Milwaukee-born rapper Alan Ward continues his steady grind with the release of his latest EP, Overthinkin, which dropped just two days ago on August 30th. Teaming up with producer Maestro Styles, Ward delivers a four-track project that showcases his signature blend of old-school lyricism and modern production sensibilities.

The standout track “Chain Swang” finds Ward doing what he does best—stacking bars with the kind of sharp wit and raw honesty that first put him on Radio Milwaukee’s radar back in 2021. The track moves at an uptempo clip, driven by a bouncy rhythm that sits comfortably in the pocket between head-nodding hip-hop and something you might actually catch yourself moving to at the function. Despite the energy, there’s a brooding undercurrent to the production—those minor-key textures and that low-slung valence give it a contemplative edge that matches the EP’s introspective title.

Ward’s delivery is dense with wordplay, leaning heavily into that speechy, conversational flow he’s cultivated over the years. It’s the kind of rap that rewards close listening, where the punchlines reveal themselves on the second or third spin.

Now based in Baltimore but forever repping those Milwaukee roots, Alan Ward remains one of the more slept-on MCs to emerge from the Midwest. If you’ve been following his journey from Basket of Raps to now, Overthinkin feels like another step forward for an artist who refuses to compromise his vision.

Stream “Overthinkin” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5rA7gkXtunjAkG8VdgQN95