Afro-Colombian artist Matthew Beachy, who performs under the name Lil Crush, has released his eagerly awaited album Reel Music. The expansive project spans 30 tracks and runs for 91 minutes, offering a sweeping journey through emotion, culture, and sound. Blending elements of hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, and experimental pop, Lil Crush crafts a genre-crossing record that reflects and celebrates his Afro-Colombian heritage.
Originally born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Beachy grew up between Bogotá, Colombia, and the United States. Performing since childhood, he first stepped onto a stage in Bogotá at the age of five. Now 25, Reel Music represents two decades of performing and artistic growth. Beachy first gained widespread attention in 2021 with the release of “Suni Lee,” a tribute to the Olympic gymnast that ultimately inspired a mural of both Beachy and Lee in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to his work as Lil Crush, Beachy also performs under the alter ego The Latin Prince and produces music for himself and THR333 (The Hardship Reveal 333), the experimental rock band he founded. After being signed to Minneapolis-based WEON Records from 2019 to 2022, he departed the label to launch his own creative platform, Planet Crush, a brand rooted in the same fearless creativity and emotional sincerity that define his work.
Reel Music serves as a showcase for the artistic identity Beachy has cultivated, bringing together the many personas and collaborators that shape his music. Each of the album’s 30 tracks lists contributors (including several of Beachy’s personas) with credits including Colombian Crush, THR333, The Latin Prince, Fa’id, BRIZO, and Beachy. Together, these collaborators expand the musical world of Lil Crush while maintaining a strong sense of emotional authenticity.
Among the many songs of Reel Music, several stand out. Many of the rock tracks on the record are listed as “Live,” and these songs all beg for a room of fans to be singing along. Opener “Meta gURL” arrives as a pop-punk anthem built for Lil Crush’s high-energy crowds. In the pre-chorus, Lil Crush boasts, “Comment section full of fellas thinking they can rescue her/But she gon’ go with me cuz she know that I ain’t regular,” a line that captures both the confidence and creative boldness driving the project. Meanwhile, the alt-rock track “Want U” begins with a subdued atmosphere before erupting into a fast-paced surge of soaring guitars and crashing cymbals. Tracks like these showcase the musicality and dynamic range Beachy so clearly exhibits.
Real Music also has many slower tracks, offering more intimate moments listed as “Acoustic” (when driven by acoustic guitar) or “Piano” (when driven by piano). “Fallin’” is a standout piano song infused with R&B influences. Its understated instrumentation highlights Lil Crush’s reflective lyrics as Beachy grapples with understanding a woman in his life. He shifts into Spanish for the second verse (performed under the persona Colombian Crush) which is a novel artistic decision that underscores the multicultural experience that have shaped Beachy’s life. Another gentle standout, “Agoostic,” centers on acoustic guitar, whose surprising bite adds emotional depth and drive to the song. These quieter tracks give Beachy space to shine as a lyricist and are some of the most emotionally powerful moments on the album’s extensive tracklist.
Ultimately, Reel Music is a tour de force in versatility and boundary-pushing, exemplary of Lil Crush’s signature approach to artistry. The album merges diverse genres and cultural influences into a cohesive and deeply human body of work. It reflects the expansive creative world Beachy has built through multiple personas, artistic ventures, and cross-cultural experiences – resulting in a dynamic and emotionally powerful album that mirrors the creative mind behind it.
“With Reel Music, Lil Crush isn’t just releasing an album, he’s unveiling a universe,” says music publicist Danielle Holian, Decent Music PR. “Thirty tracks, zero boundaries. He moves effortlessly between cultures, genres, and identities, and somehow makes it all feel cohesive, intentional, and deeply human. This project doesn’t chase trends; it sets its own frequency. Lil Crush is proving that evolution isn’t a phase for him, it’s the foundation.”
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