Yes, today, I continue my fresh supply of newer music. For this period, I decided to choose certain albums from each year. With 2013, I did CJ Fly's Thee Way Eye See It, and my opinion, I was not in the mood to do that album. I was procrastinating, tired and wasn't in the right frame of mind, especially when I was on my phone too much and revising, hence why it looks way too rushed. Now choosing from 2014, I'm back to normal, ready to review some good music.
And it's a guy from Top Dawg Entertainment. Considering that I already reviewed To Pimp A Butterfly, NO, it's not Kendrick. And it's not Jay Rock. Not SZA, Ab-Soul & ScHoolboy Q. Which leads this to one person... Isaiah Rashad.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Isaiah had dreamt of becoming a preacher. That is... until he managed to get a copy of OutKast's ATLiens from his stepbrother, and started to get into rapping. By the 10th grade/Year 11, he started to take it seriously, recording songs on laptops with his friends, and releasing music from 2010-12, moving to different places (where he could record songs), and getting industry connects from certain staff of companies such as DJBooth & Rolling Stone. That led him to getting his music sent to A&Rs, and getting recognition from record labels that he didn't have interest in. But meeting Dave Free, who introduced him to Top Dawg, was something. By June, the news spread that he was the newly-signed artist signed to TDE, although an official statement from the label didn't surface. But when they finally released it, Isaiah finally released a new song "Shut You Down", his first song in over a year, to celebrate it, getting him a fanbase and people that actually messed with him. But actually, it was his appearance on the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher that made people look at him more (although the Kendrick verse made everyone overlook the rest of the people), and all this led to the release of his EP/album/mixtape, Cilvia Demo.
Cilvia Demo is officially classified as an EP by the label, unexpectedly with 14 tracks (like the Kendrick Lamar EP), and an awkward length for an EP, hence why many classify is as a "demo", even Isaiah calls it that (considering that the "demo" in the title was slapped on there for a reason). Released at the very start of the year, the "demo" is his very first officially released project, seeing that an EP or a mixtape wasn't necessarily released before his deal with Top Dawg, and is a concept album that focuses on Isaiah's emotional struggle from his adolescence years to the present days. The "demo" gathers features from SZA, Jean Deaux, Michael Da Vinci, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock (and yes, unfortunately, there's no Kendrick feature, for goodness sake).
Cilvia has been critically acclaimed for the storytelling, production, style, and the experimental vibe, therefore making it one of the best projects of 2014, considering that 2014 wasn't much of a good year. Everyone from MTV to Consequence of Sound. With the buzz of the mixtape increasing as the months went by, Isaiah managed to make it onto the 2014 XXL Freshmen list. The "demo" debuted at #40 on the Billboard 200, selling 8.5k copies (unfortunately falling off the next week), and #7 on the Independent Albums list. As of March 2015, it still hasn't reached the 50k mark, as it sold over 26k copies
But anyway, let's get it on!
1. Hereditary
On this opening, Isaiah introduces this project with a verse which has him telling the listener(s) about how his father has never been in his life, and that he's been arguing with him, leading him to drink and smoke, giving a really dark and depressing feel to the whole project. It's nothing special, just a song just to get the mood ready for this.
2. Webbie Flow (U Like)
A tribute to Southern rapper Webbie, and reminiscent of Isaiah's teenage years, Isaiah spits a fire verse which was actually very impressive, over a chill beat that kinda sounds like it samples a reggae song, as he goes through sick punchlines and references. While doing all that, the song gives a laidback Summer/relaxing vibe, reminiscent of alternative R&B songs, especially with the bridge having a sexual innuendo. The beat switches up a little at the end, with an ending hook to complete the song together. Overall, Isaiah impresses me. His lines are good, especially the Tribe/Phife line ("On that Tribe shit, got that Phife Dawg"), and his flow was definitely on point.
3. Cilvia Demo
The title track on the "demo" manages to be a standout. And unlike CJ Fly's mixtape, this got me bumping my head heavily. With a chill Old School feel, sampling an Anna Mazzotti song that I heard was previously sampled on a Mobb Deep demo song, Isaiah raps about being high, while doing other things as he cruises in a drop-top whip, and he succeeds to impress me as the beat rides out successfully. The first verse was full of highlights, watching Zaywop (that's his nickname, by the way. Might just start calling him that now) spit some sick punchlines, and adding an Emmett Till (RIP) reference ["Be cool for a minute, '93 'Til be cool for Emmett"] was in it for me, making me add a squint face to my reaction on this song. God damn, I'm enjoying this album right now... oh, I mean, "demo".
