Vince Staples.

‘Vince Staples’ is an exploration of Staples when embodying his full potential, an internally personal album yet layers of undirected trauma instils his discerned nonchalance. 

‘Vince Staples’ is a self titled fourth studio album from the artist, a rapper that intentionally distances himself from the status quo; Vince staples is a wallflower, an average guy from Long Beach that just happens to have a cult following for his music. Consistently proving his individuality in an industry more concerned with making duplicates, Vince stands two feet proudly without concern in his own lane. An unserious rapper with makeshift comedic timing that works alongside his monotonous tone of voice; Staples is Long Beach’s Lone wolf.

Staples, directs an artistic shift with this album, a complete collaboration with producer Kenny Beats this album proves to be an intentional energetic rearrangement, showcasing a tonal change to the Staples in FM! This album is a consistent run of hazy beats and blunt retellings of adolescent tragedies, still Staples finds time to incorporate hints of amusement amidst all the tumultuous narratives. Opening with ‘ARE YOU WITH THAT?’ It sets the tone with its lingering theme of loss as Staples retells stories from his childhood  speaking on the many deaths that he’s lived through. Still, Staples reflects on his livelihood as he remains here to retell these stories for himself, explaining that he chooses to actively remember these tragedies in order to continue succeeding “I don’t hide, from this shit for life”. Staples reminds us the reality of his upbringing not hiding that he still has the same motivations as before; “fill these voids or fill my bank”. 

Continuing with his gradual descent down the memory lane, Staples brings us “THE SHINING ” another mellow beat matched with a more introspective lyrical insight into the gang life he was raised around. Staples comes in with a vulnerable confession, relaying his fears around the gang life, ultimately letting us know that he doesn’t want to die. He adds a sense of humanity, of course many can relate to this fear; “I could be gone in a blink,I don’t wanna leave”. 

The last section of the album also contains a feature from rising alternative artist Fousheé, she collaborates with Vince on ‘TAKE ME HOME’, bringing in an added sense of lyrical comfort whilst managing to compliment Staples’ extra spouts of his weaknesses. Staples’ utilises the song’s title metaphorically as he implicitly reveals the experiences that make him feel at home but also carries on with his outpour of vulnerability when talking about how his experiences have affected his subconscious; “I don’t wanna die but I will for the cause”. 

Following the sombre soul heard in ‘TAKE ME HOME’ is the fan favourite ‘LIL FADE’, a more upbeat tune yet it still contains the relaxed tone that’s been curated by Kenny and Vince to take us through the album, another showcase of Vinces ability to narrate with such presence. Staples’ tone is monotonous on purpose, it works almost as an intentional parallel to the sound that it’s over, it’s a brilliant demonstration of the duo at work. It’s clear that Staples’ wanted to be able to create a space that allowed him to bare his feelings in his music without losing his essence, Kenny carried this with the production as each beat makes sure to survive the sound of Vince staples.

To finalise the album Staples chooses song “MHM”, a song that literally guides us through Long beach this song is chosen as the outro understandably. Staples’ wants us to remember where he came from as much as who he is now, thats a hill he firmly stands on. Staples’ isn’t anyone without his hood and his homies. That’s a point that’s been made clear and this album shows it. ‘VINCE STAPLES’ is an ode to Long beach and also a great depiction of how your environment is everything to who you choose to become, Staples makes sure that we all know this as a matter of fact. Staples’ navigates his artistry in his own way, a rapper that doesn’t mind what type of artist you call him, as long as you put some respect on his name!