Coming straight outta Compton is a Shady one named Boogie. The Shady Records signee dropped his long-awaited debut, Everything’s For Sale, Friday, and the album is worth fans’ patience.
The full-length fully introduces the world into a troubled young man with a brilliant mind whose musings are starkly engaging.
Boogie pulls no punches in being honest about his feelings. Despite Hip Hop still being largely macho, mental health awareness is at an all-time high. Nevertheless, Boogie sounds defiant in his reflections, so much so that one could picture him rapping about suicide back in 1996 during prime testosterone-driven vitriol.
Regardless, his rhymes about self-disdain. will drop jaws: “I’m the one in front of the gun and the one behind the trigger/I been hidin’ from my truths, they will never find a nigga/If they ever find a nigga, I identify the killer/I’ma be the only witness, it’s that pussy in the mirror.”
At the same time, Boogie laments his circumstances: “It’s hard to feel shit when you livin’ off pain pills/Hard to put on war boots when you walkin’ on eggshells.” There’s self-hatred here, but also the frustration that can only come from at least a little bit of self-compassion. Boogie’s ability to allow the two to coexist without feeling the need to explain the duality enriches Everything’s For Sale with a widely relatable complexity.
Boogie has a remarkable penchant for melody that marks this album with a vibe both catchy and moody. “Swap Meet” is accompanied by Ryan Feinberg and Keyel’s hauntingly melancholic guitar strums, but Boogie remains the star of the show as he smoothly compares a worthy lover to a swap meet. The premise may sound ridiculous, but Boogie’s flawless execution makes it worthy of repeat spins.
The vibe is briefly altered on the Eminem-assisted “Rainy Days.” Marshall opens his verse with his trademark anger, but his deliberate flow is a welcome change of pace to the speed-rap he’s stuck to like glue over the past few years. Alas, he gives way to his rappity-rap shtick midway through the verse, unintentionally distracting from his verbal gymnastics as he does Fresh Ayr, STREETRUNNER and S1’s dark beat a disservice with his hyperactive flow. It’s a sign of the times when a 2019 Eminem feature actually detracts from a song.
Everything’s For Sale is not entirely downbeat. “Skydive” finds Boogie daring to take a leap of faith despite the uncertainty that many of his generation feels. He also gets satirical of the state of rap on “Self Destruction” with an intentionally nonsensical hook: “It go somethin’, somethin’, somethin’, can’t remember nothin’/Still don’t give no fucks when wildin’ out in public…” The cut is smart in its roasting of wack rappers but also detracts from the album’s focus on raw emotion.
If any affirmation is needed of Boogie’s concern for his future, it can be found on “Lolsmh (Interlude).” This is not a young man who is angry because he doesn’t care. Quite the contrary. His Psalms-like cries out to God betray a man who wants nothing more than the ever-elusive balance of success and peace. Yet, his faith keeps him grounded as he knows he’ll be all right in the end. “Remind me that I’m gonna be straight/Remind me if my heart do break, remind me that it’s gon’ reshape.”
Whoever said the youth don’t care has never listened to Boogie. The young MC’s naked honesty is built for a cult following from young fans who are sick of mumble rap and older fans who want something fresh.
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Refreshingly candid, musical and lyrical. His replay value will increase with visibility – just the nature of the beast. But solid effort. @ByPrinceJ
This album reminds me of TPAB. Every song has substance, theres a few bangers, and it is consistently well-written. The producing is great, but Boogies lyricism makes the album stand out. This isnt an album for “hiphop fans” who argue that beat is the only thing that matters in modern rap. This is an album for fans of well-written albums who will sit down and listen in-depth. Boogie is going places……
Album is good, but goddamn that Em feature was trash.
I agree. It’s the only song that I skip on the album
Go suck Joe’s dick. This probably is Joe. Go listen to Cardi B
Eminem is a spent force. Only thing he can do is beef with ‘rappers’ we all know are trash anyway and rap fast, as if how many words you spit out is more important than what you say. Midlife crisis hit him I guess and now he just tries to stay relevant, while he’s clearly not and would do well to concentrate on his label and unearthing new stars.
Hahahaha you don’t know hip hop player. You’re not really listening if you think his skill set ends with the pace of his rapping. That’s okay, there is a lot of people who don’t understand hip hop and are the ones who speak the most negativity. You’re not alone.
Did you not hear his last album?
The only other classic since Good kid Maad city
Relax…
Don’t leave out ‘1UpTopAhk’ & ‘Victory Lap’..
Calm down buddy, not even close
First impression, slow burning mood music. 95 live is the standout for me. I’m definitely looking forward for more. 3.5/5
Nice melody’s with good flow!
My first time listening to any music from Boogie…and Boy was I missing out. This is the best album since Nipsey Hustle Victory Lap. Each verse has meaning. Its introspective but not corny. The future is bright for dude.
Rainy Dayz was the first Boogie I have heard, was extremely enjoying it before Eminems new Machine Gun rap style came in to turn a chill track into some Anxiety induced song.
Being a fan of “Thirst 48 Pt. 2” I was prettyed hyped for the release of “Everything’s for sale” from the intro on track 1 I was already hooked, I thought the album had a good vibe and packed with honesty in every bar. Boogie tells his story well through 13 tracks. All the features were dope includes Ems controversial feature and choice of words, maybe some are just too harsh of critics or maybe some didn’t get or appreciate the wordplay but regardless I’ve seen more discussion on Ems verse than Boogies actual entire album which is a shame because it deserves its props and respect and his music videos should definitely be checked out also.
Awsome Project
Dope album!
He can definitely be proud of this album!
Most notable songs are Silent Ride, Rainy Days, Self Destruction, Swap Meet and Whose Fault.
Solid album
this ain’t it chief
boring af
Finally, a young artist flexing some creativity as opposed to sounding like every other so-called rapper. The production and the introspective lyrics are refreshing. Being different, if it includes quality, is a good thing. Youngsters take heed.
Very solid debut album, respect
Very solid debut, respect
Boogie’s boo.bie is for sale. That’s for sure.
Love this album
dope
Aoty so far
Stop playing, this Boogie.