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.

The post New Album: Vince Staples x Larry Fisherman (Mac Miller) – Stolen Youth appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Vince Staples leads a quiet existence, but not necessarily because he wants to. For whatever reasons the highly skilled and interesting rapper seems to remain in the shadows despite constantly being in the company of equally talented artists such as Earl, Mac Miller and Action Bronson (he’s bodied feature verses on songs with all of them). Hopefully this will change next week when he drops Stolen Youth, an album produced entirely by Larry Fisherman, Mac Miller’s producer alias. According to the Fader, the project originated out of Vince telling Mac, “No one ever gives me beats.”

Featuring Ab-Soul, “Killin’ Y’all” is a calm yet venomous display of lyricism and introspect. In the words of Mos Def, “Quiet Dog Bite Hard.” Listen below.

The post New Music: Vince Staples ft. Ab-Soul – “Killin’ Y’all” (prod. Larry Fisherman) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.