I f you ever missed real rap in the past couple years than look no further. The Dreamers decided to come into the game and just spazz on every single song. With J. Cole as the head of your label/group there’s not much you have to worry about. He is very level headed and has always just cared about making, creating, and producing great music. We can look back on his career and start with his breakout song. However, that would not do him justice, he is more than the rapper that supposedly “Let Nas Down” in the past. He has always kept a mystique about him, but we still respected his lyricism and his ability to spit bars when he wanted to. The music seemed not to connect but he pushed through and persevered to this album and I’m not disappointed one bit.
This journey has been one that started more than a decade ago. In 2007 Cole began his dream at St John’s which has been well documented. With his friend and the president of Dreamville Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad they created something special that is recognized around the globe. It would be 7 years later that they would collaborate with Interscope Records and began to put out projects with Dreamville in the title. On January 28, 2014 Cole revealed the signing of Queens native rapper Bas at MSG. Those in attendance received a flyer for the first “Revenge of the Dreamers” project which was a mixtape. Later on that year in June, West Coast artist Cozz was signed to the label as well. Although Omen may have been affiliated with Dreamville since 2009, he did not sign with them until his debut album came out. 2015 was a big year for the group as not only did Omen release his project but the second “Revenge of the Dreamers” album was released. Along with that came two other signings, Lute and Ari Lennox were now part of the roster. Everyone on Dreamville is super talented and deserves all the credit for putting out amazing music in such a short span. Cole has an eye for talent and it’s so easy to see with his last two signings. Earthgang, a duo that has been making waves for a minute was added to Dreamville in 2017. Not only did he sign the duo, he signed arguably the best rapper of 2019 J.I.D. In such a short span (JID) as he is also know as, has been making headlines simply for his ability to rap. A form that was thought to be lost is found in a young rapper from a rapper who sounds hungry and is trying to be the best at what he does. I’ve had my fair share to say about rapping fast in 2019, but J.I.D sounds cool doing it, it doesn't seem forced or like he is trying to impress any, he just wants to rap.
These are the two projects that were put out by Dreamville one in 2014 the other in 2015. All three projects have something in common, they showcase the skills of every single person in the group. The first album gives you a taste and a look at how each individual contributes to the record. They each have their own track, not as cohesive as the second project but they are simply showcasing their talent. We were aware of J. Cole but maybe some people were not familiar with the other members, so this is a perfect way to introduce the audience. The second album has a mellow vibe to it, and it flows a little smoother, (not just because of Ari Lennox’s voice) but as a whole it’s more cohesive. The same factors are applied in this project as it was in the first one. Each artist is given ample amount of time to just do what they do best. They again each have a track that they rap on and give you what they are capable of which of course is more than enough. Listening to it again now makes me regret not truly giving it the time of day I should have when it first came out.
ALBUM REVIEW
Track 1 begins with a sample called “I’ll be waiting for you” by the Argo Singers. It then slowly fades out into a bass heavy beat and the leader of Dreamville starts rapping. On more than one occasion we will see Cole rap like he’s just starting out. Multiple times he told us that he just wants to rap and be judged by that so we will honor his wishes and keep it strictly to the bars. Next up we have Lute who has been on Dreamville for a minute and continues the same tempo, speed and delivery like Cole which while giving us his story. By the end I wanted to hear him rap some more especially since I’ve known about him for a while but never went out of my way to listen. Lastly, we have Da Baby come in with a verse. This may be surprising to some, but Da Baby is from North Carolina like J. Cole is, so in reality the feature is fitting. The only reason I was shocked is because throughout the song Kendrick Lamar is on the hook. I was waiting for a verse from him but not surprised we did not get one. Originally, we weren’t even supposed to get a hook from Kendrick. According to Ibrahim Kendrick just came to listen but ended up getting on the mic which is perfectly fine.
Track 2 is a track we previously heard as it came out with one more but nonetheless it stands out. Remember when I told you how good J.I.D was? This is just the first glimpse of what’s left to come. JID does what he does best, giving you lyrical content while rapping so well I started counting how many breaths he took. At the end of the verse it seems like he doesn't need to breath and he in fact an alien. Not only is he the second verse, he also did the hook for the song. The first song I heard by Bas was not as fast paced and did not involve as much rapping as this did so I was pleasantly surprised to hear him go off on this track. Cole comes in like the “Head Honcho” he said he was and once again puts himself up for best rapper of this generation. Earthgang & Young Nudy do an awesome job of both starting and ending the track. This was straight bars, no ifs ands or buts about it.
Track 3 is one of my favorites on this album for 2 reasons! (No pun intended)
Reason 1, I’ve been trying to tell people how dope both Cozz and Reason were for a minute now. It’s dope to see two Cali artists on the same track having fun and going back and forth. As a Slaughterhouse fan, trading bars is one of my favorite parts of rap. These two younger artists do it very well and that leads me to the second reason.
Reason 2, The fact that they talk about robbing Cole at the end of the song is hilarious. They speak about Cole pulling up in a “Lambo Truck”, hence the title and how Reason wants to rob him cause his pockets been hurting. In the end they make a deal. You just have to listen to the song to figure out what the resolution is. It was cool to hear another TDE artist on the track that isn’t Kendrick rap with them. Hopefully we get a TDE album like this as well and it’s this dope too.
Lastly the other amazing this about this song is Cole’s reaction to Reason and Cozz rapping about robbing him.
