{"id":9198,"date":"2026-05-14T12:21:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/isaiah-rashad-reveals-its-been-awful-tracklist-feat-sza-more-4\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T12:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:21:40","slug":"isaiah-rashad-reveals-its-been-awful-tracklist-feat-sza-more-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/isaiah-rashad-reveals-its-been-awful-tracklist-feat-sza-more-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Isaiah Rashad Reveals ‘It’s Been Awful’ Tracklist Feat. SZA & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Isaiah Rashad has officially unveiled the comprehensive tracklist and accompanying artwork for his highly anticipated new album, It’s Been Awful<\/em>, ahead of its scheduled release next month. The project, slated to feature 16 songs, marks a significant return for the Chattanooga, Tennessee native, serving as the long-awaited follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 effort, The House Is Burning<\/em>. Among the revealed tracks is the recently released single "Same Sh!t," which has already begun to set the tone for the album’s sonic landscape. The album also boasts a carefully curated selection of guest appearances, featuring frequent collaborator SZA, burgeoning alt-pop sensation Dominic Fike, and promising newcomer Julian Sintonia. This strategic blend of established and emerging talent signals a deliberate artistic direction for Rashad, poised to captivate his dedicated fanbase and attract new listeners alike.<\/p>\n

A Retrospective: Isaiah Rashad’s Journey to "It’s Been Awful"<\/strong><\/p>\n

The path to It’s Been Awful<\/em> is paved with a distinctive discography that has solidified Isaiah Rashad’s reputation as a nuanced storyteller and a master of atmospheric hip-hop. His career under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) began with the release of his debut EP, Cilvia Demo<\/em>, in January 2014. This project immediately garnered critical acclaim for its introspective lyrics, soulful production, and Rashad’s unique, often melancholic delivery. Tracks like "Heavenly Father" and "Ronnie Drake" (featuring SZA) introduced listeners to his raw vulnerability and ability to craft intricate narratives rooted in his Southern upbringing and personal struggles. Cilvia Demo<\/em> was lauded for its maturity and emotional depth, establishing Rashad as a vital voice within TDE’s celebrated roster, which includes Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Schoolboy Q. The EP peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200, a strong showing for a debut.<\/p>\n

Two years later, Rashad delivered his debut studio album, The Sun’s Tirade<\/em>, in September 2016. This album expanded upon the themes introduced in Cilvia Demo<\/em>, delving deeper into his battles with depression, addiction, and the pressures of fame. With features from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, SZA, and Syd, the album was a critical darling, praised for its cohesive sound, Rashad’s continued lyrical prowess, and its candid exploration of mental health. The Sun’s Tirade<\/em> was a commercial success, debuting at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and further cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop. Tracks like "Wat’s Wrong" and "Free Lunch" became fan favorites, showcasing his distinctive flow and the album’s lush, often hazy production.<\/p>\n

Following The Sun’s Tirade<\/em>, Rashad entered a period of relative quiet, leading to significant anticipation for his next full-length project. The silence was eventually broken with the release of The House Is Burning<\/em> in July 2021, nearly five years after its predecessor. This album was met with immense excitement, and Rashad openly addressed the personal challenges and creative hurdles that contributed to the lengthy hiatus, including renewed struggles with addiction and mental health. The House Is Burning<\/em> saw Rashad experimenting with a slightly more upbeat and diverse sound, while still retaining his signature introspection. It featured collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert, SZA, Jay Rock, 6LACK, and others. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 7 on the Billboard 200, his highest charting position to date, and receiving widespread critical acclaim for its honesty, growth, and polished production. Its lead single, "Lay Wit Ya," featuring Duke Deuce, demonstrated a more assertive and confident side to Rashad’s artistry.<\/p>\n

The upcoming It’s Been Awful<\/em>, arriving roughly three years after The House Is Burning<\/em>, continues Rashad’s pattern of measured, deliberate releases. This interval, while shorter than the previous one, still positions the album as a highly anticipated event for fans who have come to appreciate the depth and thoughtfulness embedded in each of his projects. The title itself, It’s Been Awful<\/em>, hints at a continuation of the candid self-reflection and emotional transparency that has defined his career, suggesting another deeply personal and resonant body of work.<\/p>\n

Dissecting the Tracklist and High-Profile Collaborations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 16-song tracklist for It’s Been Awful<\/em> reveals a carefully structured project, beginning with "The New Sublime" and concluding with "719 Freestyle," suggesting a journey through various emotional and sonic landscapes. The inclusion of "Same Sh!t" as the third track indicates its foundational role in setting the album’s tone. Released prior to the full album announcement, "Same Sh!t" provided an early glimpse into Rashad’s current artistic headspace, blending his characteristic laid-back delivery with intricate lyricism, serving as a powerful appetizer for the full meal.<\/p>\n

