Liverpool producer Montao just dropped one of the most striking collaborations of the year, teaming up with hip-hop legend Rakim for the atmospheric new single “Present Tense.” It’s a pairing that shouldn’t work on paper but lands perfectly in execution.

The track moves through a slow-burning blend of trip-hop, cinematic electronica, and alternative hip-hop, anchored by a soaring female vocal loop that lingers like a half-remembered dream. That haunting backdrop gives Rakim exactly the space he needs to do what he does best.

Rakim’s Verse Digs Deep Into Mortality and Time

True to the title, Rakim’s verse stays rooted in the present tense, wrestling with life, growth, mortality, and the relentless passing of time. His delivery is reflective and unhurried, running inward rather than outward. Montao’s production never rushes him, letting every bar breathe against the atmospheric wash of sound underneath.

The result is a meeting of two distinct worlds: Montao’s immersive, understated production style and Rakim’s lyrical weight as one of hip-hop’s most foundational voices. Rather than trading on nostalgia, “Present Tense” feels forward-looking, an intimate meditation on where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

“Present Tense” pushes Montao’s signature atmosphere and emotion into new territory. It’s a track built for late nights, long journeys, and those rare moments when the world finally goes quiet.

“Present Tense” is out now. Here it is on all DSP’s.