4. RIP Kevin Miller
This was the song that got me into Isaiah in the first place. I wasn't that ready to check out his album yet, but I could tell he was fire, by the way everybody was acting on Rap Genius. But damn, this song is a freaking banger. After starting off with a jazzy ass sample, the beat switches up to a sick piano-driven banging beat, which Isaiah spits on to pay respect to Master P's brother, Kevin Miller, while Isaiah uses the multiple aggressive/regular-tone flow, which sounds a little demonic, but awesome to listen to. I remember the first time listening to this at school, fully bumping my head and shaking it cos of how fire it was. It still holds up right now as you're reading this.
5. Ronnie Drake (feat. SZA)
On the collab with then-newly-signed singer SZA, Isaiah uses a racial theme, and on the first verse, goes back a lot of years into African cultures to prove his point, while showing off his lyrical skills. SZA's hook is pretty good, and pretty catchy. However, on the second verse, Zay focuses on the racial struggles and the stuff that an average black could go through and would have to do. This song was amazing, I have no words to say. The overall song made me feel so good, and so... I dunno, but I feel like something. This was a very good song, and is probably a standout on this "demo".
6. West Savannah (feat. SZA)
Named after the OutKast song of the same name, and featuring a Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik reference, SZA comes through again on a more upbeat and smoother song, with Zay spitting some thought-provoking bars over his multiple singing flow. And with only one verse, it makes me and others wish that this was longer than 2:47, and at least 5 minutes or something. All I can say is that... I wish it was longer, then I would've loved this song more.
7. Soliloquy
Isaiah spits a fire verse in nearly 2 minutes over a piano-driven beat, showing off his lyrical skills and using a calmer flow than before. The heavy bass on this song was just... wow! And how fast-paced and on point it was made this song my favourite. Too bad that even if it's nearly 2 minutes, it felt way quicker.
8. Tranquility
Zay starts to go deep into the "demo" as he spits 2 powerful verses about society, black issues, and men & women in this generation, all while using some movie references to get his point across more. With lyrics like "Our education, they tend to say we killers again; but I'd rather give this living a chance, I'm getting patience", Isaiah does well with this, spitting that major truth, over the sombre, blurred out beat (well, it was blurred out til the end). This song was pretty decent, and is one to listen to all over again, especially since it's still relatable. 2015, and ain't nothing changed! But anyway...
9. Menthol (feat. Jean Deaux)
Another smooth and relaxing song (where Sounwave samples a Tokimonsta song), which actually impressed me a lot. Zay levels his flow up as he talks about drugs and alcohol, while adding a love and romantic feel to it, especially with Jean's chorus. However, the same way that "West Savannah" was, it feels too quick, and the second verse was way too short for my interest. I would've loved it more if it was longer. This is still one of my favourites though!
10. Modest
Isaiah comes through with another banger (which is actually Zay's personal favourite on here, by the way), using both his aggressive flow and the regular-toned. The 1st verse has him calm while the aggressive and loud side of him is at the background, as he talks about chilling, smoking and not caring about what haters say. However, towards the 2nd verse, Zay switches up with the aggressive side of him taking over, sharing his true thoughts on the rap game and his new-found fame (hey, that rhymes) ever since he got signed to TDE. The video pretty much explains it all, as Isaiah interests the listener with his rhymes and concept on this one. This is probably the best song on the album. The beat is hot, and everything is interesting, and how Isaiah managed to flow very well on this was amazing, especially with the content. This shit is FUEGO!!!!
11. Heavenly Father
Probably the most personal track on the album, which has Isaiah ranting about how he feels, whether it's lies, the rap game, the girls he's being with, his father abandoning him or the money, leading him to suicidal thoughts and wanting to turn to God to help him. SZA, who is uncredited on the song, comes to do the hook, while Zay sings his verses, until his 3rd verse, where he fully explains everything, including the youths of this generation (Millennials aka Generation Y). The content is very interesting, and is the type to get you thinking and actually nodding his head to what he says, while the beat comes out smooth, chill and laidback, with a sombre vibe. A standout on this album!
