Despite what the album title may suggest, witnessing Diggy Simmons channel his time and energy over the last three years into being an artist is a move that was all but expected. A descendent of Rap royalty, the ambitious 17-year-old now offers up his debut Unexpected Arrival in hopes that he too can join the upper echelons of Hip Hop supremacy.
Lyrically, Diggy is making strides to reach his contemporary idols, with tracks like “Tom Edison” and the Jadakiss-assisted “88,” providing an abundance of clever wordplay. More importantly, his delivery shows no signs of hesitation or reluctance, a flaw often apparent in younger acts. As a result, his solid execution makes you believe he was destined for this (“I hear the hate I don’t sweat it, ‘cause I’m getting that ‘fetti / I see a lot of mad rappers, Deric ‘D-Dot’ Angelettie / Compliments to the chef, your boy out here eatin’ great / Homie you ain’t no umpire, why you watching my plate?”).
Overall production on Unexpected Arrival is melodically impressive, with each arrangement setting the appropriate tone for Diggy’s words. Whether it’s the triumphant introduction of “Hello World” or the serious tone found on “I Need To Know,” Simmons has little trouble capturing his feelings with backdrops tailor-made for the scenario. Likely something he’ll be encountering for years to come, the latter track touches on his life as a cautious celebrity. Whether it be his new flame, thirsty friends or recent acquaintances, Diggy makes it clear that he’s aware of relationship pitfalls that can occur, and its fruitful wisdom that speaks to his maturity.
In that same vein, the biggest issue with Unexpected Arrival and Diggy Simmons as an emcee is that his age and likewise scope of life experiences are limited. We can enjoy the light ambiance of “Special Occasion” or “Two Up,” where Diggy’s rhymes briskly bounce above the radiant production, without feeling ostracized from his journey into stardom. However, his content lacks the intricate layers that allow a listener to connect with him on an intimate level. The best example of this surfaces on “Unforgivable Blackness,” where he boldly attempts to nullify his privileged status in favor for respect. Though admirable, it’s an indistinct track on an album that caters more toward the pop-rap sentiment of “Do It Like You” and “4 Letter Word.”
To Diggy’s credit, Unexpected Arrival plays to his adolescent strengths without hindering his opportunity to build upon his brand as an adult. In due time he will harness the intellect and wherewithal to create records that could make an impact like his father did in the ‘80’s. Until then, telling his story from a young man’s perspective is respectable; in fact, it would be expected.
Ugh. Really? 3.5/5?
It was better than Odd Future, but y’all bugging.
Nothing special
Crap.
4.5/5 swag
Amazing Album :it’s What i’ve been waiting for xx
garbage. put down the mic
extra star for being revs son
Diggy prollly crying at home right now..he flopped hard.Music is dead give up kid.You will never surpass the legacy your dad set up 4 you.you have nothing to talk about of interest!! you grew up in a good home with a silver spoon in your mouth.you have no problems or struggles in life rich boy.Stick to Run’s house
wack
Love the Album : Jet-setters All the way
LOVE YOU DIGGY XxX
nigga mad cuz he only sold 20,000 copies hahahahahahahahhaha
Run-DMC is their day was the shit! Diggy Simmons today…absolutely shitty. Sorry little guy, stick to TV & fashion.
a 3.5?!?!?!??!?!?too high!!!!how much did diggy pay you Edwin Ortiz?
horrible album. hiphop is dead
Nas- Hip Hop Is Dead, 2006… 2012…____
so wack
Garbage.
this is for the junior high kids
3.5?? come on DX for real
Correct me if I’m wrong, but did he really say on the first song:
“you can never convince me
that i’m not from the bottom/ i grew up so-so
when i rise to the top (top), imma tell you i told (you) so” ?
