Reynand Wu
Isaiah Rashad has officially revealed the complete tracklist and accompanying artwork for his forthcoming album, It’s Been Awful, ahead of its scheduled release next month. This highly anticipated project marks Rashad’s return, serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 effort, The House is Burning, and is slated to drop on May 1 via a joint release from Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Warner Records. The album features a robust 16 tracks, including the recently released lead single "Same Sh!t," and boasts a carefully curated selection of collaborators, most notably frequent musical partner SZA and alt-pop sensation Dominic Fike, alongside emerging talent Julian Sintonia.
The Genesis of It’s Been Awful: A Long-Awaited Return
The announcement of It’s Been Awful has been met with significant excitement from fans and critics alike, marking a pivotal moment for the Chattanooga, Tennessee native. Following the success of The House is Burning, which garnered widespread praise for its introspective lyricism and signature blend of Southern-fried soul and laid-back hip-hop, the anticipation for Rashad’s next move has steadily built. His previous album, released after a five-year hiatus from 2016’s The Sun’s Tirade, solidified his unique position within the contemporary rap landscape, known for his distinct vocal delivery, vulnerable storytelling, and nuanced production choices. The title It’s Been Awful itself suggests a deeply personal and potentially challenging journey since his last offering, hinting at the introspective depth fans have come to expect from Rashad.
The album artwork, unveiled simultaneously with the tracklist, typically plays a crucial role in setting the tone for an artist’s project. While the specific visual details of the It’s Been Awful artwork were not explicitly detailed beyond its revelation, Rashad’s previous album covers have often been minimalist yet evocative, reflecting the introspective nature of his music. For instance, The House is Burning featured a poignant image that resonated with themes of home, personal struggle, and resilience. It is anticipated that the new artwork will similarly provide a visual prelude to the album’s thematic content, offering fans an initial glimpse into the sonic and emotional landscape Rashad intends to explore.
Dissecting the Tracklist: Features and Familiar Collaborations
The 16-song tracklist for It’s Been Awful promises a comprehensive artistic statement from Rashad. The full sequence of tracks is as follows:
- The New Sublime
- M.O.M
- Same Sh!t
- Boy in Red (feat. SZA)
- Supaficial
- Scared 2 Look Down
- Happy Hour
- Do I Look High? (feat. Julian Sintonia)
- Ain’t Givin’ Up
- GTKY
- Cameras (feat. Dominic Fike)
- Act Normal
- 10 States Away
- Nuthin 2 Hide
- Superpwrs
- 719 Freestyle
Among the most noteworthy inclusions is "Same Sh!t," which served as the album’s lead single. Its release provided an early indication of the album’s sonic direction, often characterized by Rashad’s signature blend of melodic flows over hazy, atmospheric beats. The track’s reception offered a preliminary gauge of fan enthusiasm, setting a positive precedent for the full project.
The collaboration roster, though concise, is impactful. The presence of SZA on "Boy in Red" immediately captures attention. This marks the sixth time Rashad and SZA have joined forces, underscoring a remarkably prolific and creatively symbiotic partnership. Their previous collaborations, including "West Savannah" (from Cilvia Demo), "Ronnie Drake" (also Cilvia Demo), "Stuck in the Mud" (from The Sun’s Tirade), "Pretty Little Birds" (from SZA’s Ctrl), and "Score" (from The House is Burning), have consistently been highlights in both artists’ discographies. These tracks often showcase a unique chemistry, blending Rashad’s grounded rap narratives with SZA’s ethereal R&B vocals, creating emotionally resonant and sonically rich compositions. Their enduring artistic relationship, rooted in their shared TDE affiliation, suggests a comfort and understanding that allows for genuine creative exploration, making "Boy in Red" a highly anticipated track.
Dominic Fike’s feature on "Cameras" introduces an intriguing dynamic to the album. Fike, known for his genre-fluid approach that incorporates elements of alternative rock, pop, and hip-hop, has rapidly risen to prominence through his distinctive sound and charismatic presence, further amplified by his acting role in HBO’s Euphoria. His inclusion on It’s Been Awful suggests Rashad’s willingness to experiment with broader musical palettes and could introduce a new sonic texture to his established sound. Fike’s often raw and emotionally charged delivery could complement Rashad’s introspective style, potentially leading to a track that blurs genre lines and explores new expressive territories.
Julian Sintonia, featured on "Do I Look High?", represents an "up-and-comer," indicating Rashad’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent alongside established stars. This aligns with a tradition within hip-hop of artists using their platforms to introduce new voices, fostering a sense of community and artistic discovery. While less widely known than SZA or Fike, Sintonia’s involvement suggests a fresh perspective that Rashad likely found compelling for the album’s narrative or sonic tapestry.
Artistic Inspirations and Sonic Landscape
In an interview with VICE conducted last year, Isaiah Rashad offered profound insights into the creative wellspring for It’s Been Awful, citing an eclectic mix of influences that underscore his genre-bending ambitions. He specifically mentioned OutKast, Prince, and Fousheé as key inspirations, alongside Atlanta-based artists PLUTO and BunnaB.
