In my review of Gunna’s last project, I called him the member of his class of uninspired and formulaic trap stars that showed the most promise and potential. With his latest release, he’s seen fit to prove me wrong in extreme fashion – but not dramatic fashion, because DS4EVER might be one of the sleepiest … Continue reading Gunna – DS4EVER
Hip Hop
Roddy Ricch – LIVE LIFE FAST
After exploding overnight to kick off 2020 with a bevy of big hits, Roddy Ricch is trying to do the same again with another late-year drop two years later. While his debut was so widely celebrated that it generated a meme about having “no skips,” Ricch’s status has seemingly dimmed a bit since then after … Continue reading Roddy Ricch – LIVE LIFE FAST
Rick Ross – Richer Than I Ever Been
15 years and 11 albums into his career, there’s not a lot that Rick Ross can do anymore that’s going to be new or surprising. Still, he’s arguably built up one of hip-hop’s strongest and most reliable brands, and he delivers more of what people are expecting on his latest project. With a litany of … Continue reading Rick Ross – Richer Than I Ever Been
Juice WRLD – Fighting Demons
As the somewhat stomach-churning trend continues, it’s becoming harder and harder to justify reviewing posthumous projects and giving them the time of day at all. After downright disrespectful compilations from the likes of Pop Smoke and XXXTENTACION in recent memory, the label cobbling together snippets with a litany of guests to build it out, by … Continue reading Juice WRLD – Fighting Demons
Polo G – Hall of Fame 2.0
After topping the charts for the first time last summer with Hall of Fame, Chicago rapper Polo G returns once again with a sequel to the project that elevated him to the level of today’s hip-hop elite. As far as trendy trap stars go, Polo G is often one of the finest, sometimes shifting into … Continue reading Polo G – Hall of Fame 2.0
Megan Thee Stallion – Something For Thee Hotties
Continuing a torrid release pace, Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion delivers a thank you to her dedicated fanbase – in the form of some highly requested freestyles and outtakes from over the years – just under a year after dropping her debut studio album. While many of these tracks feel a little incomplete – the … Continue reading Megan Thee Stallion – Something For Thee Hotties
Wale – Folarin II
Entering hip-hop veteran status and his popularity somewhat dimmed from his mid-2010s peak, Maybach Music rapper Wale has continued to impress with his technical abilities and assertive, straightforward delivery. Returning with the sequel to a breakout 2012 mixtape, now getting full album treatment, Folarin II is Wale’s seventh studio album, mostly continuing down the same … Continue reading Wale – Folarin II
Young Thug – Punk
While his influence on the rap game cannot be understated, Young Thug can be so eccentric and off-the-wall with his ideas and vocal inflections at times that he lapses into inconsistency. As he releases his second project of the year, it seems that he saved all of his best ideas for the hard-hitting and undeniably … Continue reading Young Thug – Punk
Don Toliver – Life of a DON
A signee to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, psychedelic melodic rapper and singer Don Toliver continues to capitalize on his momentum by releasing his sophomore project only about a year and a half removed from his inconsistent debut, Heaven or Hell. While so many are drawn to Don for his completely distinctive and downright infectious … Continue reading Don Toliver – Life of a DON
Meek Mill – Expensive Pain
After taking an uncharacteristically lengthy three-year break, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill returns with his fifth studio album – although, not much has changed in the interim. Meek has one of the game’s most reliable and instantly recognizable skillsets in that electrifying and piercing yelp of a vocal delivery, capable of elevating any uptempo trap banger … Continue reading Meek Mill – Expensive Pain
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 