While other indie imprints like Strange Music have set the precedent of attaining both critical acclaim and commercial strides, Funk Volume’s steady rise marches on. Though commonly associated with the label’s eccentric flagship troublemaker Hopsin, Dizzy Wright has forged his own worthy path. Out on his own since age 17, the Las Vegas native has been left with no choice but to pave his own lane through music and more importantly life as a whole. Using the digital turf to his advantage, Dizzy has built a small army of loyalists. His following was so dedicated, it helped him land a spot on XXL’s annually cherished Freshmen list in 2013. After a successful string of well-regarded EPs and mixtapes, Dizzy readies his sophomore LP The Growing Process. The end result is a project that serves as a reflection of humanity that shines alongside various vices.
Immediately setting himself apart from the fray, Dizzy Wright has a standoff with his fans on album opener “Higher Learning.” Taking feedback to heart, he arrives at a stark realization: “My life ain’t been the same while on a run/when this kid said ‘Fuck a message, we just wanna have fun.” Doubling down on this epiphany, he concludes a sense of betrayal saying “I looked at my YouTube views and I got salty, cause I realize my real shit don’t get that much love.” Most of The Growing Process is spent bravely tackling this very dilemma, one most of his peers may not bother to face at all, let alone on their songs.
The truth stands as Dizzy Wright is caught somewhere between turning up and conscious elevation, a trait once embodied by his role model Tupac Shakur. Torn creatively, he refuses to choose one lane exclusively over the other. Using the resources at his disposal wisely, his collaborations are organic and never forced as he shares introspective common ground with Big K.R.I.T. and Tech N9ne on “God Bless America.” Continuing along this progressive bent, the higher-minded “Can I Feel This Way” places Dizzy’s greater mission into perspective as he says “I honestly don’t want you to be like me, I want to inspire you to go and be yourself.” Likewise, with “No Time Is Better” he explains that the key to maintaining his composure has been the ability to build his sense of spirituality up. Dedicating the early portion of the project to ideas like self-awareness and seizing the moment, his intent here is to help listeners take life by the horns.
Paying it forward towards those who inspire his thoughtful escapism, The Growing Process Dizzy Wright features two members of the legendary quintet Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. “Regardless” has Layzie Bone’s modern day spin on their melodic tongue twisting flows, while “Don’t Ever Forget” is stoner’s anthem that bridges the generation gap with Krayzie Bone. Along this vein, “Smoke You Out” and “I Can Tell You Need It” cover Hip Hop botany from various perspectives, while “Floyd Money Mayweather” is a catchy comparison to boxing’s most swagger driven fighter. Balancing these carefree moments with a dose of reality, “Daddy Daughter Relationship” explores how fatherhood has forced him to go hard at pursuing success within music.
Dizzy Wright’s strength lies in the desire to reach both matured and comparably younger minds, all the while effectively navigating both worlds. Though The Growing Process starts with forward-thinking ideas like “No I’m not here to brag about my salary/I’m here to change your mentality” on “Train Your Mind,”he rarely neglects the need to kick back and relax. For the first time having full control over his vision, he has become a hero by refusing to limit himself to one style. Still figuring out his way with each release, Dizzy has proven to be well on his way here.
His best album to date.
One of the best albums of the year
Good, not perfect though. A few beats were a bit too weak. 4/5
brilliant album ,, Dizzy is making rap music , and that’s what’s good about him , i really loved the song (Train Your mind) an amazing track ,, powerful lyrics .. very good review 🙂
at least 4 maybe a bit more
Trash
garbage. First of all change your wack ass name. Drizzy drake owns the rights to that name. All these bum ass rappers trying to emulate the king of rap.
LOVE the first single “Train Your Mind” Listen to it everyday! The beat on that song reminds me of better days!
I see grown men really love Drake on here. Hmmm… thats pretty interesting lol
He’s had a that name ever since “the king of rap” was on degrassi lol
Man, I been waiting for a song to come out about not getting enough You Tube views. Shit is so gangsta, I can relate to this! Lol
I enjoyed Dizzys songs and concepts more than his production his beats at times can be suspect.too much going on and takes away from his lyrics.some stuff too goofy like Mayweather
dizzy never disappoints
Dizzy may not have the most complex rhymes, the best metaphors or best production. He is the best in what he does, and this album was amazing. No skip-able tracks (unless you count Berners verese)
Favorite Tracks (not counting tracks with rap features): False Reality and Train Your Mind
God Bless America are the Best tracks — but he definitely went just hard on those two as well.
Suggestions/criticism? : I loved this album…so it’s hard to really critique it per-say. 1) Needs better production for his tracks if he want’s more radio time or video views, I doubt that’s what he is shooting for. However, if he can keep his amazing lyrical qualities while doing that, he can be just as Big as Joey Badass and BIG K.R.I.T in album sales. 2) Well…his artistic process, his choices for who he wants on his tracks. However album sales are important, especially if your trying to have a message reach the masses (again like KRIT, Joey Bad, and Logic) have done you should feature artists outside of independent labels, just make sure they’re not wack. BERNER?!
Snoop would have bodied that song, they have similar views on ganj, and snoop would have flowed so much colder……and SMOKEBOX INTERLUDE! AAHHH, left me waiting on a chorus and then having logic coming in and bodying that (big mistake he wasn’t on the album imo) 6ix Logic and Dizzy always come up with gold. Let’s hope that Joint EP/LP is coming soon from them.
Also enjoyable
Dizzy has been climbing my list of favorites..this album is simply great
If you don’t like Dizzy, you know damn well you have to respect him. They man is just GREAT. GREAT ALBUM
In the shadows of hopsin you’ll find a beast high as shit writing poetic stuff. Dont go out at night Dizzy is hiding in the shadows and ready to attack. Oh shit he just attacked me and taught me about the growing up process it was dope as fuck amazing shit the police can’t find him tho but they found Hopsin we are talking about the situation. We will hit you back later