Reynand Wu
Isaiah Rashad has officially unveiled the comprehensive tracklist and accompanying artwork for his highly anticipated new album, It’s Been Awful, ahead of its scheduled release next month. The project, slated to drop on May 1 via a collaborative effort between Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Warner Records, marks a significant moment for fans eagerly awaiting new material from the Chattanooga native. Comprising a substantial 16 songs, the album includes the recently launched single "Same Sh!t" and features a carefully curated, star-studded roster of collaborators, notably long-time musical partner SZA, the genre-bending alt-pop sensation Dominic Fike, and rising talent Julian Sintonia. This announcement provides concrete details for a project that has been the subject of considerable speculation and anticipation, serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 release, The House Is Burning.
Isaiah Rashad’s Journey: A Brief Retrospective
To fully appreciate the significance of It’s Been Awful, it is essential to contextualize Isaiah Rashad’s unique trajectory within the contemporary hip-hop landscape. Born Isaiah Rashad McClain, the artist first gained widespread attention for his introspective lyricism, soulful production choices, and distinctive vocal delivery, which often blurs the lines between rapping and melodic cadence. His journey began in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he cultivated a sound deeply rooted in Southern hip-hop traditions while simultaneously exploring broader sonic territories.
Rashad’s breakthrough came with his signing to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2013, a label renowned for its roster of critically acclaimed artists like Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and SZA. His debut TDE project, Cilvia Demo, released in 2014, immediately garnered critical praise. The EP was lauded for its raw honesty, intricate storytelling, and a sonic palette that felt both familiar and fresh. Tracks like "Heavenly Father" and "Ronnie Drake" showcased his ability to weave narratives of personal struggle, ambition, and existential musings against a backdrop of hazy, often melancholic, production. Cilvia Demo established Rashad as a vital new voice, setting high expectations for his subsequent releases.
Two years later, in 2016, Rashad delivered his debut studio album, The Sun’s Tirade. This project further solidified his artistic identity, expanding on the themes introduced in Cilvia Demo while demonstrating a greater command of his craft. The Sun’s Tirade was a sprawling, atmospheric work that delved deeper into his battles with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. It featured notable collaborations with fellow TDE artists and other respected names, including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Jay Rock, and Syd. Songs such as "Wat’s Wrong" (feat. Zacari & Kendrick Lamar), "Free Lunch," and "4r Da Squaw" became fan favorites, praised for their emotional depth and sonic richness. The album was a commercial and critical success, cementing Rashad’s position as one of TDE’s most distinctive talents.
However, following the success of The Sun’s Tirade, Rashad entered a period of extended hiatus, which spanned nearly five years. During this time, he publicly acknowledged his struggles with addiction and mental health challenges, providing candid insights into the personal battles that often informed his music. This prolonged break only amplified fan anticipation for his return.
His highly anticipated comeback arrived in 2021 with The House Is Burning. This album was a triumphant return, showcasing Rashad’s growth and resilience. It explored themes of self-reflection, recovery, and finding solace amidst personal turmoil. The album featured a diverse array of collaborators, including SZA, Lil Uzi Vert, Jay Rock, Smino, and 6LACK, demonstrating his continued ability to blend seamlessly with various artistic voices. The House Is Burning was met with strong reviews, with critics commending its vulnerability, sonic evolution, and Rashad’s renewed vigor. Its success underscored his enduring relevance and the deep connection he shares with his audience, setting the stage for the current announcement of It’s Been Awful.
Unpacking the Details: It’s Been Awful Tracklist and Features
The revealed tracklist for It’s Been Awful presents a meticulous construction of 16 tracks, hinting at a journey through Rashad’s latest thoughts and sonic explorations. The album opens with "The New Sublime," a title that suggests a fresh artistic beginning or a redefinition of beauty and grandeur within his musical universe. This is followed by "M.O.M," a concise title that could hold deeply personal significance.
The third track, "Same Sh!t," has already provided listeners with a taste of the album’s direction. Released as the lead single, it offered a glimpse into Rashad’s current lyrical style and production choices, setting expectations for the album’s overall tone.
