As one of Odd Future’s lesser-noticed affiliates, Vince Staples has sought equal recognition while consciously avoiding the spotlight his peers have found themselves immersed in. Standout cameo appearances with Earl Sweatshirt helped his buzz take flight for solo releases where he has risen from the shadow of accomplices to be considered a force within his own right. With Pennsylvania transplant Mac Miller becoming a key figure of the modern Los Angeles Hip Hop renaissance, his hand at production under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman benefits Vince as the two have united for Stolen Youth.
A breakout moment for both Vince Staples on the emcee front and Mac Miller behind the boards, Stolen Youth is the product of creative ambition and an organic, refreshing chemistry. Determined to make good on Mac’s charitable efforts, Vince spends the project channeling hopeless pessimism that doesn’t manage to distract from his lyrical gift. Without remorse, “Stuck In My Ways” depicts a troubled young man barely removed from adolescence in need of inspiration explaining, “In the field don’t nothing but grit matter / Just get it how you live and figure the shit after…” This same desperation is found on the mellow “Outro,” where he runs laps over sparse keys saying, “Never had to show a lot of effort with the Rap shit / Going for the kill cause I never really had shit…”
While Vince Staples has a penchant for painting ugly pictures, what shines through Stolen Youth’s dismal tone is a hunger to be taken seriously among today’s up and coming contenders. The gloomy “Intro” and “Guns & Roses” are semi-autobiographical descriptions of the dark conditions that drive his competitive nature, whereby he matches or outshines the guests throughout the album’s 10 tracks. Another relationship Mac Miller has fostered is one with the TDE/Black Hippy crew, this alliance establishing a place for Vince to prove himself alongside ScHoolboy Q on the turned up “Back Sellin’ Crack” and Ab-Soul on both “Killin’ Y’all” as well as “Sleep” (where Mac nearly steals the show rapping over his own work).
Tapping into a persona loosely based on his harsh Long Beach upbringing rather than the recent surroundings of skateboarders and streetwear, Vince Staples inches his way closer to greater prominence with the masterful Stolen Youth. Gifted at crafting narratives dealing with urban decay, his maturity as a creative orator surpasses his 19 years of age, sure to propel his legend as more listeners begin to pay attention.
DX Consensus: “Free Album” (the highest possible praise for a mixtape)
this is contradictory. Just A Mixtape (the highest possible praise for a mixtape)
Free Album (the highest possible praise for a mixtape) is what it should be
looks like they fixed it
Great review.
BUT EDIT THIS SHIT DX!!!
ITS SUPPOSED TO BE FREE ALBUM!!!
I still can’t believe how underrated this dude is. If you haven’t heard shyne coldchain vol. 1 download it immediately!
CO-SIGN!
5/5
NAH
Vince always makes dope mixtapes, this and ColdChain Vol 1 are his best!
File under: who gives a fuck?
Great Album
This the best mixtape of 2013 so far, up there with ACID RAP.
Can’t wait for him to blow up!
great mixtape/album… this kid staples is colder than a mu’fucka, similar to that other kid i like, joey fatts…no-bullshit-lyricism and very great production from mac miller, who got real talent on the mic AND behind the boards…salute from germany!!
Co-sign. Mac has definitely grown as a producer. His beats are dope. J. Cole should take notes to see how its done.
I like it!
HEAVEN. Mac Miller did his thing
Good new West Coast stuff. Check out Joey Fatts Chipper Jones Vol. 2 too
Good shit, but some of these west coast kids need to come up with a better format than first name, random noun in coming up with their stage names. Casey Veggies, Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples, I’m looking at you.
To be fair, Earl Sweatshirt is one of the best names in rap.
Vince Staples is his real name lol
Good shit. Mac did amazing
Vince Staples is not a part of Odd Future, and is constantly criticized in the media by Tyler, the Creator for journalists such as yourself claiming his affiliation to the group. You’re a Hip-Hop journalist, respect your craft and get your facts right.
New Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail go get it www. hiphopgood .com
Great album!
Dope as f
Poignant title for a well crafted mixtape. The review does justice in capturing the somber aura of the entire album, misery has never felt so tangible.
I hate mac miller! but vince smashed it 5/5!!!!!
just wait for doris……….
I NEEEEEDDD A BANDAGE!!!!!!!!!!! and 5/5
“the hell happened to hip-hop bruh” is what my homie asked, so i gave him this!
What happened to Vince? His verse on Epar was the very best thing to come out of OF’s meteoric rise, and yet on this mixtape he completely abandons the weird, the original, and the clever in favor of the same tired refrains: “Money, money, money,” “I grew up in a working class household in an area where gang violence is a problem,” and the same tired, shallow “spirituality” that characterizes a lot of “deep” hip-hop. It’s not just the content that disappoints me, either–his flow’s mediocre, and he doesn’t do anything particularly interesting with rhymes.
Guns and Roses is a pretty good song, a ray of light in the sludgy, unremarkable darkness. I’m annoyed by the fact that “Guns and Roses” doesn’t really mean anything, but it sounds great and has a nice and coherent, if not particularly novel, narrative.
The problem is when we can’t relate the music doesn’t resonate. “Guns and Roses” in my interpretation is about the exploitation of youth in the ghetto using love,loyalty and lust to create war. The end result being animosity,identity crisis, disillusionment and death, where the fallen shall have flowers placed on their epitaphs.
Fuck yesssssss. Blue cheese and raging boners. Smearing bacon grease all over my face and wrinkled ballsack.
Went into this with no expectations I got completely blown away Vince Staples is up coming huge features from TDE. Sorry for sleeping on you Vince keep spitting them bars please!