Donkey Kong

Dude with No Name releases his highly anticipated album titled, “Other”. With only a year removed from his last project, “The No Name Wonder”, Dude waste no time at all picking up where he left off delivering a home run with his new album. Unlike The No Name Wonder, Other is entirely produced by A.D.D. Beats and isn’t a departure from his display of lyricism. The chemistry between the two can easily be seen whether you find yourself drifting in thought to A.D.D.’s production or how Dude flows effortlessly on the tracks, there’s something to be said about the duo.

The 14 track album opens with “Daily Routine”, which gives you an idea of what is to expect from the rest of the album. Dude draws you in immediately bringing you into his spectrum of ideas and overcoming society woes when you are known as the other. Seamlessly moving into motivating tune “Bow down”, you can close your eyes and visually see him rocking endless crowds. It’s surely a standout track of the album.

With every song easily holding its own it’s hard to say any track dominates one over another; because the great balance he has created, but with “Mirage” Dude displays why he is a magician with his ever-flowing lyrics and perfect timing . One of the clear singles, “Bon Appetite” Dude brings along E.R. and Taylor Jay the Rap goddess. The euphemism for the song is extremely clever with lines that he makes apparent “master chef I had some training/somewhere high up in the rankings/special prep ingredient/only few can serve this dish/with the perfect seasoning” and lines like “reason for this starvation/my stomach been feelin’ flobby/ don’t care who happen to see it/ eat you up in the lobby” The elegance of the record truly covers the rooted meaning and is definitely an ear pleaser.

The lead single “Donkey Kong” bears his misfortune about the game of relationships and the loose grip it presents. This is obviously a track everyone can identify with as Dude tells his tale of the motions we all go through, the heartache and the denial. The infallible thing about this record is the resilience and symmetry between down and out to confidence only measured by boulders and mountains. Lines like “forget a hoe/ima hit the club up and I’m takin 4/head back to the crib tryna get me some/once they open up their legs they can hit the door”. This is the anthem for the album and rightfully so due to the hard hitting lyrics and mind blowing production. Interludes are usually there for rappers to show off their rapping skills but Dude, ever so wisely, chooses to poke fun at mediocre rappers for their simple approach to the masses with “Yo Girl”. He jokingly does just that but better.

Jumping back to his natural position as an emcee “Epic Failure” bridges the pieces that most artist fail to do with their entire album. Dude breaks things down with such an introspective stance; he will be viewed as the next wave of tacticians among hip hop greats.

There is no such thing as coasting to the finish line for Dude with No Name. He continues to deliver with every track with an array of different styles and virtuoso rhymes. The energetic track “Sober” is proof of that. Even when he’s expected to do the norm he dishes out much more than you think. “Nothing” draws the same line as energy is concerned. The openness Dude has been giving you throughout the album becomes put on full presentation with “Role Models”. He leaves nothing out with talks of his childhood as a fatherless child and family issues that’s only discussed by a few. The boldness is well rewarded by A.D.D. Beats, who matches the tone exceptionally well.

It was only a matter of time before a track like “Supreme” was to appear. Again, expected but not predicable as Dude delivers a haymaker of a punch to all emcee’s. We may be witnessing a new era of hip-hop by the looks of this record. It’s nothing short of lyricism which Dude even gives a little room to showcase his bravado as a rapper. Escapism is a constant theme with this Album. The bonus track “Liberation” embodies that. In this ambitious up-tempo record which is only akin to Kid Cudi, it allows you to pump your fist and find your freedom. Surprise guest E.R. and Cardell Flare accompanies Dude for the record “Motto”. The features come through and hold their own. Giving listeners the motivation to go out there and achieve their dreams.

The album name “Other”, defiantly stands the test of its name. Dude is in a league of his own, forging a style that has yet to be seen by other artist. His mixture of realism, shame and doubt speaks volumes in an honesty we can only dream to tell ourselves. One thing to take away from this Album as well is we all are human. Not sure if, Other, is a premonition but it’s undeniably his entrance into the rap world.