12. Banana
One of the hardest songs on the album.. eh hem, I mean "demo", and once again, Zay mixes his aggressive flow with his regular-toned style again, having him talk about his life, and his lyrical wordplay, adding syllables and more. This song is similar to "Modest", especially towards the 2nd verse where it's like Isaiah is screaming near the end, like previously. This song BANGS!!!
13. Brad Jordan (feat. Michael Da Vinci)
Zay dedicates this one to the MC Scarface, and you know, this one is just amazing, bangs harder than "Banana", with a smooth and chill ass feel to it, Michael Da Vinci comes through with a fire verse as 1/3 of the rap features on this "demo", and he kills it, with both Zay and Mike's flows on point. It does feel like it ends too quickly, but actually ends just before the 4 minute mark (with a skit at the end), making this a moment where because of how much this song banged out, it was more appreciative. WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
14. Shot You Down (feat. Jay Rock & ScHoolboy Q)
"Shot You Down" was originally released as a celebration drop for Zay's announcement of signing to TDE, and was a solo cut. However, the official TDE remix comes on this al.. [OK, you know what, I'm just gonna call this an album]... album, and Jay Rock & ScHoolboy Q are guests on this one, leading this one to 7 minutes (while the original was around 3 minutes). Isaiah still keeps his original verse, while Jay & Q comes through, and Jay kills it, with his sombre lines, focusing on loyalty, trust, hood life, while coming with some wordplay ["with no chains on, with no rings on; watching these fake rappers, getting my aim on], which had many hyped for his album (which some found disappointing). Q, however, comes with a long verse, talking about his early life and struggles, and like Jay, he does a good job, and actually went hard, impressing me more, the same way he would on the Black Hippy cut, "Vice City". In all honesty, this was a good way to end the "demo", and it was amazing. I felt the remix more than the original, although the video gave a better vibe. But, damn, now it's over...
Today was the day I finally realized how amazing this album, EP, mixtape, demo (or whatever) was. Cilvia is just... pure heat *insert fire emojis*. In a year that wasn't known as one of the best, Isaiah released something special, lyrical, and was one of the most comfortable projects to listen to, while mediocre music was being made. Isaiah goes through experimental production, banging beats and smooth ass vibes, all while telling interesting stories, spreading important messages, and adding a concept to the project. Referring to Master P's late brother on "RIP Kevin Miller" and having two sides of him in "Modest", you can hear the struggles, and how he feels about society and the generation. Zay cries about his father's absence in his life, and how his life was like while that happened. With all the deep and dark atmospheres Zay uses on here, he even goes far to ranting about everything to a point where he's thinking of committing suicide on "Heavenly Father". Most of the content is experimental, dark, deep, depressing, but manages to pull you in with its banging and weird production. Not to mention that all the features did a good job. SZA helped with "Ronnie Drake", "West Savannah" and, as an uncredited feature, "Heavenly Father". The lovely Jean Deaux did alright on "Menthol". Michael Da Vinci went hard on "Brad Jordan", and finally, Jay & Q were beasts on the "Shot You Down" remix. The TDE in-house production team doesn't make much appearances, apart from Sounwave, but the overall production make loose for a classic that is ranked up with great TDE albums like Ab-Soul's Control System and Kendrick Lamar's Overly Dedicated. Overall, Cilvia is just an amazing piece of work. A modern masterpiece. Classic. Best project of 2014 that beats the hell out of The Water[s] (and that's saying something). Buy this now! This album is just on point, and whether it's the aggressive/regular-tone flow on "Modest" or the conscious/sombre feel on "Tranquility", the overall project leaves you wanting more. Apparently, Isaiah has turnt in a project, and has already released a song called "Nelly". Let's hope we get a mixtape or album before the year ends!
The Furious 5ive
Modest
Shot You Down
Brad Jordan
RIP Kevin Miller
Heavenly Father
Honourable Mentions
Tranquility
Banana
Cilvia Demo
Ronnie Drake
Soliloquy
You know what, this project is just an overall standout. All the songs are the best on here!
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