Danny Brown – “Old”

 

 

Danny Brown is here and is going to change the entire hip-hop game. Yes, this is my opinion. But I think everyone will somewhat agree with me after hearing “Old.” Danny Brown’s third studio album is, in my opinion, his magnum opus. 

Danny Brown hit the scene hard with his 2011 sophomore release, “XXX.” His honest lyrics about his drug-addled life and his impoverished childhood combined with a genius flow and a unique voice add to Brown’s charm. 

“Old” has the same charm as “XXX,” but done even better. “Old” is divided into two sides being split by the songs “Side A (Old)” and “Side B (Dope Song).” Side A consists of honest songs about Danny’s childhood and drug-addled adolescence. The titular track of this side explains Danny’s impoverished life in Michigan where he was “wearin’ jackets in the house” and eating “Ramen noodles for dinner.” The other songs on Side A continue with the same theme of drugs and poverty. He describes a trip to the store to get bread that ends in a mugging in the song “Wonderbread.” He documents his family’s poverty in the song “25 Bucks” that phenomenally features Purity Ring. 

Side B begins with the Rustie-produced “Side B (Dope Song).” While Side A has some softer, slower songs, Side B is filled with bangers. The themes vary from taking drugs recreationally and the stress of Danny’s newfound fame. Producers on this side include the amazing Rustie and the well-known skywlkr. The standout track on this side, to me, would either be “Dip” or “Dubstep.” “Dip” is an all-out banger about drugs and women. Danny’s flow and unique vocal timbre make this song a fun, club-friendly banger. “Dubstep” is another banger with, you guessed it, a dubstep-style backing track. Though Danny goes hard on this song, my favorite part is the feature Danny chose for this song. English grime MC, Scrufizzer, absolutely destroyed his verse. 

All in all, this album is probably the hip-hop album of the year and a huge contender for album of the year. 

Grade: 9.5/10

Tracks to check out: “Dubstep” and “Dope Fiend Rental” Scrufizzer’s verse in “Dubstep” is phenomenal and the Schoolboy Q-featured “Dope Fiend Rental” mixes a trap beat with honest lyrics.