Written by Emma McCarthy
Slovakian rap entering the American hip-hop scene was not on my bingo card for 2025.
The resurgence of Slovakian rap – riding the wave of Afrobeat melodies – has proved not just bearable, but heavenly to listen to.
Typical Slovakian hip-hop usually centers their talent on spoken word and rhymes to illustrate a rugged yet rich reputation, lacking in rhythmic instrumental production that a song needs to be enjoyable, danceable, and catchy. Rising above the bar, the collab of the summer belongs to Separ, French Montana, and Peter Pann’s song “Body to Body” released March 17, 2025 as part of Separ’s album NEVIEM. This week, the song is reigning its popularity still crowned at the #3 spot on Apple Music’s “Top 100: Slovakian Hits.”
French Montana’s “unforgettable” influence on the song pulls in a tropical house genre vibe with string plucked guitars, rainforest backtracks, and a solid Afrobeat foundation charmed with ad libs that compliments the rapping with a swaying, soothing presence. Within the first 10 seconds of the song, somber piano chords blend into the rhythm to a ticking clock that bursts into the main track of the instrumental with a patois producer mark echoing “Peter Pann Badmann” — almost as if you are being alleviated from whatever stress in life and transported to a party on the beach with a spritz in hand.
If you are into Afrobeats and house, you will appreciate not only the familiarity of English lyrics to sing along to as you swing your hips to the catchy beat, but the effortless flow of Separ’s lines in Slovak. Sometimes, songs are even better appreciated when you can’t understand the language of the lyrics, however, if you are a Slovak (like this writer), you will love the blend of the Eastern European and Afro-Latine cultures in this song.
The chorus, layered with euphonious harmony and punchy beat, feels easy to get lost in while dancing. The lyrics narrate a yearning promiscuity for a mysterious muse that creates a mesmerizing sense of desire and uplift.
The switch in language, smooth as wading through a calm seashore, allows for both Slovakian-American and Moroccan-American cultures to resonate with select references that pay an homage to the artists’ respective languages and cultures.
The raps themselves flaunt their gained riches and fame in comparison to their humble origins. Separ admits in the last line of his last rap verse that even coming from the “stoky” (translation: sewers) and navigating life without the support of his “otca” (translation: father), Separ still reached success and developed a “mindset” empowering him to believe no place was out of reach.
To add some criticism, Separ could have enriched his lyrics with references to Slovakian culture and life instead of just rapping about clubs and yachts a majority of the time. As a Slovakian, it feels rare to have our country and people represented on the big stage of mainstream media, so when the opportunity presents itself, it would feel more representative to hear Separ shoutout more familiar brands, towns, and customs unique to Slovakia.
Since Separ’s music career began in 2014, this will mark the second time he’s collaborated with a beloved staple in the American rap and hip-hop scene.The first being when Separ worked with Snoop Dogg on “Uuuu” which came of Separ’s 2023 album FLOWDEMORT. Collaborating with French Montana shines the spotlight onto Separ’s career simply in association with the BET Hip-Hop Award Winner.
For a Slovak artist, this ascending transition to higher levels of collaborations with rap and hip-hop legends is putting Slovakian rap on the radar in a way that Slovak-Americans, such as myself, are very excited to experience the collision of our two worlds.
