Bumpin Uglies have always known how to bottle up a feeling—and their new single “I-95” delivers that feeling straight from the cupholders of an East Coast summer road trip. Released June 13, the track is equal parts mixtape memory, beach-bound escape, and lyrical time capsule. From the jump you’re riding shotgun with the Maryland crew, bass thumping, and windows down.
This isn’t just a drive—it’s a pilgrimage to the coast. You can almost hear the seagulls, smell the saltwater, and feel the boardwalk breeze as the song plays out bringing you closer and closer to the shoreline. The lyrics drop you in the passenger seat with sand still stuck between your toes and a cooler rattling around in the back. Whether you grew up traveling on I-95 or not, the details feel universal—anticipating those fleeting summer moments where time slows down and music fills in the gaps.
Built on an early ‘90s framework, the beat leans into a smooth, golden-era hip-hop pocket with a reggae backbone.
It’s got that subconscious head-nod bounce that makes your fingers tap the steering wheel without notice. Frontman, Brandon Hardesty delivers his lines like entries in a travel log: honest, cheeky, and completely lived-in. With a hook that loops like a road sign you keep passing—“Summertime’s got me back on I-95 / Heading for a beach town / Looking for a vibe”—Hardesty spits tales of fat sacks, cheap thrills, and buckets of fried chicken.
Every lyric is laced with greasy hands, blaring subs, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from sharing a sunburn. It’s the soundtrack to burnout that’s answered with a road trip, summertime vibe hunting, with a hand with a heavy pour.
But just as you’re settling into the song’s breezy bounce, Scotty P. of Jah Works crashes in with a verse that hits heavier—gritty, percussive, and full of that raw East Coast snap. It’s a sharp contrast to Hardesty’s bright, almost poppy delivery earlier in the track. Known for his introspective and often profound lyricism, Hardesty keeps it light here—fun, punchy, and intentionally straightforward. That shift makes Scotty’s guest verse even more impactful, grounding the track with DMV grit and offering up one of the song’s most memorable lines: “Honestly Mister Hardesty / Really respecting your artistry.” It hits like a salute, while the follow-up line—“Pass the torch, son, it’s your turn now”—feels like a formal handoff.
It’s not just a feature—it’s a moment of respect and recognition, tying past and present together without slowing the ride.
In typical Bumpin Uglies fashion, there’s no overproduction, no sleight of hand—just windows-down storytelling and a rhythm that rides with cruise control confidence.
If you’ve ever found yourself driving just to feel something, if you’ve ever thrown on a song to outrun the static of your day, this one’s for you. “I-95” isn’t about where you’re going—it’s about the ride.
Bumpin Uglies don’t just write songs—they write soundtracks.
Artist Links: Website | Instagram | Spotify | Uglies Nation Facebook Group
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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