For over a decade, Whitney Peyton has been releasing a steady stream of music while performing and collaborating with prominent artists like Big K.R.I.T, Tech N9ne, and Da Mafia 6ix. Though she’s been prolific and has crisscrossed the country on tours, the Philadelphia artist has yet to achieve any mainstream recognition. On Iridescent, her first release since 2016’s Firecracker, Peyton tries to pander to popular trends and muster a hit. The result is mall pop rap that lacks originality.
Iridescent starts off with “Do It Again,” a snazzy track featuring her longtime collaborator R.A. the Rugged Man and double-timed bars from Rittz. Rapping over an ominous beat, she indulges her party-girl persona and cranks up the silliness with lines about stealing a piñata and then filling it with vodka. There’s nothing with wrong being ridiculous and outrageous. But Peyton’s execution makes the track verge on self-parody.
Following the opening track, Peyton tries to get more personal with “Love You The Right Way.” Though it’s commendable that she’s trying to add more depth to her image, this track also highlights some of her worst lyricism. she aims for genuine romance with the cornball line, “when I am with you, I feel like I won the lottery.”
Much of Iridescent is composed of party music or aggressive flexes of bravado. Despite being only ten tracks, many ideas are recycled and repeated. “Where Have You Been?”, “Bounce,” and “Trippin” are all interchangeable. Peyton calls upon a long roster of guests to insert some much-needed energy. Unfortunately, most of them give scattered, unfocused performances. The pop song “IDK” has some bizarre sing-rapping courtesy of Cryptic Wisdom. However, Mega Ran spits a few good bars on the mid-tempo track “Summer.” With solid production and a palatable verse, “Summer” is easily the project’s highlight.
Peyton takes a stab at eclecticism and plays with different genres. But even when she’s rapping well, her songs lack polish. The rock anthem “Figured It Out” has a hook that sounds like it was plucked from any song blasting at Hot Topic. The canned pop-rock chorus overshadows the artist’s fairly decent verses, making the entire track a missed opportunity.
On the album closer “Flip Side,” featuring Passionate MC, Peyton doubles down on her outsider mentality. After complaining how critics focus on her pink hair, she raps, “Who cares what I look like? Who cares what your friends think?” There’s something commendable about having the attitude of a defiant rock-star. With some more craft and originality, Peyton could also have some actual hits.
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Holy shit those two tracks that are linked are terrible, it’s like a female unkle adams
Who tf is this and how much did she pay yall to put this up?
Also, we need 0 as a rating option.
Hahahaha goddamn rap is on some fucking garbage this generation
You wanna talk bad artist lets talk lil Wayne, niki Minaj, bahd bahbie(or wtf ever that dumbasses stage name is) or lil pump or literally anyone of his mumble rap trash crew. You wanna sit here and talk down on a smaller artist trying to make a name when she’s twice the artist then most the people that have been getting famous for 15+ years. Whitney is different and if she’s not your taste so be it but do not lump her in with the rest of this decaying industry.
Whitney Peyton is an incredible, raw talent. Her lyricism is unmatchable & her live performances are unforgettable! 5/5 rating here !
Solid Album, as always from Pey Pey
I think this is complete B.S, Whitney Peyton is a great artist. The writer of this article should attend one of her shows. They would feel the energy fill the venue. This album is great. Just because this writer didn’t like it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to it. So go out get the album and make your own choice.
Whitney peyton is twice the rapper most of the people you praise she may,be,different. But that’s hardly a bad thing in an industry of reruns and rip offs ill take the artist who does what she loves over the money grubbing trash all day
Apparently you need to be on at LEAST 2 different kinds of drugs; heavy alcohol; have at LEAST 6 felonies and 2-4 scandals involving murder, sex, or a drug ring. You also need at least 3 ghost writers, a manager paid for by the industry to corrupt your core beliefs and good values, and riding the coat tails if at least one major artist to make it in this industry. If not, they’ll slander everything you make that comes from you.
Then there’s us fans, the ones that appreciate artists like you that do it for the music and not the fame. The ones that truly believe in their work and have been given a gift of sharing their inner thoughts and feelings through music, including feelings deep down that most people can relate to and are afraid to speak on.
If you haven’t heard her come up from her first tracks to now, take your opinion and shove it up your fucking ass. This artist has more talent and has gotten almost all of her fanbase based on people who have seen her actually perform before they ever heard her music. She’s a better performing artist than just about any other rapper I’ve seen in the game.
So many people in this comment section getting paid to give good reviews. I refuse to believe anyone likes this stuff. It’s incredibly bad.
Nah fam
Whitney Peyton is amazing! I have seen her live 3 times, own every album and will continue to follow and support her for as long as she keeps making music. ????