motel void

Rayhan Jabbar is a rapper, actor, and sketch comedian based in Scarborough, Toronto. His debut album, uLove: Rayhan’s Version, marks the first chapter of his ambitious Untitled Trilogy. He refers to it as “Rayhan’s Version” because the project is deeply personal – its raw emotional peaks and valleys, bold sonic experiments, and unflinching lyricism paint an unfiltered portrait of his inner world. “I wanted it to feel like a wooden roller coaster — rough, thrilling, and real,” he says. And that’s exactly what it delivers.

The album features 11 tracks, and right from the opening Broken Heart Intro, it’s clear that Rayhan isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. The production immediately stands out – pop-leaning and approachable on the surface, but full of twists and subtle complexities that reveal themselves on repeat listens. His voice is captivating: confident, expressive, and versatile. There are echoes of artists like Frank Ocean, but Rayhan’s style remains his own.

No Tomorrow shifts the mood into more aggressive territory. It’s rhythmically sharp, and driven by rap energy – easily one of the most immediate and infectious tracks on the record. The next track, Cold, offers a more introspective moment: a jazz-influenced, richly layered piece that channels the spirit of Madvillain or Kendrick Lamar – moody and immersive.

FREAK HOES stands out as a bold return to experimental hip hop, this time anchored by a surprisingly catchy and direct chorus. The beat twists and turns, creating a sense of controlled chaos. This is followed by New Reflections Interlude, one of the album’s most striking moments for me – it’s hazy, dreamlike, and richly textured, allowing Rayhan’s vocals to float through a jazzy soundscape.

Then there’s Bands On My Lonely, which leans into emotionally raw territory with a sound reminiscent of Lil Peep – it’s vulnerable, melodic, and effortlessly cool. Untitled Love comes next: a brief, intimate track under two minutes that once again recalls Frank Ocean in its storytelling. These fleeting, diary-like tracks are among the album’s most powerful.

The record closes with Sincerely Yours Freestyle, an emotionally charged outro.. Rayhan doesn’t hold back – his lyrics cut deep. It’s a fitting end to an album that never shies away from emotional risk.

As a whole, uLove is a coming-of-age project about heartbreak, healing, addiction, friendship, sex, and the messy, beautiful search for love and connection in your twenties. It’s about reckless choices, difficult truths, and fleeting clarity — all delivered through a blend of genres that refuses to stay boxed in.

This is just the beginning. uLove is the first in a planned trilogy, with the second installment, uDOPE, set to release this fall.

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