Just when I thought Logic’s "The Incredible True Story" was slated to unanimously take the title for best rap album of 2015, G-Eazy decided to intervene with his masterful sophomore LP, "When It’s Dark Out." Let me be very clear, G-Eazy’s second album is hands down the best of 2015. End of debate.
G-Eazy takes you into his hardship-filled, complicated, unforgiving world and does so all while staying true to the underlying somber mood his project aims to convey. In 2014, this lanky, well-dressed rapper who stands at a towering 6’5” shook up the rap genre with his ambitious project "These Things Happen." In his big unveiling, G-Eazy exposed the world to his fast lifestyle which encompassed in its entirety sleek fashion, whiskey and fast girls. And people loved it. Basically, his music set the tempo and mood for wild parties that have now been re-labeled as “turn ups.” Unlike most rappers, his freshman LP had an incredible amount of depth alongside the hype tracks. Yet while the album was very party-centered and brought immediate fame to the local Bay Area rapper, it lacked in its ability to effectively tell a coherent story. G-Eazy’s lyrics are well-crafted and he can get very deep into his subject matter, it just seemed like he didn't know how to channel it into a tale on his first attempt.
But this was not the case for "When It’s Dark Out."
The first three words that come to mind when I think of this album are angelic, emotional and dark (obviously). It feels like you’ve stepped into the twilight zone, which is Gerald’s mind, when the "Intro" track queues and he demonically mumbles “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” And it just goes further from there as hard-hitting songs such as "You Got Me" and "Random" make you want to get out of your seat and go crazy. At the beginning of this album Gerald’s story starts with him describing his self-made rise to fame and how he has planned on being here all along as well as completely dominating the rap game. Then the focus of the project begins to shift on songs like "Some Kind of Drug" and "Thinkin About You" where he describes his on and off again relationship with singer and ex-girlfriend Devon Baldwin. Although G-Eazy is on the road and living out his dreams as a rapper, he still deeply cares for Baldwin and trust that they will be alright as a pair even though they aren't together anymore. The album eventually culminates on the song "Everything Will Be OK" where he touches on topics such as Baldwin, his mother’s ailing health, the responsibility his brother had to take on at an early age and his mom’s relationship with another woman as a young kid. In one of his most vulnerable and chilling moments, G-Eazy describe how his mom’s partner began to suffer from serious depression and subsequently became addicted to pills. One night he goes down to the basement and finds her on the floor, lifeless and as he tries to revive her he realizes its futile and that she is gone. This song is the best on the album without a doubt.
In recent years we have come to overuse the word "swag," but Gerald Gillum doesn't bring more "swag" to the rap game. He brings "swagger" and back into the equation. His style exemplifies this, as he has created a brand for himself that is instantly recognizable. When you see that black leather jacket, slicked back hair and ghastly look eyes, you know who it is. His image is unique and classic all in one breathe, he looks as though he isn't a rapper but rather a character from the 1960s. He has redefined rap with his style both lyrically and physically, and delivered a masterpiece as we draw 2015 to a close. I’ve got a feeling this is only the beginning of great things to come from this Oakland native.
In the meantime, go cop ‘When It’s Dark Out’. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
