, more a Christian
But really there's no difference
I'm better than nobody
My heart has been so lonely
I don't got no real homies
But everyone waitin' on me

Fern’s impassioned vocal delivery is what completes it in my opinion. He was rappin’ like he meant it. This song honestly just gets better and better as it progresses. It’s very dope. I followed Anfernee on Twitter, IG, and Bandcamp, so I’ll be looking forward to hearing more stuff. Check this track out and let me know what you think. I am very satisfied with the results personally, so I think I’ll be taking submissions once or twice a week. Don’t hold me to that though. We’ll see what happens, just stay tuned. ✌🏽