Class is in session with Mr. Barone… I mean, Jab’s new single, “ABC with JAB”. It is his first release since his EP, TROT SZN, dropped earlier in the year. Over production by Lord, the lyrical exercise sees Jab spitting couplets that use each letter of the alphabet for the entire song. It is akin to the famed “Alphabet Aerobics” by Blackalicious which is the same concept but Jab emphasises a steady flow with some humorous lines.

In two minutes, Jab covers ADHD acquisition, broken bonds, casual casualties, dynamite devastation, evil entities, fanbase formulations, gifted genetics, hitting haters, inspirational ideals, juicy juggs, kindergarten knavery, lucky ladies, musical musicality, neighbourhood notifications, overcoming obstacles, parasite prevention, quarantined queens, rapid raps, sustained stabilisation, tested teamwork, unarguable under-appreciation, vicious verses, worthwhile wordplay, x-ing exes, yapping yelpers and having a zucchini in his zipper. He does this all while only leaning on a few words that do not start with the letter at hand; “positive yet you negative dogs” as part of the Y couplet is the only portion which stretches the limitation. The song is a suitable foray for Jab who doubles as a school teacher. It is all the more impressive for someone who has had to overcome dyslexia yet displays strong writing abilities.

“ABC with JAB” was released with an accompanying music video directed by Ryan Lewis and has Jab sitting behind a desk. The letter in focus is displayed on a television screen while the lyrics are scrawled across the desk.

As alphabetic attempts are achieved, “ABC with JAB” blindly boasts brilliance. That is it for me.