A standout collaboration appears early on with "Boy in Red," featuring none other than TDE labelmate and frequent collaborator SZA. This track extends their prolific partnership, marking their sixth official collaboration. Their previous joint efforts, including "West Savannah," "Ronnie Drake," "Stuck in the Mud," "Pretty Little Birds," and "Score," have consistently been highlights in both artists’ discographies, celebrated for their undeniable chemistry and the emotional depth they evoke together. Fans have come to expect a unique synergy when Rashad’s laid-back delivery meets SZA’s ethereal vocals, and "Boy in Red" is poised to continue this tradition, potentially exploring themes of relationships, vulnerability, or introspection that are characteristic of their joint work.
The album continues with tracks like "Supaficial," "Scared 2 Look Down," and "Happy Hour," titles that suggest a mix of introspection, potential anxieties, and moments of relief or contemplation. Track eight, "Do I Look High?", introduces another collaboration with Julian Sintonia, an "up-and-comer" whose inclusion signals Rashad’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent and potentially introducing new sonic textures to his established sound.
Further into the album, tracks such as "Ain’t Givin’ Up" and "GTKY" (likely an abbreviation for "Get To Know You") suggest themes of perseverance and personal connection. "Cameras" brings in the highly anticipated feature from alt-pop star Dominic Fike. Fike, known for his eclectic blend of hip-hop, indie rock, and pop, offers a distinct sonic presence that could introduce an entirely new dimension to Rashad’s music. This collaboration could push Rashad into more genre-bending territory, aligning with his previously stated inspirations.
The latter half of the album features tracks like "Act Normal," "10 States Away," "Nuthin 2 Hide," and "Superpwrs," culminating in "719 Freestyle." The closing track, often a significant statement on Rashad’s albums, hints at a raw, unfiltered performance, potentially a nod to his origins or a direct address to his audience. The sequence of titles throughout the album suggests a narrative arc, possibly exploring themes of self-discovery, emotional navigation, and ultimately, a sense of liberation or self-acceptance.
While the specific album artwork has been referenced, the provided information does not include a detailed description beyond its revelation. Typically, Isaiah Rashad’s album art has been minimalist yet evocative, often featuring personal photography or stylized imagery that reflects the introspective and often somber yet hopeful tone of his music. The title It’s Been Awful itself suggests a cover that might be stark, emotionally charged, or perhaps ironically understated, mirroring the candid nature of his lyrical content.
Thematic and Sonic Explorations: Inspirations and Artistic Vision
Last year, in an insightful interview with VICE, Isaiah Rashad shed considerable light on the creative process and thematic underpinnings of his upcoming album, offering clues that now resonate deeply with the revealed tracklist and features. His discussion of key inspirations provided a roadmap to the sonic and lyrical landscape of It’s Been Awful.
Rashad cited an eclectic mix of influences, highlighting his broad artistic palate. He specifically mentioned Fousheé, an artist known for her distinctive blend of R&B, alternative, and rock elements. This choice of inspiration points towards Rashad’s continued exploration of genre fluidity and an interest in artists who defy easy categorization. Fousheé’s ability to infuse raw emotion into her diverse sound likely resonated with Rashad’s own artistic ethos.
Another significant influence Rashad acknowledged was Prince, specifically referencing the iconic track "If I Was Your Girlfriend." He noted having the song on repeat for months, which is telling. Prince’s music, particularly this song, is celebrated for its deep intimacy, sexual ambiguity, genre-transcending sound, and emotional vulnerability. This suggests that It’s Been Awful might delve into themes of relationships, identity, and profound personal connection with a similar level of raw honesty and experimental spirit that characterized Prince’s work. The "sultry southern mix" Rashad describes for the album could indeed be imbued with a Prince-esque sense of smooth, yet complex, emotionality.
Perhaps most revealing were Rashad’s comments on drawing inspiration from OutKast, specifically their groundbreaking albums Stankonia and The Love Below. Stankonia (2000) is revered for its fearless experimentation, blending hip-hop with psychedelic rock, funk, gospel, and techno, pushing the boundaries of what a rap album could be. The Love Below (2003), André 3000’s half of the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below double album, is a genre-defying masterpiece that leans heavily into R&B, funk, jazz, and pop, with very little traditional rapping. Rashad’s embrace of these particular OutKast albums strongly indicates a desire for artistic freedom and a willingness to explore sounds far beyond conventional hip-hop. This aligns perfectly with his 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’d only hear down south."
