When Dave East first came onto the scene with the Black Rose mixtape, reviews about him were, simply put, mixed. It’s not that he couldn’t spit — to the contrary, he had a most impressive lyrical flow — but, rather, he didn’t seem to have an image that projected his ability to become a superstar. He was grimy, he was ordinary — he was, honestly, little more than an around-the-way guy, despite a co-sign from the legendary Nas.
With Survival, his actual studio debut, East proves that he’s learned a ton from the road paved by spotty mixtapes.
Over the course of 20 tracks, East lets the super-tight production guide him through the marathon (and, of course, there’s a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle with “The Marathon Continues”) that is his album. The guest appearances are well-utilized and don’t dominate any of the tracks — East is equally yoked with everyone from OGs (like Nas and Rick Ross) to up-and-comers (Ash Leone). Hell, he even manages to make Jacquees sound good.
But East does best when he goes deep and introspective. Over a boom-bap sound that’s almost stereotypically Old New York, Dave East trades bars with the aforementioned Ash Leone on “Daddy Knows,” and demonstrates that his first priority is none other than his daughter, Kairi, whose voice is the first we hear on the track before East roars, “Ain’t nothing cooler than being your dad/I could be mad at the world, soon as I see you, I’m glad/For you, I go hard, can’t tell me, Dave, you need to relax/Daddy chasing a bag.” References to Nas abound in this track — both a hat-tip to “Daughters” and a slip of “The World Is Yours” let the listener know that his Mass Appeal capo is not far from his mind — but it, somehow, works.
The album does fall short in a few places, though — most notably on “What’s Goin’ On,” which features Fabolous. Sure, the lyrics slap — when he’s not on some bullshit, Fab is one of the best to come from New York City — but the beat is reminiscent of Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas-era Miami Vice, with lo-fi production that crosses the line from artistic into hokey. And “On Sight,” which features Ty Dolla $ign, seemed specifically written with the intent to be “the single” from the album, and it just sounds like East is trying too hard.
Overall, however, Survival reveals the grind indeed pays off and with continued focus, East will continue to deliver more standout projects.
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Damn this gotta be two months old and just now we’re getting a review? LOL, get back to posting more about Wack 100.
Respect everything East does….
What a lazily done review! Very poor indeed! Sounded as if the reviewer didn’t even listen to the album in its entirety.
This is the worst album review ever written.
Dave East nasal voice is mad annoying to me
Dave East’s nasal voice is mad annoying. Sounds like he he rapping with a cold
I give it 2/5. The song Baby is ruined by his voice change effect, and many other potentially good songs I can barely listen to because of 30-60 second skits. Lyrics were nothing special but not horrible, I just feel like I’ve heard all of them from his previous work. Can barely hear the passion in his voice compared to previous work. Overall very unimpressed and I had high hopes.
?????
I give a 5/5. A fitting debut for a man with the voice of Meth and the flow of a QB legend
The voice of meth? U must be smokin tical!
A solid debut
Wow 4/5 ? Come on son
Dope album
THIS JOINT SLAPS
THIS IS A MILD DISAPPOINTMENT. THE ALBUM IS BLOATED, HAS POOR SEQUENCING, AND FEELS LIKE 2 DIFFERENT ALBUMS SHUFFLED IN A PLAYLIST. DAVE HAD ALL THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS ON HERE AS THERE ALOT OF GOOD SONGS, BUT AS A BODY OF WORK, HE CLEARLY MISSED THE MARK
East in the most lyrical mc out since k dot dropped s80
Great Album. Agree witht he score. Dave East came with it for his debut album.
Dave east doesnt dissapoint not one bit ! Keep droppin and show stoppin big dawg the sucess speaks for itself!
This was IMO a disappointment his flow an voice just not good
Dave East has a great flow and a great ear fro production. Solid project overall
I just can’t stand his voice ??
average album imo
This album is fire, can’t believe Kendricks albums get 5/5 but ya’ll give this a low rating u buggin’ appreciate real hip hop, stop hatin’
Need a sign
The Marathon continues
Mama I made it
Baby
Wanna be a G
Underrated
Album of the year
Average at best
Lyrically East brings fire as usual….the album was strategically sequenced and illustrates a powerful narrative especially to fans who don’t know East as an artist. “I Need a sign” was deep , reverenced and he payed great respect to the lessons of life. Vocally his voice is notably and arguably one of the most distinct in hip hop since Notorious. What’s Goin On is definitely a radio summer banger and is a refreshing vibe that’s needed to mellow the heavy lyrical content on previous songs. Overall East delivers on each song with Survival and gives us a great picture of his life, in his words and most importantly with the perfect amount of elements: features, hooks, and production, to make a great album. 5 of 5.