Following Mereba’s 2019 solo debut, The Jungle Is the Only Way Out, and 2020’s Spilligion as part of the Spillage Village supergroup, her perspective was shifted by the birth of her son. The Breeze Grew a Fire honors her role as maternal figure while leaving room for her to examine her own place in the world. On the album, Mereba, who cut her teeth in Atlanta’s underground scene, creates uplifting anthems of triumph and perseverance. Opener “Counterfeit” has her rapping over a sugary synth melody and shuffling drums. The chorus explodes as she sings, “You’re the original/Don’t let ’em counterfeit you.” She takes this advice to heart, embracing a number of genres and unexpected detours on The Breeze Grew a Fire. “White Doves” hearkens back to the neo-R&B of D’Angelo and The Soulquarians, while “Meteorite” skips and shuffles alongside a lo-fi rap beat.