One of the most anticipated collaborations on the album is "Boy in Red" featuring SZA. This marks the sixth official collaboration between Isaiah Rashad and SZA, a partnership that has consistently yielded compelling results. Their previous joint efforts include "West Savannah" (from Cilvia Demo<\/em>), "Ronnie Drake" (from Cilvia Demo<\/em>), "Stuck in the Mud" (from The Sun’s Tirade<\/em>), "Pretty Little Birds" (from The House Is Burning<\/em>), and "Score" (from The House Is Burning<\/em>). Each collaboration has showcased a unique synergy between Rashad’s intricate flows and SZA’s ethereal vocals, often creating tracks that are both deeply emotional and sonically rich. Given SZA’s meteoric rise to global superstardom, particularly with the monumental success of her album SOS<\/em> and its accompanying Grammy wins and chart dominance, her presence on It’s Been Awful<\/em> is not just a testament to their enduring artistic bond but also a significant draw for a wider audience. Their shared history at TDE has forged a creative shorthand that allows them to push boundaries together, and "Boy in Red" is expected to be another highlight in their prolific partnership.<\/p>\n

Another notable feature comes from Dominic Fike on the track "Cameras." Fike, known for his genre-bending approach that fuses alternative rock, pop, and hip-hop, has garnered significant attention for his unique sound and charismatic presence. His debut album, What Could Possibly Go Wrong<\/em>, and his role in the hit HBO series Euphoria<\/em> have propelled him into the mainstream. Fike’s inclusion on It’s Been Awful<\/em> suggests Rashad’s continued openness to diverse musical textures and influences, aligning with the "twangy rock and psychedelia" sound he has previously alluded to. The collaboration with Fike could introduce Rashad’s music to a new demographic, while Fike’s distinctive melodic sensibilities could add an intriguing layer to Rashad’s established sound.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the guest appearances is Julian Sintonia on "Do I Look High?". As an "up-and-comer," Sintonia’s feature highlights Rashad’s commitment to showcasing new talent, a characteristic often seen within the TDE ecosystem. Providing a platform for emerging artists not only enriches the album’s sound but also reinforces Rashad’s position as an artist deeply connected to the evolving landscape of contemporary music. The relatively small but impactful roster of features underscores Rashad’s focus on his own narrative and artistic vision, ensuring that the collaborations serve to enhance, rather than overshadow, the album’s core message.<\/p>\n

Artistic Vision and Eclectic Inspirations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isaiah Rashad has consistently been an artist driven by a deep well of influences, and It’s Been Awful<\/em> appears to be no exception. In a VICE<\/em> interview last year, Rashad offered valuable insights into the creative wellspring for his new project, citing a fascinating array of artists: OutKast, Prince, and Foushe\u00e9, alongside emerging talents PLUTO and BunnaB from Atlanta. This diverse palette speaks volumes about the album’s potential sonic and thematic scope.<\/p>\n

Rashad specifically highlighted Foushe\u00e9 as "the biggest inspiration." Foushe\u00e9, an artist known for her unique blend of R&B, alternative, and rock influences, often delivers introspective and emotionally charged music. Her ability to traverse genres while maintaining a distinct artistic identity likely resonated with Rashad’s own desire to push beyond traditional hip-hop boundaries. Her impact could manifest in It’s Been Awful<\/em> through experimental vocalizations, unconventional song structures, or a heightened sense of raw, unfiltered emotion in Rashad’s delivery.<\/p>\n

Prince, a legendary figure renowned for his boundless creativity, genre-fluidity, and exploration of intimacy and sexuality, also served as a significant muse. Rashad mentioned having Prince’s "If I Was Your Girlfriend" on repeat for months. This particular track, celebrated for its bold narrative perspective and exploration of gender roles and desire, suggests that It’s Been Awful<\/em> might delve into themes of relationships, vulnerability, and personal identity with a depth and unconventionality reminiscent of Prince’s artistic fearlessness. The influence of Prince could infuse the album with a heightened sense of musicality, daring instrumentation, and a willingness to explore more sensuous or emotionally complex territories.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most tellingly, Rashad noted, "I\u2019m touching more [OutKast\u2019s] Stankonia<\/em> and The Love Below<\/em> more than anything else." These two albums are cornerstones of hip-hop history, celebrated for their groundbreaking experimentalism and refusal to conform. Stankonia<\/em> (2000) is a psychedelic, genre-bending masterpiece that fused Southern hip-hop with funk, rock, and electronic elements, while The Love Below<\/em> (2003), Andr\u00e9 3000’s half of the Speakerboxxx\/The Love Below<\/em> double album, was a daring departure into jazz, funk, pop, and R&B, with minimal traditional rapping. Channeling the spirit of these OutKast classics suggests that It’s Been Awful<\/em> will be a highly experimental project, embracing a wide range of musical styles and pushing Rashad’s artistic boundaries further than ever before.<\/p>\n

