Ethan Campuzano leads a powerhouse lineup in “My Dear Friend,” a heartfelt song reminding listeners of their inner strength and blessings.
The first time Ethan Campuzano heard the final version of “My Dear Friend,” he didn’t just listen, he felt it.
In a quiet moment after the studio session, the Inglewood-born rapper sat with the playback running on loop. A simple, stripped guitar line faded in, followed by the emotional punch of introspective verses delivered by him and his peers, roonraps, liltots, coolRaf, and Kyle James.
This wasn’t just another track. It was a message, a lifeline, a reminder.
After listening closely to the full track from start to finish, it becomes clear that “My Dear Friend” is intentionally paced and emotionally structured. The stripped-back guitar, the breathing room between verses, and the way each voice enters feels deliberate—allowing the weight of each story to land before the next begins. It’s a song that rewards attentive listening, revealing more emotional depth with each replay.
“This song is for anyone who’s ever been trapped in their own head, feeling like they’re not enough, when the truth is, they’ve always been more than enough,” Ethan shares. “It’s a letter of hope for people fighting silent battles.”
My Dear Friend: A Collective Message of Hope
My Dear Friend is a song that myself (Ethan Campuzano), roonraps, liltots, coolRaf, and Kyle James have made to help people who are struggling with internal conflict and also for those who sometimes can’t see how blessed they truly are. This song, releasing on January 15, 2026, isn’t just about the music; it’s about the message.
We all face battles that nobody sees. Silent anxieties. Doubts we bury. Hope we’re afraid to hold onto. My Dear Friend is a reminder that those feelings are real, but so is the strength inside you to keep going.
Ethan and his collaborators approached this song with one shared intention: to give listeners something that feels like a hand on the shoulder, a warm reminder that they are not alone. It’s music created from the heart, for the heart.
From Personal Pain to Collective Purpose
Ethan Campuzano is no stranger to vulnerability. Raised in the cultural heart of Inglewood, California, the 26-year-old hip-hop and pop artist built his music career not on bravado, but on emotional honesty. Inspired by artists like Eminem and Russ, his songs are journal entries in rhythm—raw, real, and rich with self-reflection.
With My Dear Friend, Ethan brought together a collective of like-minded artists who share his vision of making music that uplifts rather than simply entertains. The track is a genre-bending blend of hip-hop and melodic pop. It weaves together five unique voices, each offering their own take on the inner struggles we all face: comparison, self-doubt, emotional numbness, and losing sight of how far we’ve come.
Instead of burying those emotions, My Dear Friend brings them to the surface, and then answers them with light.
A Collaborative Anthem That Feels Like a Hug
Listening to “My Dear Friend” as a complete piece, rather than as individual verses, reveals how carefully the song is constructed. Each artist’s contribution feels placed with intention, creating an emotional arc that builds, releases, and ultimately reassures the listener.
Each verse of My Dear Friend feels like a conversation with someone who truly sees you.
Liltots opens the track with raw vulnerability, reflecting on early struggles, loss, and the quiet isolation of trying to prove himself in a world that felt stacked against him. His verse reads like a snapshot of youth marked by ambition, heartbreak, and moments of realization that arrive too late. Watching friends disappear and dreams blur into uncertainty, liltots captures the emotional weight of growing up too fast and learning hard lessons alone.
CoolRaf follows with a grounded yet conflicted perspective, balancing ambition, faith, and self-awareness. His verse wrestles openly with identity — scars from past relationships, watching others move ahead, and the pressure of being someone others now look up to. Anchored by gratitude and belief, CoolRaf’s words reflect resilience and responsibility, offering stability while acknowledging the ongoing search for purpose.
Roonraps brings sharp honesty about the cost of the grind, touching on ambition, sacrifice, and emotional exhaustion. While building momentum and stacking success, he reflects on relationships lost along the way and the quiet weight of always pushing forward. Grounded by love for his mother, Roon’s verse reminds listeners that behind every win is a human still navigating pain and pressure.
Ethan Campuzano’s verses serve as the emotional backbone of the song, openly reflecting on growing up underestimated, feeling discarded, and transforming doubt into determination. His introspective delivery mirrors the questions posed in the chorus — especially the struggle to recognize grace while moving forward. Ethan doesn’t position himself as a guide above the listener, but as someone walking alongside them.
Kyle James closes the song with spiritual clarity and resolve. His verse feels like a late-night prayer — acknowledging unseen internal battles, misunderstanding, and the choice to persevere anyway. When he urges listeners to stay strong and keep hanging on, it feels earned. His words provide the song’s emotional release, leaving listeners with reassurance rather than despair.
“This wasn’t about trying to outshine each other. It was about creating something together that could help someone out there feel seen,” Ethan says.
The message is simple but powerful: You are not alone, even when it feels like it.
Why This Track Matters Now
In a world of viral singles and short-lived trends, My Dear Friend is a standout. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s real. At a time when mental health is becoming an urgent conversation in music culture, this track doesn’t just name the struggle, it offers peace.
Ethan knows that words matter. As someone who has openly battled his own mental roadblocks, he treats music as a kind of medicine. Every lyric is written with intention. Every line has weight. His mission isn’t just to make hits, it’s to make healing mainstream.
“Music saved my life, so now I want my music to save someone else’s, or at least remind them they matter,” Ethan says.
A Rising Star With a Rooted Vision
Ethan Campuzano’s story is one of evolution. From his early days navigating self-doubt to now leading collaborations that spark hope, he has always prioritized meaning over metrics. His previous songs like “I Survived” and “Hope Is Here” earned attention for their emotional resonance, and My Dear Friend is the natural next step in that artistic journey.
Unlike many emerging artists chasing trends, Ethan has stayed true to his core message: you can overcome anything if you don’t give up on yourself.
He’s not alone, either. With co-creators like roonraps, liltots, coolRaf, and Kyle James, this isn’t just a single, it’s the start of a movement. Together, they’re showing that collaboration can be a tool for collective healing.
Where to Listen and Follow the Journey
My Dear Friend officially releases on January 15, 2026 across all streaming platforms. Be among the first to hear it and follow these artists below:
Ethan Campuzano on Spotify
RoonRaps on Spotify
Lil Tots on Spotify
coolRaf on Spotify
Kyle James on Spotify
A Song for the Listener Who Needs to Hear: “You’re Not Alone”
Ethan Campuzano’s My Dear Friend is more than a track, it’s a letter to the weary, an anthem for the hopeful, and a promise that you are enough.
So if you’re struggling, press play. And if you’re not, send it to someone who is.
Because sometimes, music is the friend we didn’t know we needed.