Breaking down this description, the "sultry southern mix" is a direct nod to his roots and the inherent soulful, often blues-infused, quality of Southern music. The inclusion of "twangy rock and psychedelia" showcases an adventurous spirit, suggesting guitar-driven elements, atmospheric soundscapes, and potentially distorted or altered sonic textures. "Tender intimacy" points back to the Prince influence and his own introspective lyrical style, promising deeply personal and vulnerable narratives. Finally, "trunk-rattling you’d only hear down south" assures fans that despite the experimental leanings, the album will still deliver the potent, bass-heavy rhythms characteristic of Southern hip-hop, ensuring its foundational connection to his genre.
Rashad also credited newer Atlanta artists PLUTO and BunnaB as inspiring the "tail-end part" of his project, further demonstrating his open-mindedness to contemporary sounds and his continued connection to the vibrant music scene of the South.
Crucially, Rashad mentioned, "Top [Dawg] made compromises for the creativity on this one, so I appreciate it." This statement highlights the significant artistic freedom he was afforded by his label, TDE. In an industry often driven by commercial pressures, a label’s willingness to "compromise for creativity" speaks volumes about the unique vision Rashad was able to execute for It’s Been Awful. This suggests an album that is unfiltered, deeply personal, and a pure reflection of his artistic desires, unconstrained by conventional expectations.
Timeline of the Album Rollout
The journey to It’s Been Awful has been characterized by a gradual build-up, a common strategy in modern music releases that leverages anticipation.
- Early Teases: Following the release of The House Is Burning in 2021, Rashad occasionally hinted at new music and ongoing creative processes, keeping his fanbase engaged.
- The VICE Interview (2023): The in-depth conversation with VICE last year served as the first significant public disclosure of the album’s thematic direction and influences. While an exact date isn’t provided in the original text, its timing allowed for a prolonged period of speculation and excitement based on his descriptions.
- "Same Sh!t" Release: The single "Same Sh!t" was released, providing a tangible preview of the album’s sound and serving as a concrete marker of the impending project. Its reception would have further fueled the anticipation.
- Official Announcement (April 2024): The current revelation of the full tracklist and artwork serves as the penultimate step in the rollout, providing fans with all essential details before the album’s drop.
- Album Release (May 1, 2024): The culmination of this carefully planned rollout, marking the official availability of It’s Been Awful to the public.
Implications and Fan Anticipation
The revelation of It’s Been Awful‘s tracklist and details has ignited significant excitement among Isaiah Rashad’s dedicated fanbase and the broader hip-hop community. His unique voice, combining introspective lyricism with a distinctive Southern sound, has carved out a niche that few artists occupy.
- Artistic Evolution: This album is poised to represent another significant chapter in Rashad’s artistic evolution. The described sonic blend of "twangy rock and psychedelia" with "tender intimacy" and "trunk-rattling" bass suggests a bold step towards genre fusion, potentially solidifying his status as a truly experimental artist within hip-hop. His willingness to draw from diverse inspirations like Prince and OutKast’s more avant-garde works indicates a continuous push against conventional boundaries.
- Impact of Collaborations: The features are particularly noteworthy. SZA’s continued involvement underscores their undeniable chemistry and the depth of their creative partnership, guaranteeing a track that will likely resonate deeply with fans. Dominic Fike’s inclusion is a strategic move that could broaden Rashad’s appeal to an alternative and indie-pop audience, while simultaneously introducing Fike’s fanbase to Rashad’s unique sound. The presence of Julian Sintonia also highlights Rashad’s role in nurturing new talent and keeping his sound fresh.
- Thematic Resonance: Given Rashad’s history of candidly addressing personal struggles, mental health, and addiction, the album title It’s Been Awful itself suggests a continuation of this vulnerability. Fans anticipate a deeply personal and emotionally resonant body of work that reflects his experiences since his last release, offering solace and connection to those who relate to his journey.
- TDE’s Diverse Roster: It’s Been Awful will further showcase the diverse artistic talents housed within TDE. Rashad’s distinct sound complements the varied styles of his labelmates, reinforcing TDE’s reputation as a powerhouse of quality and originality in music.
In conclusion, It’s Been Awful is not merely another album release; it represents the latest chapter in the compelling narrative of Isaiah Rashad. It’s a testament to his resilience, his unwavering artistic vision, and his continuous evolution as a musician. With its intriguing tracklist, star-studded features, and promise of a genre-bending sonic experience rooted in profound intimacy, the album is set to be a significant cultural event, eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike, poised to cement Isaiah Rashad’s legacy as one of the most compelling and authentic voices in contemporary music.