Rashad articulated a particular resonance with OutKast’s seminal albums Stankonia (2000) and The Love Below (2003). This is a significant revelation, as both albums are celebrated for their groundbreaking experimentalism and refusal to conform to traditional hip-hop norms. Stankonia pushed the boundaries of Southern hip-hop with its psychedelic soundscapes, socially conscious lyrics, and genre-defying production, while The Love Below, Big Boi and André 3000’s dual album, saw André 3000 delve almost entirely into an avant-garde blend of funk, jazz, and pop. Rashad’s alignment with these projects suggests a desire for similar creative liberation and a commitment to sonic innovation, moving beyond conventional rap structures to explore more expansive musical territories. This influence implies that It’s Been Awful may feature unexpected sonic twists and a rich tapestry of sounds that pay homage to OutKast’s legacy of pushing artistic boundaries.
Prince’s influence, specifically the track "If I Was Your Girlfriend," further illuminates Rashad’s artistic direction. "If I Was Your Girlfriend," from Prince’s 1987 album Sign o’ the Times, is a masterclass in emotional complexity and gender fluidity, exploring themes of jealousy, desire, and the blurred lines of intimacy through a unique narrative perspective. Rashad’s prolonged engagement with this song ("I’ve been having ‘If I Was Your Girlfriend’ on repeat for 2-3 months") indicates a deep appreciation for its emotional depth and lyrical nuance. This suggests that It’s Been Awful could delve into intricate emotional landscapes, exploring relationships, identity, and vulnerability with a similar level of candidness and artistic sophistication. Prince’s legendary ability to blend genres—funk, R&B, rock, pop—also resonates with Rashad’s own genre-fluid approach.
The inclusion of Fousheé, PLUTO, and BunnaB as inspirations highlights Rashad’s engagement with contemporary and emerging artists who are pushing sonic boundaries. Fousheé, an artist known for her distinctive vocal style and genre-blending sound that incorporates R&B, rock, and alternative elements, represents a modern voice that champions artistic authenticity. Her influence, alongside that of Atlanta’s PLUTO and BunnaB, suggests that Rashad is drawing from a diverse pool of current talent that values unique expression and innovative sound design. This demonstrates an artist who is both rooted in foundational influences and attuned to the evolving sounds of the present.
Rashad’s own description of the album’s sound encapsulates this rich array of influences: a "sultry southern mix mixed with a deep sense of intimacy. Everything from twangy rock and psychedelia to tender intimacy to the kind of trunk-rattling you’d only hear down south." This vivid portrayal promises an album that is simultaneously deeply personal and expansively experimental. The "sultry southern mix" speaks to his roots, combining the warmth and soulfulness characteristic of Southern music. "Twangy rock and psychedelia" point to adventurous sonic textures, possibly incorporating guitar-driven elements or expansive, mind-bending soundscapes. The juxtaposition of "tender intimacy" with "trunk-rattling" highlights the album’s dynamic range, capable of both delicate, vulnerable moments and powerful, bass-heavy anthems that resonate with the energetic traditions of Southern hip-hop. This description paints a picture of an album that is complex, multi-layered, and deeply immersive.
The TDE/Warner Records Dynamic and Creative Control
The album’s release through TDE/Warner Records also sheds light on the label dynamics at play. Isaiah Rashad has been a cornerstone artist for Top Dawg Entertainment, a label renowned for fostering unique talent and maintaining a high standard of artistic integrity, famously home to Kendrick Lamar, SZA, ScHoolboy Q, and others. Rashad’s statement that "Top [Dawg] made compromises for the creativity on this one, so I appreciate it" is particularly insightful. This suggests a level of artistic negotiation or an expanded degree of creative freedom granted to Rashad for It’s Been Awful. In an industry often dictated by commercial pressures, a label’s willingness to "compromise for creativity" underscores a strong belief in the artist’s vision and an environment that prioritizes artistic expression over strict commercial formulas. This collaboration with Warner Records, a major global label, further expands Rashad’s reach while maintaining the artistic credibility associated with TDE. The partnership aims to leverage Warner’s extensive distribution and marketing capabilities to bring Rashad’s intricate sound to an even broader audience.
The Broader Impact and Anticipation
It’s Been Awful is poised to be more than just another album release; it is a significant cultural event for fans of introspective hip-hop and genre-bending artistry. Isaiah Rashad has cultivated a loyal following drawn to his authenticity, his willingness to explore difficult themes, and his consistent delivery of high-quality, thought-provoking music. The album title itself, "It’s Been Awful," suggests a narrative arc of struggle and eventual triumph, or perhaps a meditation on challenging experiences, which aligns with Rashad’s history of using his music as a vehicle for personal reflection.
Industry analysts and music enthusiasts will be closely watching how It’s Been Awful performs, both critically and commercially. Its success could further solidify Rashad’s status as a leading voice in contemporary hip-hop, capable of bridging the gap between traditional Southern sounds and innovative, experimental approaches. Moreover, the album’s ambitious sonic palette and diverse collaborations could influence future trends within the genre, encouraging other artists to explore broader musical horizons. For TDE, It’s Been Awful represents a continued commitment to nurturing unique talent and maintaining its reputation as a label that prioritizes artistic vision.
The anticipation surrounding May 1 is palpable. Fans are eager to delve into the narrative woven across 16 tracks, to unpack the lyrical intricacies, and to experience the "sultry southern mix" that Rashad has meticulously crafted. With a tracklist that promises compelling collaborations and a sound influenced by icons like OutKast and Prince, It’s Been Awful is set to be a profound artistic statement, further cementing Isaiah Rashad’s legacy as one of hip-hop’s most compelling and authentic storytellers.
