Vince Staples is a 21 year old West Coast emcee, he made waves with his Stolen Youth mixtape and now with his fourth official mixtape Shyne Goldchain Vol. 2 he seems to be only getting bigger and bigger. I heard some of Stolen Youth and some features and thought this guy was pretty decent but Nobody's Smiling made me check him out in particular. Because a cosign from Common, means just that much (unless you're Big Sean). It's only ten tracks with two guest features. This could be a very good way to set up a young MC by showcasing his skills in a solo manner. He's even got No I.D. on production. So, Let's check it out.
Progressive 3
It's like one of those "i'm back! when i wasn't really gone!" type of intro tracks. It's decent though. Beats spaced out, kinda sounds like experimental drug type a shit.
Locked & Loaded
Lock and load and I'm ready to go
i musta zoned out because i never notice this song chance. Even in relistens. It is a pretty good follow up though, as you can tell, he's lockin' and loadin' the guns bruh. Shout out to WC and Mack 10.
Humble
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you and fuck you
Not the best hook i've heard...this is the opposite of the title. Vince states he isn't humble and takes shots at people who despised growing up. Despite the goofy hook it's well done.
45
Wonder what the 45 could be? Could it be...a gun!? Why yes it is. Vince says fuck the world and he's given up all hope on it. Vince breaks down why he's in such despair decently, but i feel it could be better done. i'd like a song like this to be much rawer when a person has no hope in life and is ready to die. (see: Suicidal Thoughts by The Notorious B.I.G)
Oh You Scared feat. Jhene Aiko
Ay, Jhene's back. This goes into details a bit better than 45 did. Staples describes his piss poor situation a bit better. This time the song revolves around fear.
Trunk Rattle
My momma cried the day I got put on the hood, Never wished for better days, only wished a nigga would There's a Common reference in the end of the song, so the plot thickens a tad. I like this beat a lot in particular. the last few didn't feel unique enough to have their own personality, Dilated Peoples did some good work on this one.
Nate feat. James Fauntleroy
As a kid all I wanted was to kill a man, Be like my daddy's friends, hopping out that minivan
Now this is something right here. Vince recalls his father's drug dealing days and it's influence on him. This is what i was talkin' about earlier with the specifications of his upbringing and why he's lost. It comes together much better now and helps the past tracks as well. This was the only single and i can see why.
Turn
Vince don't give a fuck doe. He sounds more accepting of his environment and his problems. No I.D. back on set. This feels like a follow up to Nate.
Shots
Vince is thuggin' in this, reppin' crips. I don't give too much of a shit about this. At this point i was hoping he'd do something a little different with the material, he's repeating himself a bit now. I was bored as hell throughout this.
Earth Science
Vince shows off some regret for a way he handled a romantic situation. Thank the fuckin' heavens he switched up the topic. He handles the former relationship rather maturely. it's not a bad finish.
The Highlights:
Nate
Locked & Loaded
Oh You Scared
The Lowlight:
Shots
The Gem:
Turn
Is it Worth a Listen?
Vince Staples is a dope young rapper. He has a lot to learn but that's not to discredit him. He just feels like he's repeating himself after awhile and that we've already learned all we need to know a few tracks in, until Nate where he really describes what's on his mind. I'd recommend it though, it's by no means bad. it's very consistent if anything.
Overall Grade: C+
Until Next Time, One Love.
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