Dax’s ‘Man I Used To Be’ Is An Unflinching Look In The Mirror

Dax, the Nigerian-Canadian artist known for his lyrical dexterity and rapid-fire delivery, has taken a sharp turn.

His latest single, “Man I Used To Be,” is a quiet storm, a country-tinged confessional that finds him trading his rap persona for something far more vulnerable.

Released after a self-imposed six-month hiatus from music until he was sober, the track is a powerful statement of intent.

It’s a song about shedding skin, about looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back, and about the difficult, often messy, process of becoming someone new.

The song opens with a simple, almost hesitant, guitar riff. It’s a sound that immediately signals a departure from the hard-hitting beats that have defined much of Dax’s career.

His voice, when it enters, is surprisingly gentle, tinged with a weariness that speaks to the battles he’s been fighting. “I’m half the man I used to be, it’s gon’ take some getting used to me,” he sings, and the line hangs in the air, a raw and honest admission of his transformation.

It’s a bold move for an artist who has built his career on confidence and bravado, but it’s a move that pays off, drawing the listener in with its unflinching honesty.

As the song unfolds, Dax paints a vivid picture of the man he used to be, a man burdened by “generational trauma, heartbreak, addiction.” He doesn’t shy away from the darkness of his past, but he doesn’t dwell on it either.

Instead, he uses it as a backdrop to highlight the profound changes he’s undergone. “Don’t ask the reason I changed, ask yourself why you stayed the same,” he challenges, and it’s a line that cuts deep, a powerful call for self-reflection and accountability.

This isn’t just a song about his own journey; it’s a song that speaks to anyone who has ever felt stuck, anyone who has ever yearned for a fresh start.

The production, handled by Nashville hitmaker Jimmy Robbins, is masterful in its subtlety. The sparse arrangement, with its gentle guitars and understated percussion, creates a sense of intimacy, making it feel as if Dax is speaking directly to the listener.

There are no flashy solos or over-the-top production tricks here. Just a man, his guitar, and his story.

It’s a testament to the power of simplicity, a reminder that sometimes the most profound statements are the ones that are whispered, not shouted.

“Man I Used To Be” is a song that will undoubtedly surprise many of Dax’s long-time fans. It’s a departure from his signature sound, a move into a new and uncharted territory.

But it’s a move that feels both natural and necessary. It’s the sound of an artist who is no longer afraid to be vulnerable, who is no longer afraid to show his scars. It’s the sound of an artist who is finally, and fully, himself.