EP Review: divine timing

Donell has dropped an EP, divine timing, which feels both timeless and refreshing, nodding to a wide spectrum of artists while keeping hip-hop grounded and authentic. Right from the opening track, he sets the tone with a lyrical exploration of faith – one that extends naturally into the following song, Live On. What makes these tracks stand out isn’t just the subject matter, but how the words sit on top of lush, soul-inspired grooves that recall the G-funk era and the rich R&B textures that shaped much of New Zealand’s scene in the early 2000s. There’s an undeniable warmth here, and if you listen closely, every instrument seems to tell its own story. The organ lead line in the second verse of Live On is just one of many moments where the instrumentation speaks as loudly as the verses.

It’s clear throughout the EP that immense care has gone into the building of each track. Funk-driven basslines, steady drum foundations, and a carefully chosen palette of instruments give the project a live-band feel that would translate perfectly on stage. The production is lush without ever feeling cluttered, allowing Donell’s words to cut through with precision and intent.

Lyrically, this is hip-hop at its core: storytelling rooted in honesty and lived experience. Donell’s delivery carries theological and philosophical weight while remaining grounded in Aotearoa, reflecting the realities of growing up in Lower Hutt and finding a voice within the Wellington rap scene. Every line feels believed, delivered with a conviction that makes the listening experience both thought-provoking and personal. His pronunciation and flow are crisp, never trying to mimic anyone else, but instead carving out a style that is punchy, direct, and seasoned with humour and emotion in just the right measure.

By the time the EP shifts into its third track, listeners are drawn deeper into Donell’s world, discovering more about the artist not just through his words but through the moods and textures of the music itself. divine timing is a project that rewards close listening, blending vulnerability and groove into a record that feels spiritually aware, musically rich, and proudly rooted in New Zealand’s hip-hop lineage.