On the heels of his critically-acclaimed debut LP “Summertime ‘06,” Staples quickly became a polarizing figure and trending topic, in part due to his crazy tweets and misunderstood comments on ’90s and 2000s-era hip-hop.
On Aug. 25, Staples brought us “Prima Donna.”
The EP lights a fire right off the bat with the militant “War Ready,” which was produced by James Blake and features samples from Outkast. Here, Staples passionately speaks about overcoming inequality, saying that African-Americans are “born ready” for the long haul against oppressors, even if losses inevitably occur. Staples points to a blurred line between the philanthropic and the egocentric, however, when it comes to rappers promoting social issues.
During “Smile,” we get a sense that Staples is somewhat annoyed and ashamed of his fame. He becomes estranged to the ones who matter most to him and, toward the end of the track, eventually becomes overwhelmed with sorrow and regret.
The EP’s title track featuring A$AP Rocky makes a case for being one of this year’s best songs. Fueled by hard-hitting production from producer DJ Dahi, Staples delivers a banger about being an egotistical artist at the peak of stardom. Though the perks of fame can boost the rapper’s ego, Staples wants the listener to understand that, in the end, none of these things make you better than the next person. But if you become addicted to them, it will be hard to see otherwise.
The only downside to this project is that it will leave listeners wanting more. The EP has only seven songs.
Despite that, “Prima Donna” is a solid EP, which proves that the ceiling of Staples as an artist didn’t just end at “Summertime ‘06.” More greatness is expected as there is a visible progression in his sound, flow, lyricism and social awareness.
Favorite Tracks:
“War Ready,” “Smile,” “Loco,” “Prima Donna,” “Pimp Hand,” “Big Time”
Least-Favorite Tracks:
N/A
8 out of 10.
Recent Comments