The artwork says it all, but the music says it better: Vince Staples had to grow up fast. Produced entirely by Mac Miller‘s production alter-ego, Larry Fisherman, Stolen Youth is a wavering account of building an adulthood from the debris of a cruel youth. If that sounds depressing, maybe even nihilistic, that’s not quite the case. Staples is actually reminiscent of a young Jay-Z. He’s not regretting his past, praying for forgiveness or redemption. He’s too calm, nearly indifferent, for that. Instead, he’s exploring his past, using it to understand and explain his present; he’s meditating through rhymes, in a sense.
Vince isn’t the only one having thought experiments. Via Larry Fisherman, Mac Miller explores a universe of sound that differs from the introspective, playful atmosphere of the well-crafted Watching Movies With The Sound Off (which we reviewed). Less interested in the grandiose, Miller goes for the humble, weaving familiar sounds into something down-to-earth, yet still engaging. Listen to the pair below. Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q and Miller guest star.
Also, read his interview with The Fader.
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[…] the acclaim of last year’s chilling Stolen Youth, Vince is going for the mixtape gold this year by way of Shyne Coldchain II. This first single is […]
[…] If the mind of Delusional Thomas (of Delusional Thomas) spawned four more spiteful souls, they would make a track like “Amen.” Some of Mac Miller‘s most venomous friends get together over a creaking, creepy beat and put on their best horror show. The crown goes to the anchor, RetcH, who kicks his verse off with arguably the song’s best line: “Sold drugs in ya granny’s building / In front the children.” Dash gets reasonably grimy here too, and Vince‘s ominous drawl doesn’t fair half bad, if maybe a little clumsy. Soulo brought some clunkers (get it–tedious?) For more fun from this group (and a far better verse from Soul) check out “Sleep” off of Vince and Larry/Mac’s Stolen Youth. […]