Deante’ Hitchcock Just Dropped a Pop Track, and Honestly? It Works Perfectly.
If you’ve been paying attention to Atlanta’s music scene over the last few years, you already know Deante’ Hitchcock doesn’t really miss. The Riverdale native built his reputation on crazy freestyle verses, sharp storytelling, and the kind of stage presence that requires a full live band to back him up.
But with his new single, “Gotta Be More” Hitchcock is doing something a little different. He’s stepping right into the pop lane—and before anyone panics about a rapper “going mainstream,” let’s clear it up: he didn’t lose his edge.
Instead, he managed to make a massive, radio-friendly record without sacrificing the thoughtful, grounded writing that made people fall in love with him in the first place.
From Riverdale to Major-Label Status
To understand why “Gotta Be More” feels like such a pivot, you have to look at how Hitchcock got here. He didn’t just pop up overnight. He put in years of work, building a fanbase through raw video uploads and independent tapes before signing his major-label deal.
Since then, he’s dropped two stellar full-lengths:
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Better (2020): The official arrival. A deeply personal debut that proved he could hang with the best in the industry.
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Once Upon a Time (2023): A concept-driven record that leaned heavily into his strengths as a classic Southern songwriter.
He’s always had the flexibility to jump from heavy rap bars to melodic hooks, which is why a full-blown pop track feels like a natural next step rather than a forced gimmick.
The Vibe of “Gotta Be More”
So, what does it actually sound like?
“Gotta Be More” is built around an incredibly infectious melody, but the lyrics still carry that signature Hitchcock weight. He’s tackling the usual suspects—ambition, relationships, and the constant mental grind of wanting bigger things—but delivering them over a smooth, crossover production that hits perfectly.
“Yeah, it gotta be more to this life…”
It’s the kind of song that works just as well in a late-night car ride as it does on a massive festival stage. Day-one fans will still catch the clever wordplay, while newer listeners will just enjoy the groove.
Where to Start with His Catalog
If “Gotta Be More” is your introduction to Deante’ Hitchcock, you’ve got some catching up to do. Here’s a quick roadmap of his main projects so far:
| Album | Year | What to Expect |
| Better | 2020 | Soulful beats, honest lyrics, great features. |
| Once Upon a Time | 2023 | Cinematic, narrative-focused Southern rap. |
| Junkie in The Sun | 2026 | Boundary-pushing, experimental sounds. |
The Verdict
The music industry loves to put artists in a box, but Deante’ Hitchcock has pretty much made a career out of breaking out of them. “Gotta Be More” isn’t a sign that he’s abandoning his hip-hop roots; it’s proof that he can take his songwriting and apply it to literally any genre he wants.
