On his self-produced fourth album in the last five years, producer/rapper TROY NōKA circles around a loose theme: Every choice has a ripple. With a flow reminiscent of Dropout Bear-era Kanye West, the Austin native’s producing chops shine bright on Ripple due to his penchant for instilling warmth into his beats. Second track “Don’t Forget Where You Came From” features the Grammy-awarded producer in his most potent form, piano speckling a soulfully looped sample and lyrics touching on how his roots keep him grounded from “grandma’s porch to foreign lands.” His love for piano later explodes into the melodic backbone for “Focus or Fade,” another standout cut in which NōKA maintains music is “my dream, not a hobby.” Penultimate song “Where It Begins” flips the script sonically with a heavier drop before NōKA makes his biggest decision yet: “I know how the story ends if I left my little one at 4/ I know I’ve gotta keep the family together/ I feel it at my core.” After spending the majority of his early career racking up production credits for others, including Ciara, Doja Cat, and Frank Ocean, NōKA’s renewed focus on his own efforts continues to cause a positive ripple effect.
This article appears in February 6 • 2026.