Ab-Soul represents nothing that even the most forward thinking, Internet-bred modern rappers represent. He raps about hallucinogens and government conspiracies then turns around and raps about spending all his show money on a lady friend. He gets pinned as this smart rapper based on the role he fills within the TDE dynamic, but it's not right to judge him based on the careers and accomplishments of his label mates.
2012's Control System established his unique persona, but the time after Control System was a weird one. His few guest spots were lackluster to say the least. He'd gain fame (in a sense) and respect only to have mainstream rap media acknowledge him simply as the third guy in line behind Kendrick. If that album gave him a platform to grow his talent and influence, he seemed stuck in the same position in the time since.
If this all still left room for a fantastic follow up to Control System, that definitely doesn't end up happening. These Days finds Ab-Soul coasting. The second song opens, "I just wanna live like the trees/Shoot the breeze, stay around some leaves," and things get even more embarrassing from there. There are all sorts basic lines throughout the project, including but not limited to, "you still weak, you last week" and "got these backwoods like summer camp." It's hard to tell if he just stopped trying or if this is one big troll. Most of the beats here sound like bottom of the discount bin TDE submissions, including a fake DJ Mustard beat. Then there's the garbage ass Lupe song (which could describe any song with Lupe on it, really).
Soul is so much more than a rapper with metaphors and a political reference. The second half of "Dub Sac" for instance demonstrates what was so enjoyable about songs on Control System, but it's like he's living up to an image of rappers that 15-year-old Joey Badass fans find appealing. TDE fans support regardless, and it's not like he'll ever be Kendrick or Q anyway, so who cares how good the product is, right?
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