Rising





Rising is the debut album from 12Digits released under the Live Free imprint. Executively produced by Mike Barkhoff and Norff, the album spans 10 tracks - one of which being a skit featuring Barkhoff - and was released August 29th, 2021.

Production
After 12 Interlude became the top streamed track off of Norf, Barkhoff suggested that 12Digits, then working on Rising at an EP level, expand it to be an album. 12Digits had already completed five songs, and a single was chosen with Grind.

12Digits turned in the album in the later weeks of July and it received Barkhoff's sign for approval. Barkhoff, having suggested the idea to colleagues in his hometown and neighboring hometowns, wanted to do something historical and make a musician's debut album be a visual album. Upon hearing Rising, Barkhoff understood 12Digits' longing for success and took to it, writing down a film to play alongside the album.

The Film Accompaniment
In the film Rising, Mike Barkhoff portrays Elliot Aaron's, a man trying to be a professional competitive runner who has recently been struck with alcoholism and trying to recover.

Elliot practices his running, seemingly to no avail, and reflects on why he began running - chasing an ex-girlfriend who left him, literally. He gets contacted from his friend who suggests setting up a meeting with a coach the friend is contacts with and does that.

As he practices to meet the coach, he reflects on his life. He continues to struggle with procrastination and alcoholism, especially when he continues getting cold reactions from the press in email form. He then reflects on his day job that he longs to stay away from. He begins to go to therapy only to be told to "Man Up". Years pass before he accomplishes his dreams, but he still feels cheated by the system because the one thing he wanted out of it, reconciliation with the ex-girlfriend, is nowhere to be found.

Production On Film
Barkhoff made every track be as unique as possible for it's music video. Nono is opening credits, Order features a comic book strip, Homie uses text messages appearing on screen, Blow uses sped up film, About Life was done on a smart phone, Man Up is a white board 'animation', and Respect serves as closing credits.

Tracks

 * 1) Nono (ft. 69ERRAS)
 * 2) Order (ft. 69ERRAS and Gee Mak)
 * 3) Homie (ft. Norff)
 * 4) Mike Calls 12 (Skit) - ft. Mike Barkhoff
 * 5) Grind (ft. 69ERRAS)
 * 6) Blow (ft. 69ERRAS)
 * 7) About Life
 * 8) Man Up (ft. 69ERRAS)
 * 9) Fame (ft. Norff)
 * 10) Respect (ft. 69ERRAS)
 * 11) 11. 12 Calls Mike (Skit)*
 * 12) Bang (ft. Gee Mak and 69ERRAS)*

* are tracks from the Deluxe Version

Reception
The album was met with critical acclaim, with many considering it unique and skilled. Many considered it a very considerable debut album. The film, released alongside it, was hailed for its ability to combine wordplay with imagery. 12Digits' album has been described by many music critics online as one of the best unknown up-and-coming rapper's debut albums released in 2021. It garnered a little less than 20,000 streams in its first three months on Spotify.