Over the years, Maryland’s very own lyrical wonder Logic has balanced three personas: The fun-loving, lighthearted party rapper who features Gumby in his music videos, an uplifting positive artist full of encouragement and wisdom and an MC whose love Golden Age Hip Hop and lightening quick raps defines his sound. Slowly the first began to fade, leaving the remaining two in stark juxtaposition.
Five years, two albums and three mixtapes into his career, Logic’s supposed penultimate studio project has arrived, giving fans a clear picture of his creative vision. Filled with fast-paced rhymes, a heavy dose of positivity and a dash of harsh reality, the plainly titled Everybody further cements Logic’s role as the older brother to thousands of fans, steering him further away from the rap gods he wishes to emulate.
Listeners are immediately mosied down to the pulpit for the hour-plus-long sermon, beginning with the uptempo, instrument-filled lyrical baptism of “Hallelujah.” Dedicated Logic fans won’t be surprised by his present day rap gospel, as this transformation has been an ongoing process. “Made in the image of God, with a blunt in my mouth and a bitch on the side/Hold up, wait a minute my life need a massage, happy ending with a money menage,” he raps, going on to tell the story of an imperfect man and the racial issues standing in the way of his dreams.
With the right hand, Logic has continued to go the way his musical big brother Kid Cudi, preaching self-confidence as highlighted by the upbeat, Jamiroquai-esque “Confess,” which is anchored by a powerful tirade from Killer Mike. When it comes to the left palm, Logic has tried to hold on to those that embraced his raw, rugged style, although Everybody offers them little more than fallacies such as an out-of-place Juicy J feature overtop the whimsical beat of “Ink Blot.”
Not only does Everybody move Logic further away from the ‘90s rappers he admires, it also makes a very clear play for radio, evidenced from the venerable anti-suicide track “1-800-273-8255” featuring Teen Choice magnets Alessia Cara and Khalid. It’s personal, but far from profound, with a straightforward, melodic message urging listeners to choose life, that makes it harder to believe Logic’s claim that he’s “real as shit” on “America. With the title track, there’s surface race and equality convo to be had over a brooding beat with a bassline seemingly geared towards disrupting a speaker’s assembly. The lyrical dexterity is still there, but the subject matter is so focused on today’s sociopolitical issues that Everybody quickly fixates on – as Logic proclaims on the aforementioned “Ink Blot” – “trying to do what’s right.”
Much like Logic’s last album, the latest opus solicits a narrative in the form of numerous skits. Whereas The Incredible True Story featured tidbits about the creation of the album – an homage to A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders – Everybody is hosted by famed astrophysicist and B.o.B-ball buster, Neil deGrasse Tyson, who takes Logic’s friend Adam on an explorative trip through multitude of societal issues discussed on the project. It’s a noble concept that probably sizzled on paper but the 70-minute affair boasts of way too much talky talk and wastes precious moments Sir Robert Bryson could have utilized to cement his case to be considered on the new age Mt. Rapmore with Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Drake. Not to mention a record like “Anziety” gets lost in its ambitions to be an epiphanized teaching tool but comes off as intentionally positive album filler.
Hip Hop’s gatekeepers will say that timing and the repetitive nature of Logic’s lyrics hurts Everybody but for Logic’s younger core fan base, especially those going through struggles of their own, his latest work will be the catharsis to keep them from plunging off the deep end.
I fuck with the messages in this one, but the execution was wack. If the music isn’t good, then no ones gonna listen *kanye shrug*
I really don’t get what the fuss is about this dude…
3/5 He has identity issues. You’re biracial. We get it. On a song, he was venting, not rapping, for like 5 straight minutes about it. Bro, I ain’t trying to hear all that. Go back to the “Under Pressure” formula because that album was fire.
Gave it a couple listens. It’s not for me
logic is only good at rapping fast, and that’s all, he isn’t a lyricist ,honestly I can’t stand he tryin so hard to act like he is on JCOLE/K.DOT level, but rhyming some “good” “hood” “would” “could” etc. all the time.
Descent.
Descent to where? Madness?
Again, pure garbage from a below average pretentious piece of shit. Everything on this album makes you cringe.
