Dave East’s new album Hoffa is a strong entry in the Harlem native’s extensive catalog. His bars are on point, and the story-telling is there, but East’s use of inflections shines bright on the album.
During an interview with Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1, Dave East explained how a studio session with J. Cole led to the Survival rapper getting advice on experimenting with his voice on the album.
“I got a chance to lock in with J. Cole, just me and him in the studio with the engineer,” East explained. “And he asked that same question, like, ‘Bro, I’m a fan of what you do, I really respect your pen, but you rap with one tone.’ And I really sat and listened to myself, and a lot of my shit is one tone.”
He continued, “Me and him in the studio testing tones. He’s just really seeing how high I can take my voice, how low I can take it, and then he just was like, ‘Apply that to your music. Watch the difference. That’s just something I gotta keep working at, keep working at. I think it will be something dope to add to my music.”
Dave East also explained how important it was for him to lock in with one producer, Harry Fraud, on Hoffa. According to the Def Jam rapper, he could focus on the music and not worry about all the extra stuff that comes with working with several producers.
Harry Fraud co-signed East’s statement saying, “That’s what the producer is supposed to do. A lot of rappers have become vocal producers in their own rights. It’s my job to make sure all they have to do is rap.”
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He added, “Of course, I want their input. I want Dave’s input on everything. But he shouldn’t have to be pulling his hair out worrying about anything but rapping, especially when we’re creating. He should only be worried about creating the best thing.”
Stream Hoffa below.
Love to hear this. Artist gotta start critiquing each other’s music. That’s the only way the genre is going to survive. All this d-*ckriding and stealing each other’s flow is garbage.
Exactly! I respect J. Cole for this.
Idk, HOFFA sounds pretty much one tone to me.
Damn man, how the hell did I not know Dave East had a new album out? SMH I really rock with him and I’m on the internet and social media everyday. I haven’t heard or seen one person mention it. I love Nas, and I love his new album. But damn, how the hell Dave signed to him and can’t never get none of that shine? Why Dave East couldn’t be on either King’s Disease album like Fivio Foreign, A Boogie and YG is? WTF? He’s a grown man, so I guess we can say it’s his fault, but his career has been mishandled every step of the way. He’s way too talented with his pen to constantly be going backwards.
I just heard this album today. J Cole is right. I didn’t know where one song began and one song ends.
I tried giving Dave East multiple chances but end up disappointed each time. A couple of decent guest verses here and there but the man can not make a solid album to save his life.
I hate his voice
I think East has potential, but like most I’m not a fan of his voice. The songs of his that I happen to like are mostly bc of the feature artist i.e. Godfather w/ Nas
He could always use auto-tune lol