Someone correct me if i heard that shit wrong. If that is what he said, him saying he came from the “bottom” is ludicrous…
On another note, 4 songs in, this album ain’t half bad. It’s not groundbreaking in any sense of the word, but its solid so far. Real talk.
overall, the production was slightly above average, though, again, nothing new or groundbreaking. lyrically, slightly above average, though the painfully simple subject matter and ultra-skippable hooks made this an average release at best; decent for a 16 or 17 yr old’s debut, but if he wants to sit at the grown ups’ table, he needs to be critiqued like one. And straight up, this album won’t get one more spin from me again after the initial listen. Real talk.
Pathetic.
You’ve gotta be kidding me. 3.5? I’d give it a 0.5
Love this. Diggy is a dope MC. Im sure people will judge and evaluate this on album on stuff other than the music, but I hope everyone who loves hip-hop, and everyone bought a Run DMC album, listens to this. Diggy makes his dad and everybody proud. This was $9.99 well spent for me
lol you know music is free on the internet right?
HAHA! 3.5?
it was cool but didn’t fit his image
jgnjgvgvnj
just predictable
It was average. Good lyrics, ok beats
i liked it a lot
And so the people with real talent and no parents to get them in the game like it aint nothing never gonna happen. Diggy got in cause of his dad, this is why respect is near impossible. He’s spitting bs, talking like he’s something he aint. whack
Half of you guys comments is shit we all know were diggy came from congrats for realizing it not stop mentioning if you dont like his music two thumbs up for you but were he came from shouldnt be he main topic. its about music not the fact he was born into a rich family !
Like others said people hate on him for no reason.Him being from a rich family has nothing to do with the music.I think 3.5 out of 5 stars is accurate as a whole mainly because Diggy is only 17 years old and his subject matter is limited and a lot of Adults respects his craft but can’t really relate to him.If anything Diggy is keeping REAL hip hop alive as far as this new and young generation is concerned.He got the skills and the beats.All he needs is more subject matter cause Diggy is 10 times better than Souljah or Lil B.
Smh
“you can never convince me
that I’m not from the bottom/ i grew up so-so..”
It’s true… he did come from the bottom…
…the bottom of the top 1%… hard knocks son!
yeah the kid is a fuckin brat
it’s ok.
pretty good. better than expected.
love it
The kid is who he is. S’all I know.
The album cover is awful…look like he is opening the door to Willie Wonkas Chocalate Factory
Umm no… Sweetie, it is what he said it is. If you haven’t heard, the cover goes well with the theme of the album.Yes, it shows him opening a door BUT it is the door to fame and all the flashing lights and all the hype that comes with it. Connotatively, it shows him making his arrival in the rap industry/fame/life. People were not really expecting him to be a rapper and he is now trying to prove that he wants this and is serious about it.
Diggy’s album is AWESOME! Much better freshman album than some older, so called more “experienced” rappers! Stop hating on him and give the boy his props he can spit!
Lets be real album don’t sell anymore. Unless your signed to YMCMB OR A MAJOR CREW ! Make your money off shows and be happy to drop a album
I think this album is good. I love that he was innovative on how he rapped about certain topics. I have a new level of respect for this young man and I believe that if he continues like this, with his work ethics and all, the future is bright for him. I’m sure as the years pass he will grow and make even better music. This is a great start.
Dope debut!
I want to add my thoughts on the fact that I like good music, movies and fine women. Diggy debut album is very good. It doesn’t matter to me whether he comes from the bottom (poor) or the top (rich) just as long as he’s not crapping on the art of rap. Trust me…..there is alot of crap rap music out there from the hood,the underground and of course mainstream radio. My point is this…… I may dislike an actor or actress even though I like their new movie. I may not like the filth that comes out of the mouth of a beautiful woman, but I will still compliment how fine she is dressed if I decide.
So if Diggy is a rich brat and wants to make a rap album, I have no problem with it. If it sounds good to me, I’m copping it if it doesn’t then I won’t buy or support it…….that’s free will.
Unfortunately, CD’s aren’t selling because of the easy access to digital copies without spending money. R&B and rap music will be affected the most because we don’t support our artists by buying their music files legally.
not bad
dope album
I know im a bit late but i love this album! Just because he came from a rich family doesn’t mean he’s not talented. Who knew that there was this many haters out there. Show some respect.