Track 4 is a more mellow one from the first couple track which is good and keeps balance on the album. It’s dope to hear people going on a lyrical onslaught but when you have multiple talented artists you have to spread the love. This goes back to what I said about the first to “Revenge of the Dreamers” albums, everyone gets a chance. Their all showcasing what they can do and it’s Earthgang’s turn.
Track 5 is a mixture between the two. J. Cole raps on a slower beat with little to no beat. It brings me back to Friday Night Lights Cole a little bit or even Born Sinner where this is what he was known for. Him changing beat selections is resent but it’s been a pleasant change. The second half of the beat is a guest that I certainly didn’t see coming. Maxo Kream is featured on the beat change and talks his shit on the record. Straight guns, grimy shit, and trap houses which is what he does well and
Ari Lennox’s voice is so calming on Track 6 that I got excited just hearing it before the track even started. In great fashion they know how to divide the songs up as I mentioned before. This track still gives us rappers spitting bars one after the other in a laid back, sort of relaxing rap song.
Track 7 is arguably my favorite track just for the chorus along. This song is going to go hard at the Dreamville concert and will be a dope moment for every single show they do. They continue the theme of robbing people this time it’s a whole God Damn bank so J. Cole must be relieved. I mentioned before the problem with rapping fast in 2019 but here i don’t mind it at all. Once again JID and company spit bars in a cool dope way. Maybe it’s because their fresh but it’s something about the way they do it that is enticing and sounds cool.
Track 8 finally gives us Omen he wastes no bars and gives us a dope verse that proves his lyricism and why he was on Cole’s radar for so long. The beat compliments them instead of the other way around. It’s also a theme for the whole project as the words is what is most important.
Hearing Ari Lennox on Track 9 made me want both a SZA, Ari collab and a SZA vs Ari battle at the same time. Their beat styles in my opinion are similar enough that they could produce a great joint album. However, I want to hear both of them at their best. We keep talking about rap battles, but I would love to hear someone sing to someone else that they ain’t shit instead of rapping it to them for once. I think that would be dope.
Track 10 sounds like it picks up where the previous one left off. Slower more sultry beat that matches the content of the song. J.I.D raps about many girls that he’s been with. Then T.I. cuts him off and he continues to spit about the same topic. It’s dope to hear an OG rap with a younger artist and still sound great and not out of place. T.I. did this on his last album as well but it should be something we see a lot in rap and less division.
We’re back to the shits on Track 11. With an acoustic guitar strumming we here it’s sort of like the “Woah” remix by Black Rob. Eight rappers getting a turn on the mic and spitting how they choose. The one feature that stood out (no it’s not JID) it was actually Ski Mask The Slump God. It’s been a minute since I heard from him and he is very talented, so it was cool hearing him again. Even my homie Rob was shocked when we bumped this album.
After a couple tracks without Cole he comes back with a 90’s beat which fits the title “1993” on Track 12. This was one of the tracks that made me happy listening to this album. It’s just rappers rapping their having fun spitting bars and proving to others that they are better than them and should not be fucked with. Cole’s verse is cut off as everyone else's is as well and it’s a hilarious moment each time.
Track 13 is one Griselda could be featured on, if you know Griselda you know how grimy their beats are. This one is exactly the one you listen to when you’re about to commit a crime in stealth mode. It’s very dark but that makes you want to listen to it more. The chorus is dope because JID’s voice is altered to be deeper and it’s simply perfect to put it anyway. You think the track ends with a gun being fired then Vince Staples has a verse out of nowhere. This album is full of features that come out of nowhere and each one makes you want to hear that person more. The song finally ends with another gun fire this time for re…
Track 14 is what I was talking about earlier when I say Cole is on beats he wouldn’t normally be on. This sounds like something the Migos or maybe Gunna might use. Jermaine has learned how to flow on tracks like this very well. He has become very well versed in hooks.
More people are featured on Track 15 and Ty Dolla $ign is known to kill everything he is on. Him and Ari Lennox sound amazing together, and so do Omen and Dreezy. She is underrated as a rapper in general talking dirty but in such a sexy way that it gets a pass.
Track 16 is arguably what started it all. “Middle Child” was released by Cole months ago and this is when we knew something was coming. He said he wasn’t playing anymore, and he disses rappers like Kanye which is obvious. Shots are also sent at some of the younger rappers because they aren’t as nice as Cole.
I was low-key mad I didn’t hear Rapsody on this album because she too is from North Carolina and should be on here. It is also the type of beat she would destroy and do amazing on but Track 17 was my least favorite track on the whole album. It isn’t bad it just wasn’t as good as the rest.
Track 18 is a somber track that is sung beautifully by Johnny Venus and rapped well by Cole of course. He mentions that he has another son on the song as well. Congrats to Jermaine for adding to his family and for producing a dope album.
SCORE
STANDOUT TRACKS
- “DOWN BAD” (Feat. J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, Earthgang & Young Nudy)
- “LMABOTRUCK” (Feat. Cozz, Reason & Childish Major)
- “WELLS FARGO” (Feat. J.I.D, Earthgang, Buddy, Guapdad 4000)
- “1993” (Feat. Buddy, Smino, Cozz, Earthgang, J.I.D & J. Cole)
- “GOT ME” (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign, Ari Lennox, Omen, & Dreezy)
Rating — 9.3/10
This whole album was amazing and a great experience and I’m so happy a group like this put out an album of this caliber. Dreamville’s squad is dope and it’s a moment in Hip-Hop that I hope is remembered for a long time and treasured as it should be. With that being said…
