Earl Sweatshirt - Feet Of Clay (R.I. Review)

Overview Earl Sweatshirt rose to fame as the infamous secret weapon from the rap collective, Odd Future. Feet Of Clay is different. The production is nearly drum-less and he ignores the tempo often. Even though it's an acquired taste musically, it's original, spoken-word inspired, and most importantly, it doesn't feel like hip hop. The instrumentals are some of the most abstract I've ever heard a rap on. It's much better than "Some Rap Songs" but it couldn't hold a candle to "Earl". "No regards for the bullsh*t". Earl has a very mature take on a lot of current events. This is the most cultured and sophisticated hip hop album released with it's prominence.
Defining Track
EAST is as political as the name implies. He questions everything in his life with an awareness higher than every genre's norm. It's hookless but is short enough to not leave you searching for one. It's a good song but would be far from anyone's favorite Earl song.
Final Thoughts
Earl pioneered a level of clout that lingers over this release. His vision of the world is much deeper than most and this is his most sophisticated release.

Post Malone - Hollywood's Bleeding (R.I. Review)

Overview
Post Malone is a singer-rapper from Grapevine, Texas. His style is melodic medium-paced hip hop with a hood dialect. As far as subject matter, this album is about pain and grandeur. Nearly all of his songs are catchy and memorable, yet they're pretty consistent in quality. His melodies evoke emotion, and they're non-predictable. There are a lot of strong rap collaborations, which he doesn't need to be authentically hood but they're there if you need it.
Defining Track
"Take What You Need" is a song about being used. It's well put together and the hip hop sampling in a sung song is fairly new. Post Malone has a believable delivery, but he isn't really pushing himself on this one. It's laid back and well executed.
Final Thoughts
All three Post Malone albums are at the same level of quality. He's consistently good, but a little non-eventful. If he had some interesting or comedic punchlines or referenced some current slang he could make a more exciting album. He's always good, but if you heard his other albums, you've basically heard this one.

Clout

Clout

YBN Cordae - The Lost Boy (R.I. Review)

Overview
YBN Cordae is a rapper from Raleigh California. He's an interesting mix stylistically. He's a solid lyricist that focuses on struggle and keeps his music "mid brow". It's simple and complex in a very moderate level like T.I.'s Paper Trail album. That's a solid move because it gives him a lot of fanbase flexibility. The only drawback to his message is he lacks a point. He isn't convicted about his life choices like a proud thug, and he spends a lot of his bars defending himself. If he really cares that much about the ethics of his choices, he should stop defending them.
Defining Track
His best song on this release is his track "Have Mercy". It was wildly successful from Lyrical Lemonade and the album sounds like it was the blueprint. He's extremely consistent. He has no lazy bars which is refreshing. On the other hand, he isn't innovating rap with anything creative or difficult either.
Final Thoughts
YBN is good. His come-up ethical struggle spirituality is nice because it puts him in the footsteps of hood leaders and activists, but it's hard to stand out with an angle that generic. He's talented enough to do something a little more creative and I await his sophomore drop.

https://youtu.be/Jua_BVw1kHY

https://youtu.be/Jua_BVw1kHY

Denzel Curry - Zuu

Overview

Denzel Curry has been rapping for a while. He was a XXL Freshman, he went viral wearing white face paint in a circus, and now he's rapping for his day ones. Denzel Curry is a talented lyricist. His punchlines are occasionally entertaining. He just seems like he's still finding himself. The suburban audiences weren't highly thrilled with the white face paint, but the hood hasn't really gravitated to him yet. With that said, Zuu is a solid album. I'm excited to see what he does in his sophomore album after he's been truly famous for a while because he has the skill, just not the focus.

Defining Track

Ricky is a song about remaining loyal to your hood. It's cool but it sounds like he's doing it because he feels obligated. He's also talking about not trusting girls which is a little generic, but maybe that's relatable.

Final Thoughts

Denzel Curry is so close. He needs 3% more intrigue; a little more demographic focus. He's got the talent, but this album isn't him. He'll get it right next time I'm sure because even this album is very well put together.

