Nessly is experiencing a new beginning. It all starts with his recently released album, Wildflower. The project is his first since December 2016, when he dropped his Solo Boy Band EP. The Atlanta-bred rapper has released just a handful tracks since, but his latest music—sonically more moody and atmospheric—unveils a revamped vibe and artistic direction.
"I don’t thank God enough, I’m so ungrateful/That’s my fault for treating all these hoes like angels," Nessly sing-raps on the Wildflower intro "Thank God." He says the track—which bleeds into "Ungrateful," with revved-up production from New York City-based production duo Take a Day Trip—is about grappling with internal demons. "I’m saying, literally, I need to pray more, I need to humble myself and] I need to treat people better," he tells XXL. "It’s almost like a spiritual battle I’m discussing."
The 13-track album—largely produced by Take a Day Trip and TM88—is Nessly's most in-depth project to date. Wildflower is so cohesive and descriptive the conjoined term, it's hard to believe it was named by accident.
"The original name the project was Wildfire. Wildfire is literally the destruction beauty—wildfires destroy forests, plants, trees and flowers," Nessly explains while pointing to his hand tattoos—one, a lively rose; the other, a wilted one on the brink death. "So I called it Wildfire because I was killing f the rose and just tying it all in together. But] I figured Wildflower was the best decision in the end, just ’cause I kept saying it on accident. I was like, ‘I find so much meaning in this. Maybe there’s a bigger picture to why I keep messing up, saying Wildflower.’ It’s not even a part my everyday vocabulary."
Wildflower delves into Nessly's insecurities, fering an honesty and openness that he believes many rappers aren't willing to explore. "Even with the cover, that’s why you see me surrounded by all the girls—I feel like I disappointed all these girls," he says. The cover displays Nessly wearing a Gucci sweater as 15 ladies fawn over him with looks hope in their eyes. "It’s almost to show like, while I’m shining, the people I’m supposed to love aren’t as well f as me. It all ties in to being honest with yourself and exposing yourself. And I feel like a lot people can relate to that."