October 2024
Monthly Reviews | October 2024
October saw music releases from some big names. Four projects in particular caught my attention and had me eager to dive in. First up is Rome Streetz’s Hatton Garden Holdup, a gritty collaboration with Griselda’s in-house producer, Daringer. Known for his lyricism and raw delivery, will Rome out do his acclaimed 2022 album Kiss the Ring? Next was GloRilla’s debut album, Glorious. Following her breakout mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang and a string of chart-topping singles, GloRilla returned with a project packed with Southern energy and undeniable charisma. Towards the end of the month, Tyler, the Creator dropped his highly anticipated album, Chromakopia. With an already stellar discography and an impressive streak of recent albums, Tyler’s latest effort is more personal and reflective in comparison to his last albums. Lastly, Freddie Gibbs released You Only Die 1nce, a sequel to 2017’s You Only Live 2wice. As a great storyteller with a history of consistently strong projects, find out if Gibbs delivers another hit. Read on to see how these albums stack up.
Rome Streetz & Daringer — Hatton Garden Holdup
Release Date — 4th October
The new project from Griselda Records member Rome Streetz sees the London-born rapper team up with labelmate and in-house producer Daringer. The latter, known for crafting some of Griselda’s most iconic singles and album cuts—such as Benny the Butcher's “‘97 Hov” and “Dr. Bird’s” for the Griselda group album, WWCD. Over the last few years, Rome Streetz has established a growing presence in the rap scene, particularly with his 2022 album Kiss The Ring, which received widespread acclaim from both fans and critics. Personally, I found Kiss The Ring to be a solid body of work, but two years later, Hatton Garden Holdup raises the bar even higher with exceptional production, impressive flows, and well-executed guest appearances.
The album is packed with standout tracks and highlights, delivering the quintessential grimy and dark sound that has made Griselda one of the most beloved labels in recent years. It includes several boom-bap-inspired songs that channel the unmistakable influence of 1990s New York rap. Notable tracks like “Starbvxkz” and “Weight of the World,” the latter featuring Cormega, exemplify this style. Though, he has made countless great instrumentals, Hatton Garden Holdup consists of some of Daringer’s best production work this decade so far. Tracks such as the aforementioned “Weight of the World,” along with “Sage” and “Space X,” highlight his masterful production skills. Saying that however, there are a few production choices that are a let down and negatively affect the enjoyment of the song, most notably “100 Schemes” and “Spike”. However there are only a short few instances of this.
Much like on Kiss The Ring, Rome Streetz commands the mic with confidence, delivering solid performances across the board. His voice and flow shine on many of the instrumentals provided by Daringer. Except for one track on Kiss The Ring, Hatton Garden Holdup marks the first time Rome Streetz and Daringer have collaborated extensively, and the pairing proves highly effective. As with other Griselda members, Daringer’s production is a perfect match for Rome Streetz's style. This album stands out as one of Rome Streetz’s best projects to date—and potentially his finest work yet. More collaborations between him and Daringer in the future would undoubtedly be welcomed.
Glorilla — Glorious
Release Date — 11th October
Following the success of her April mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang, GloRilla returns with her debut album, Glorious. Since her breakout hit “F.N.F.” in 2022, GloRilla has consistently demonstrated a knack for crafting infectious, party-ready singles. Her latest album continues this trend, delivering a collection of bangers sure to ignite house parties and clubs alike. Among the standout tracks is her summer hit single “T.G.I.F.”. This track, featuring heavy bass production, an addictive chorus, and her signature ad-libs, blends seamlessly into an anthem that’s impossible not to replay. The album also includes two other stellar singles: “Hollon” and “Whatchu Know About Me” featuring Sexy Redd. Both songs celebrate the enduring influence of 2000s Southern hip-hop—“Hollon” channels the raw energy of Crunk, while “Whatchu Know About Me” samples Foxx’s 2007 classic “Wipe Me Down,” paying homage to Louisiana’s rap legacy.
In addition to its strong singles, Glorious stands out as a celebration of Southern rap, both past and present. The album features standout contributions from fellow Southern powerhouses: Georgian rapper Latto on “Procedure” and Texan rapper Megan Thee Stallion on “How I Look.” Both collaborations highlight the prominence of Southern female rappers in today’s mainstream scene. While Glorious opens with an incredible five-track run, it does stumble in the middle, where a few songs feel less compelling or even skippable.
One of these weaker moments is “Don’t Deserve,” featuring Muni Long. Though the song’s intent is meaningful—GloRilla advises a friend to leave her toxic relationship—the track feels overly dramatic, weighed down by Muni Long’s chorus. Similarly, T-Pain’s feature on “I Luv Her” misses the mark. His autotuned vocals, once iconic, now feel dated and out of place in 2024’s musical landscape.
Despite its shortcomings, Glorious reaffirms GloRilla’s position as one of mainstream hip-hop’s most exciting voices. She has a talent for creating memorable singles that dominate playlists and dance floors. However, she has yet to deliver a cohesive full-length project that captures the listener from start to finish. From her 2022 EP Anyways, Life’s Great… to this debut, her releases tend to serve as collections of highlights rather than unified albums. I’m still waiting for the project where every track brings joy and leaves me smiling from beginning to end.
