Every successful team has one key component that can be zeroed in to be labeled as the backbone. Ab-Soul’s constant labeling as the TDE most underrated seems fair but still manages to undermine his contributions to the unit.
Granted, between Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy attention, ScHoolboy Q’s chart-topping prowess and Jay Rock’s untouchable street cred, there are several underliers that twist Ab’s potential into an expectation.
Not to say Soul–born Herbert H some 28-years-ago–isn’t up for the challenge. It just has to be solely on his terms. Which is exactly what his latest LP, These Days… exemplifies in full.
Hip-Hop Wired was privy to sit-in on an intimate listening session for the album, which is jam-packed with vocal and producer appearances but not to the point they overshadow the cerebral content abound.
Peruse through the gallery to soak in seven key points as you patiently wait for the project to hit iTunes at midnight.
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Photos: Instagram/Ab-Soul
Social Media Is The New A&R…
Rick Ross’ grandiose appearance on “Nevermind That” may appear to be the end result of some strategical sit-down amongst suit and ties in an industry boardroom but that notion couldn’t be further from the truth.
Ab simply reached out to Rozay on Twitter. And Rozay got back to him with the quickness.
…But The Industry Still Has Its Rules
A few sample clearance issues prevented Ab Dash from giving the public every single record he intentionally created for the project. Perhaps, Soul Sundays on Twitter are to be a thing of the future?
Don’t Read Too Deep In The Pages Of The Tree of Life
Soulo tells Hip-Hop Wired that his subject matter is far from shallow but fans shouldn’t dig in looking for conspiracy theories and layered metaphors, neither.
“There’s never nothing too extensive in my approach to recording,” Soul tells us. “I just lay it when I feel it’s time. It can be deep if that’s how you want to take it. ‘Can be shallow too,” he casually states.
Photo: Instagram/Diddy
Puffy
Puff Daddy makes a very special, uncredited appearance on the album. Longtime TDE fans should be able to guess the significance of the cameo.
Photo: YouTube
Danny Brown
With all due respect to the numerous classic collabos within the Black Hippy camp, Danny Brown and Ab-Soul have developed such an organic chemistry together, it should be bottled up and sold at Whole Foods.
Polarization Is Necessary
These Days… features records that Soul admits that are “polar opposites” one another. TDE’s track record is assurance enough to trust that the album isn’t stuffed with filler just to get it on shelves. Life is but a dream–and a contradiction.
Listen Beneath The Surface
Upon pushing play, listeners will be pitted into an engaging dichotomy that in no way includes Soul Brother #2 claiming to be the Son of Man. Despite, the eyebrow-raising cover. The previously released “Stigmata acts as a bridge for much of the records that tie it all together.
