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 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.
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.
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
Denzel Curry - Zuu
7/10
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
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.
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