Isaiah Rashad
Who says new school southern rappers can't rap? Isaiah Rashad, Top Dawg Entertainment's, Tennessee raised, signee dispels that notion. On his debut EP "Cilvia Demo" (named after one of his cars) Isaiah is rhyming with honesty and a sense of history. On the project Mr. Rashad exhibits the skill of a seasoned vet with the freshness of a young emcee. The project is full of references about sex, drugs and life in the south, but done so eloquently over such melodic, soulful backdrops even the harshest words can be considered "easy listening". While coming up a little shallow on the depth side, Rashad's ability to craft music that is related on the human level is second to none. Covering topics that have been rehashed time and again there never seems to be a lack of originality.
Being billed as a "poor-man's Kendrick Lamar" is something other artists would be proud of, but Isaiah Rashad's undeniable potential make that a bit of an undersell. Being able to conceptualize use of the n-word ("Ronnie Drake), be introspective (R.I.P. Kevin Miller), or going bar for bar with is high profile label-mates (Shot You Down) he succeeds. While the "Cilvia Demo" is no doubt on the slower side of things it never bores. Being the south's representative of arguably the most talented indie label in rap is a heavy weight to bare. But if this project is any indication than we should throw a couple more plates on the bench press sit back and watch.
Aaron "Uncanny" Phillips
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