West Coast rhymer is back with his first album in three years.
Vince Staples has been a huge voice missing in hip-hop over the past few years. His fourth studio album, Vince Staples, ended his three-year hiatus this weekend, as the Long Beach native teams up with frequent collaborator Kenny Beats for Staples’ long-awaited return.
He last full-length project was in November 2018 with FM!. Since then, he has only released a few singles, “So What?,” “Sheet Music” and “Hell Bound,” for his YouTube show “The Vince Staples Show” in 2019. Along with that he featured on Amine’s, Dreamville’s and Reason’s albums in 2020 with hard-hitting, electrifying verses, reminding hip-hop fans what he brings to the table.
In June, he announced the first single “LAW OF AVERAGES” off his self-titled album, along with the eventual cover art for the project.
“LAW OF AVERAGES” dropped June 18, and showed a level of self-awareness and poise from Vince that certainly proves his artistic growth.
Along with this drop he changed his username on Twitter to ‘VINCE STAPLES JULY 9th’ to let his fans know the new album’s release date.
Two weeks later, July 2, Staples posted on Instagram an official announcement of the album’s tracklist only containing ten songs.
Vince Staples‘ first song “ARE YOU WITH THAT?” was released as the second single on Tuesday, July 6. It continues to follow the mellow, laid-back vibe of the previous single. Perhaps Staples is using these two tracks to establish an atmosphere unlike any other project he has released, as “ARE YOU WITH THAT?” still contains austere, vicious lyricism from Vince that he is known for, but less fiery production with the album being executively produced by Kenny Beats.
The album’s only feature is Fousheé, who is a rising New York soul singer whose vocals have been used as a sample for recent drill hits like “Deep End Freestyle” by Sleepy Hallow and “Rolando (Caught In The Rain)” by DUSTY LOCANE.
On July 7, Vince Staples paid a visit to the L.A. Leakers radio show, where recently J. Cole, Polo G and Migos have excelled, to do a freestyle. He delivers wildly impressive, thought-provoking and consistent bars all throughout the freestyle, looking comfortable and confident in the moment.
Rappers make me sick to my stomach
We glorify who die and demonize the n****s who done it
I thought we was thuggin’
“L.A. Leakers Freestyle 114” — Vince Staples
We can be reassured that no matter what, Vince Staples will be giving us bars on this album. His self-titled project could be a change of pace in terms of sound, however, classic Vince is still a ‘Staple’ in the rap game.