The album’s production and the strory is awesome. It is better to hear about the issues of our world today than listen to music that has no meaningful purpose. I don’t think this album was about showing he can rap because he has shown his audience in the past that he is well rounded as an artist and can sure rap his ass off. The album more more about him expressing himself and his opinions on today’s issues in society
“…expressing himself and his opinions on his bi-racialness…” Fixed
This shit solid, nothing special, however, if Kendrick had put this same exact album out you fan boys and the authors on this website would have given it a 5/5 and proclaimed this album of the year and a piece of art. Begin being objective people. Peace
That doesn’t make any sense. Kendrick and Logic have different styles. So, Kendrick would not have put this exact album out.
It does make sense cuz Kendrick’s album has a handful of mediocre tracks and DX still gave it a near perfect rating.
I loved it because it talked about people and how they are different and that are special in their own ways. I say this album was pretty dope (Of course not as good as Under Pressure) and I like almost all the songs, I like the beats and the instrumentals and I thought it was a great album. The only thing I didn’t like about it is that there was to much talking in between the songs kinda like The Incredible True Story, so when he works on his new album he should kinda do it like Under Pressure and have not a lot of talking cause this is an album not a audio movie. But still very dope album, good meaning, good instrumentals, Rattpack all day! 5/5
Its not his best work. Great features. His last album best be better than this.
Whoever wrote this review is full of shit. This is a solid album with a deep message for humanity. The lyrics alone are a 10/10 and the delivery is masterful. Its fucked up how you praise black imbeciles rappin about low life shit…but critique the shit out of real artist with a real message. What is wrong with you?
Its only blacks that hate Logic
what a tard….
Logic is half Black you idiot.
Huge Disappointment on all levels
Will admit that he did wear out the whole biracial thing a bit but that’s because of the changing times with everybody becoming more self-righteous. May not be the best but still a very powerful message in the entirety of the album.
I don’t get this review at all. Before this album I wasn’t the biggest Logic fan actually. Always seen his talent but never felt his music. After listening to this album ha made me a fan. The album is really good, at least a 4, if if it’s a 5 only time will tell. 5 are for classics only. Hiphopdx don’t like skits? well the skits are beautiful and gives the album a special touch, and the track Anziety is my favorite on the album together with America and Mos Definitely. Great album. Peace.
Crazy. This album was dope. Second best album of the year and honestly, I’ve given this more listens than DAMN. Maybe he needs to mumble more and dumb it down for yall.
This was pretty wack. The beats are extremely lame and the lyrics are like some “Macklemore after 3 redbulls” shit.
first thing you mentioned were the beats….
An identity crisis mixed with Twitter politics and preaching destroyed this album. The ” point ” was over made by the third track. After listening to it over a few times you can tell logic is surrounded by yes men. No play back value of any kind. 2/5
Logic doesnt talk about bi- racial issues until track 5. The first 4 tracks are regular Logic songs. Nice try, Asshole
If everyone just admitted they hated the album it would bring everyone together more. LMFAO
It’s very good album if you are a hardcore logic fan but it was well in production value and has some nice features in the album my personal favs are ” EVERYBODY”, “BLACK SPIDER-MAN”, that “1-800” song and “Anziety”
I frigging love the album. Its only negative are some narratives are too long at the end of tracks!
Ignore your stance on the issues. As an album/project/theme, it is excellent.
I miss the old Logic… and this is apparently his last album.
I’ve said this before but fuck it let’s say it again. He talked an awful fuckin lot, and there was a little rap every now and then. He made it seem like a long-ass speech with rap skits. I expected a lot more from him, especially after listening to The Incredible True Story.
What the FUCK is wrong with talking?
It just has a major difference with “rapping”.
The topics he touched on the album were to heavy for him. The songs lacked a degree of depth in their approach, but production wise, he did a good job. 3.6 is a fair rating on an artist who showed much promise but came short of an excellent delivery. Oh and Kendrick is overrated 😉
Yup Good good nice comment
3.6 might be a little too generous, and I consider myself a fan. It’s definitely overproduced – there’s hardly any slow or mid-tempo songs. The Billboard Top 40 attempt tracks (National Suicide Hotline, Black Spiderman) aren’t even all that radio-worthy. As much as I applaud Logic for taking some risks and bared his soul, it’s not really an enjoyable album.
The consistence in terms of concept is way off and Logic’s rhyme are too straightforward and simplistic. Truly, his worst effort thus far even with all that gay ass positivity bullshit.
