by Dan O

The most exciting times to follow music are those times when a singular voice comes into our speakers and expands what is possible to an unfathomable degree. 2025 was not the year Bruiser Wolf came into our consciousness, that was 2021, 2025 was the year we fully integrated Wolf into our existing music universe. First time we got to hear the patented Bruiser Wolf/William Shatner flow over a single producer’s beats for a full project and who better than Harry Fraud? We got to hear Bruiser Wolf and billy woods and it worked so much better than either fanbase could have anticipated. Providing two full albums: Potluck and Raised By Dope, his voice was everywhere stacking features with some of the most interesting artists in the world. It was no surprise to have Wolf and Fat Ray burning down a Black Milk beat, on one of the years best albums but everyone from Valee, Crimeapple, Curren$y, and Fatboi Sharif tapped in and spotlighted the Detroit spitter. By the end of 2025 he had multiple shout outs from Kevin Durant. Not many rappers in the world can claim the scope of excitement and influence Wolf has built this year. 

We misinform ourselves as an audience sometimes by accepting limitations as that of the subgenre or genre and not the single artist. We complain about coke rap until the Clipse are back, we shrug at rap that depends on humor because humor is limited…except it’s not. The only limit is the imagination. Bruiser Wolf is funny and calmly capable of providing the darkest most shameful laugh you’ll utter. It’s not just punch lines about carrots on rings being finger food, Wolf is one of the best storytellers. His memories are moody, traumatic, hilarious and he paints more vividly than most with a brush ever have. 

The best comparison for getting to know Wolf like we did in 2025 is watching Michael Irvin play in the 90s. Watching 88 burn through teams, spike the ball and dance as the seconds bled off the clock. I don’t remember ever having a football conversation about whether Irvin was the best wide receiver in the NFL during the Cowboys dynasty. No debate to be had just watch the show. Irvin put on a black mink coat and dark shades, walked into a courtroom with 20 years on the line and smiled at the cameras, it was a hundred and five degrees outside. That mink coat smile is the first three songs on Potluck from Say No More to Air Fryer. Wolf is always the whole show, the consummate entertainer, laying one liners that make you laugh but on the fourth listen are heavy with sorrow. Offer I couldn’t Refuse is a great example “A few more flips then I’m out of it. How did I get here? I had a scholarship. I played ball now it’s an 8ball in my pocket…f*ck it, drop it, lets change the subject.”  Sometimes coke rappers create a distance between the audience and themselves. It makes sense, coming from a life where you have to play your cards close to remain safe. Wolf brings us closer than most would. He doesn’t have to hide the dark side to remain dynamic, it’s always there. When Bruiser Wolf talks about women (example: Confusing) it’s not from a position of power like Too Short. He mourns not being able to trust, the constant mental motion Wolf does is to see all the angles and it takes effort. Trust gives you comfort and comfort is relief from all that effort. Every time Wolf stunts he leaves bread crumbs to the place where his comfort should be and isn’t. I know Michael Irvin listens to Bruiser Wolf.