Tyler, The Creator — Chromakopia
Release Date — 28th October
Fifteen years after his self-released debut album, Bastard, Tyler, the Creator returns with his eighth studio album, Chromakopia. Now 33 years old, fans have witnessed the Los Angeles native’s evolution from the shock-value provocations of his early work—Bastard and Goblin—to the more mature, introspective artistry that began with 2017’s Flower Boy. Since then, Tyler has embarked on an extraordinary creative streak, producing critically acclaimed albums like Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. With Chromakopia, he delivers his most personal album yet, exploring the thoughts, concerns, and emotions of a man entering his mid-thirties.
His 2019 sit down with DJ Funkmaster Flex is known for its hilarious freestyle that unsettled the legendary DJ, however prior to that they would have an open and honest conversation about marriage and its merits. In his late-twenties at the time, Tyler dismissed the idea of marriage, calling it “dumb” and expressing skepticism about monogamy.
On Chromakopia, he revisits this sentiment with more nuance on “Darling, I.” Featuring Teezo Touchdown, the track highlights Tyler’s internal struggle: a desire for love tempered by his difficulty with the concept of commitment. The refrain emphasizes the daunting nature of “forever,” while his closing line—“Nobody could fulfill me like this music sh*t does, so I'll be lonely with these Grammys when it’s all said and done”—encapsulates his fears of loneliness and his devotion to his craft. Another inner battle he has with himself is centred around children, on Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale Tyler has showed interest towards having children with the song “Heaven To Me”, but also described his apprehension on pushing aside his music career on the track “What A Day”. On Chromakopia, he deepens this exploration with “Tomorrow,” where he grapples with societal and familial pressures to have children. He contrasts his mother’s longing for grandchildren with the realities of his friends settling down, all while questioning whether he’s ready—or willing—to put his music career on hold for fatherhood.
Other interesting commentary and topics on Chromakopia include “Noid”, where Tyler raps from the perspective of someone who is highly paranoid and skeptical of everything and everyone around them. This song does seem to reflect the paranoia and stress that comes with being under the spotlight and having a lack of privacy. On the song, “I Killed You”, Tyler uses many clever double entendres as he raps about the societal pressures and expectations that is faced by the black community in regards to their hair. “Hey Jane” consists of incredible lyricism and story telling, as the song is centred around an unplanned pregnancy. On the first verse, Tyler raps from his perspective and shows support towards the woman, yet is disappointed at himself for his recklessness and describes his anxiety about having an unplanned child. Whilst the second verse is rapped from the woman’s perspective, how she is worried that this may be her last chance at having a child and that she is fine with raising a child on her own. The dual narratives and emotional depth make it one of Tyler’s finest works.
As a whole, Chromakopia is a phenomenal addition to Tyler’s discography. While it remains to be seen how it will rank alongside albums like Flower Boy, Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost. On the album, Tyler flexes his ability to gather various sounds from different genres and make an incredible project. Chromakopia does consist of many great thought provoking tracks over smooth and laidback instrumentals, but Tyler has shown his knack for producing great hard hitting bangers before, and his latest album isn’t short of that. From “Sticky” which features GloRilla, Sexy Redd and Lil Wayne to “Thought I Was Dead” with fellow West Coast rapper Schoolboy Q and Santigold. The album deserves immense praise for its ambitious scope, emotional depth, and sonic brilliance. Tyler continues to push boundaries, proving yet again why he is one of the most innovative and celebrated artists of his generation.
Freddie Gibbs — You Only Die 1nce
Release Date — 31st October
Freddie Gibbs returns with his eighth solo studio album, You Only Die 1nce, a sequel to his 2017 project You Only Live 2wice. A staple of the early-2010s Blog era, Gibbs has earned a reputation as one of the most consistent rappers in terms of both quality and output. While this latest release doesn’t quite reach the heights of his career-defining projects, such as 2014’s Piñata with Madlib or 2020’s Alfredo with The Alchemist, You Only Die 1nce is still an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable record. The album is steeped in Gibbs’ signature dark humor, with witty lines and skits scattered throughout, but it also delves into deeper, introspective territory as he recounts tales of his criminal past and inner struggles.
Unlike some of his previous albums, where a single producer handled the production, You Only Die 1nce mirrors its predecessor by featuring a variety of producers. This diversity shines on standout tracks like “Wolverine,” where Gibbs delivers a masterclass in braggadocious lyricism over a smooth, polished beat. Another highlight is “Steel Doors,” a hauntingly beautiful track featuring a delicate yet eerie vocal sample that complements Gibbs’ storytelling. Additional favorites include “Origami” and the closing track “On The Set”. Despite its strengths, the album isn’t without flaws or inconsistencies.
One of the weaker moments is the seventh track, “30 Girlfriends.” Unlike the stronger cuts, it fails to leave a lasting impression, with a serviceable beat and a performance from Gibbs that doesn’t quite match the energy of his best work. Another misstep is “Rutheless.” Though it boasts a laid-back and enjoyable instrumental, the track is undercut by a lacklustre chorus where Gibbs repeatedly says “stu*id”, plus he sounds disengaged and uninterested throughout the whole song.
Overall though and as mentioned prior, You Only Die 1nce is a good body of work that is added to Gibb’s already impressive discography. Though I cannot see this album having the same staying power and longevity as Pinata, Alfredo or even the album’s predecessor it still is an enjoyable listen and something to keep Freddie Gibbs fans pre-occupied as they await the rumored Montana - the highly anticipated third collaboration between Gibbs and Madlib.