He just trying to help his fans doing a hard life BITCH CAN’T YOU SEE
You mad that this corny ass white boi got a lower rating than future hendrix dirty sprite living legendary? Why you mad you hipster nerd faqs.
BITCH SHUT YO TRAP
the album is alright but i expected more
One of the most lyrical albums ever
Yer nat retard
If this album could be summed up into one word it would be “corny”. The most popular song, “1-800-273-8255”, is a half ass shot at relating to someone with depression, written by someone who has never (as far as I can tell) actually experienced being depressed. Furthermore, songs like “Black SpiderMan” and “Everybody” just reek of corniness, and just seem like they’re directed at children (I understand the message is good, but it’s done in such a watered-down way that it just isn’t very groundbreaking at all). On top of that, most of them are extremely cliché, such as “America” where Logic talks about Donald Trump, and surprise, surprise, he doesn’t like him (I know, a rapper who makes a song about how they don’t like Trump, crazy right?). In general, coming from the guy who wrote “Under Pressure”, which was an incredible look into the life of violence and poverty that he grew up in, this album is an utter disappointment. Some of the beats and songs are catchy, and the overall message is good, but it is delivered so poorly that I couldn’t get myself to give this album better than a 2/5.
Didn’t really like the album, sounds too pop for my taste. No thanks, his older stuff is great.
Yeah i agree with you on so many things in this review (speaking as a logic fan off coarse) but to be fair he couldnt be incredible forever !
While I am a logic fan, I did enjoy the album but I have to agree with a few things:
1. Logic does talk too much on Take It Back. It should have been at least 2/3 rapping and 1/3 explaining his own heritage, not the other way around. He presses on his own heritage a lot, and it feels like an overkill. Im not as much bothered by it on Anziety, it makes Logic feel as much human as we all are and I think that it was a great way to not be overly-snobby or overly preachy. It gives us the feeling that he does not have all the answers, but merely is giving us our vision. Which brings us to point 2
2. While I really respect his messages, one of the few rappers to actually talk about reall stuff in the modern era, I agree that it is too preachy from time to time, or at least, it preaches on several tracks in the same way on the same topic: racism is the problem, love is the answer. While I do not expect Logic to offer solutions, I agree that instead of mentioning ‘to love each other’ every other time it would have been better if he actually highlighted situations other then his own in America, stories of people who did not have the chances they deserved to have had due to their skin color or sexual orientation. I feel that it would have been a better way for the audience to be genuine empathic. No one is going to change their world views by telling them to ‘just love each other’ over and over.
The overall experience of the album was good for me though: I like the overall story of Atom who dies and goes back to earth. Good production, nice flows, somewhat repetitive, but a little more rapping and a little less speeching would have made this 9/10.
For now Id say its a 6.8/10
look, i get the message and positivity he’s trying to spread. it’s a great thing, really. but as a logic fan i was expecting some incredible production and amazing bars. what i got was an hour and a half of “white this, black that”. i get that’s the whole message of the album, but damn, i want to be able to listen to some music without getting a message crammed down my throat every 3 seconds. i haven’t even bothered to check if there’s a single track that DOESN’T talk about social injustice because they all say the same shit. not to say i’m not an advocate for social justice, but holy shit, man. i can’t even enjoy the music because the lyrics have a recycled repetitiveness that may not be exact word-for-word copies but every song says almost the same thing. i feel like every project up until now has been spot on lyrically, production wise, and with the message. The Incredible True Story was in my thoughts a fucking masterpiece. the idea of space travel and being good to the earth, but at the same time having every song be different with each it’s amazing beat and lyrics. this, feels so, damn, repetitive. if you want to send a message of peace, love, and positivity, don’t even talk about social injustice in the first place. talking about it over and over and over only reinforces the fact that it even exists in the modern day. take a step back, logic, and do what you used to do best.
He definitely dwells on race, but I think he comes with a novel and deeply personal point of view. He talks about how he got racism from white AND black people, and how oversimplified, entrenched views on race on both sides are counterproductive. I bet a lot of hardcore SJWs would dislike his messaging, but that’s why they need to listen to this album as much as anyone.
Terrible production and annoying flow. This deserves a straight 0 but since 1 is the lowest possible option so be it.
that is your opinion though. it did reach #1 for a reason.
Good message with the album, part of it spoke to me personally, which was cool. I just wish Logic would go back to the “Under Pressure” style of spitting bars instead of just venting about his life for 5 minutes like on “Take it back.”