This ambition is further underscored by Rashad’s description of the album’s sound as 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\u2019d only hear down south." This vivid description paints a picture of a project that is deeply rooted in Southern musical traditions \u2013 the "trunk-rattling" bass that defines much of Southern hip-hop \u2013 but is also unafraid to explore the introspective, the psychedelic, and the tender. The mention of "twangy rock" further hints at a fusion of sounds that could surprise listeners, creating a rich tapestry that defies easy categorization. The "deep sense of intimacy" promises a continuation of Rashad’s characteristic vulnerability, allowing listeners to connect with his personal journey on a profound level. The inclusion of Atlanta artists PLUTO and BunnaB as inspirations also reinforces his connection to the vibrant and diverse contemporary music scene of his home region, suggesting fresh, cutting-edge influences.<\/p>\n

The Enduring Support of Top Dawg Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isaiah Rashad’s journey has been inextricably linked with Top Dawg Entertainment, a label renowned for its commitment to artistic integrity and fostering unique talent. The statement from Rashad that "Top [Dawg] made compromises for the creativity on this one, so I appreciate it," offers a significant glimpse into the collaborative process behind It’s Been Awful<\/em>. This suggests that Rashad had a strong, perhaps unconventional, artistic vision for the album, and that TDE, specifically its founder Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, provided the necessary support and flexibility to allow that vision to flourish.<\/p>\n

In an industry often characterized by commercial pressures and creative constraints, a label’s willingness to make "compromises for creativity" is a powerful endorsement of an artist’s direction. It underscores TDE’s long-standing reputation for empowering its artists to pursue their authentic voices, a philosophy that has been instrumental in the success of its entire roster, from Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking conceptual albums to SZA’s genre-defying R&B. This level of trust and creative freedom is crucial for an artist like Rashad, whose music thrives on introspection and experimentalism. It indicates that It’s Been Awful<\/em> is not just a collection of songs but a fully realized artistic statement, shaped by Rashad’s singular perspective with the full backing of his label.<\/p>\n

Anticipation and Broader Implications for Rashad’s Career<\/strong><\/p>\n

The announcement of It’s Been Awful<\/em> and its detailed tracklist has ignited a fresh wave of excitement among fans and critics alike. The three-year gap since The House Is Burning<\/em>, while not as extensive as his previous hiatus, has allowed anticipation to build, ensuring that the album will be met with considerable attention upon its release. For Isaiah Rashad, this album represents a pivotal moment in his career. Each of his projects has been a testament to his artistic evolution, marked by increasing self-awareness and musical exploration. It’s Been Awful<\/em> is poised to further solidify his position as one of hip-hop’s most distinctive and compelling voices.<\/p>\n

The album’s blend of established collaborators like SZA and Dominic Fike with emerging talents, coupled with Rashad’s ambitious artistic inspirations, suggests a project that aims for both critical acclaim and broader commercial appeal. If the album successfully integrates the diverse influences of OutKast’s experimentalism, Prince’s intimacy, and Foushe\u00e9’s genre-bending style into Rashad’s signature Southern sound, it could be a landmark release. It has the potential to expand his artistic palette, attract new listeners, and reinforce his reputation as an artist who consistently delivers depth, honesty, and innovation.<\/p>\n

In an era where album cycles are often short and artists are pressured for constant output, Rashad’s methodical approach, allowing significant time for personal growth and creative incubation between projects, sets him apart. This deliberate process often results in more cohesive and impactful bodies of work, and It’s Been Awful<\/em> is expected to continue this tradition. The album’s themes, hinted at by its title and Rashad’s previous works, are likely to resonate deeply with an audience that values authenticity and vulnerability in music. As the release date approaches, all indications point towards It’s Been Awful<\/em> being a profoundly personal, sonically adventurous, and ultimately rewarding experience for listeners, further cementing Isaiah Rashad’s unique and indispensable place in contemporary music.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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