In China’s rap underground, DengDianGuo DDG’s name rings loud and clear. Hailed as a founding member of Chengdu Corp (CDC)—the southwestern city’s notorious hip-hop collective—he’s a seasoned MC whose style has shaped the sound of his hometown. DDG’s music is unique among his peers, due in part to his history. Using the alias Free T, he cut his teeth in 2012 on CDC’s culture-defining Hit Dat Mixtape. But just as Chinese hip-hop was gaining momentum, DDG left to pursue his studies in France. Although his presence briefly faded, his decision proved to be critical. He immersed himself in an ecosystem of international hip-hop, and new sounds and ideas enriched his style and sharpened his craft. Then—as if by fate—his return home in 2017 coincided with hip-hop’s burst into the Chinese mainstream. Fuelled by his overseas experience, DDG’s efforts since homecoming have solidified his position as a pioneer of China’s trap and drill scenes. He flexes over a versatile output, including dance-ready numbers on Ty.’s Social War (2019) and the athletic, bass-boosted lyricism on his own ALL I DO IS DRILLING (2021). On Panda Express, the veteran clearly shows no signs of slowing down. True to its name, the album dices rap and pop textures in a fusion of Eastern and Western sounds. Inspired conceptually by the restaurant chain’s modification of Chinese cuisine, DDG broils trap music flavours in a fiery Sichuanese dialect—a unique local highlight marked by in rising and falling vocal tones. Tracks like “READY2FIGHT” balance triplet-heavy flows over chopped Eastern soundscapes; “Can’t Stop” strings melodic lines over a club thumper. With assists from an all-star team of Chengdu’s finest MC’s—including Higher Brothers’ KnowKnow and CDC’s Ty. and Mengzi—DDG serves up a distinctively Sichuanese brand of hip-hop that’s sure to satisfy new listeners and die-hard fans alike.