Steadily building his profile in recent years through collaborative efforts with fellow members of the Dreamville label headed by J. Cole, JID hasn’t put out a proper project of his own since back in 2018. Arguably the label’s most talented member – certainly, its most technically skilled – The Forever Story serves as a sequel … Continue reading JID – The Forever Story
Jazz Rap
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
A long five years after fully establishing himself as one of the biggest artists in the world and taking home a Pulitzer Prize for his album DAMN., Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar has returned with his most polarizing and controversial project yet. Split up into a double album for narrative purposes, Mr. Morale & The Big … Continue reading Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
Vince Staples – Vince Staples
With each new project, you can always trust Long Beach rapper Vince Staples to hit an engaging middle ground between delivering the classic grim, unfazed delivery and detailed street stories he rose to fame on and switching up the style or concept to something completely new. After moving from the hyperpop and dance-influenced Big Fish … Continue reading Vince Staples – Vince Staples
Mac Miller – Swimming
After taking a complete stylistic left turn on his previous album The Divine Feminine, Mac Miller returns two years later with a similar jazz-rap and funk sound that sees him singing more and taking the style even further into neo-soul territory. Dedicated to then-girlfriend Ariana Grande, Miller’s sudden metamorphosis from the goofy frat-rap persona into … Continue reading Mac Miller – Swimming
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 