Rap Independent
Denzel Curry - Zuu
7/10

Nvdeem - Dearborn

Overview
Nvdeem is a rapper from Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn is very current straight forward hip hop. It's not revolutionary but it's solid skill-wise. Nvdeem has nice flows, interesting perspectives, and a few jokes. Dearborn is about his lifestyle. As a result, it's very raw. On the other hand, the imagery in the songs is so colorful, you almost feel like you're living the lifestyle with him. The instrumentals are good. The weakest part of this album is Nvdeem as a persona. He's very bland. In 2019, most rappers that make it are more interesting than the average rapper by image as well as sound.
Defining Track
"Dead Promises" features Bandgang Lonnie Bands. That's impressive because Lonnie is on the come up right now. It's a song that equates heart rate from partying to a heart health emotionally. It's creative and well-handled. It's also performance tempo.
Final Thoughts
Nvdeem is a good artist, but he needs a more interesting angle than "rapper from Dearborn". This is a solid introduction with a lot of promise, my only hope is that he lives up to it with his rap career.

Rap Independent
Nvdeem - Dearborn
6.9/10

Tyler, the Creator - Igor (R.I. Review)

Overview Tyler Okonma is from Ladera Heights, California. Igor feels like the continuation of 'SFFB". It has very little rap. In fact, it's so barely hip hop culture influenced, I can't see any of the hood even listening to it seriously. The issue is, I doubt Tyler, the Creator would even classify himself as a "singer". The best part of the music is the incredible production which is light years ahead of other rap albums in sophistication; however, it's so prominent and interesting, it outshines all the vocals and lyrics. It assimilates with indie bands that have no intention on making it and is the hip hop equivalent of that culture clamoring for high class instrumentation and abstraction. Kanye, Playboi, and Pharell have very muted verses. There aren't many collabs. The few raps are by far the high points of this album so it's disappointing how Kanye "Life of Pablo" he went on most of this album. Defining Track 'What's Good" is a song of venting; surprise, surprise; but it's good. The bass hits, the synths play, the weakest aspect is the message. This entire album seems kinda vague in the lyrics.
Final Thoughts
This album is not really hip hop, but it's not rnb. It's got a very mature, adult sound. He definitely seems to be appealing to intellectuals and sophisticated audiences that are underwhelmed with hip hop culture and sound. It would be nice to hear more rap and less altered, strained head-voice refrains. These are some of the best instrumentals he has ever created, but he really should consider making a collab album with Frank Ocean or Kali Uchis if he really wants to write melodic songs. The other aspects of his presentation like his performances, packaging, and connections will bring this album to life in the next Camp Flog Gnaw, but as an album you will be disappointed unless you listen to Tyler's music for the instrumentation.

Scarlxrd - 0000.Infinity

Overview
Scarlxrd is a rapper/screamer from Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. XXXTentacion pioneered hip hop with screamed breakdowns. Scarlxrd pushes it to the next level in every song on this album. His screamed vocals are slightly open-voiced like Oliver Sykes and are very reminiscent. He's not really the best rapper and it's not handled in a way that feels like hip hop culture. He has a couple nice flow patterns but without the breakdowns, it would be very mediocre. His presentation is fantastic. This release will definitely be remembered.
Defining Track
STFU is about being overwhelmed by critical opinions. It's upbeat; almost too upbeat. It feels like a party even though he's supposed to be angry. It's good, but it has a very narrow audience because they would need to be open-minded to rock and die-hard loyal to rap to get into it.
Final Thoughts
Scarlxrd is a very good artist. This album needs a little more variety and maybe a couple features but he's going to be very successful with his sound, look, and timing. Nice work, Scarlxrd.

Rap Independent
Scarlxrd - 0000.Infinity
9/10

Juice WRLD - Death Race For Love

Overview

JuiceWRLD is a singer/hip hop artist from Chicago Illinois. His name is a little strange, but his music doesn't connect to it at all. He sings over hip hop instrumentals in a style similar to Post Malone, but he's the opposite in his style and message. His delivery is extremely WHITE. That's politically incorrect but it's the only way to do his presentation justice. The blond dreads, the subject matter, the music video affiliates; he's going really far. Time will tell if his style is reciprocated with the fan loyalty of Tyler, or even Wiz Khalifa, but he's all in.
Defining Track
Robbery is about an unrequited romance. The song is good, but the girl in it doesn't sound like she's into him as much as he's into her; but again that's a slight emo tortured-soul motif that gives his punk style more authenticity.
Final Thoughts
His delivery is definitely his selling feature. If he were to sing like Post Malone, he would have made it nowhere with his music. That's not to say it isn't good though, he just needs a little more flair. He's almost believable as a mac, he's almost successfully crossing over with his audience, he's almost impressive on every song. Definitely going to be on the lookout for his sophomore drop. Congratulations Juice.

Rap Independent
JuiceWRLD - Death Race For Love
7.8/10