Danny Brown
Uknowhatimsayin¿
[Warp]
Rap’s resident oddball returns, as the ever-eccentric Danny Brown drops his fifth studio album to cap off a decade of fascinating releases which have seen the 38-year-old Detroit native carve out a niche for himself in the hip-hop landscape, after years spent struggling to find his spot.
Brown’s life story has drawn listeners in for years – having spent his early twenties drug dealing and incarcerated in his hometown while unsuccessfully trying to make a name for himself in the rap game, he finally made waves at the age of 30 with second studio album XXX in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since, dropping a series of uniquely experimental albums in Old and Atrocity Exhibition and solidifying his status as one of the most creative artists of his genre as well as undoubtedly one of its best characters.
Uknowhatimsayin¿ is another gem in Brown’s impressive discography yet it differentiates itself immediately from its predecessors with its laid-back vibe coming as a direct contrast to the rapper’s signature manic style, preferring stripped down, old school beats to the frenzied electro production of previous records. As such, it’s by far the most easily accessible album of Brown’s career and hopefully one which can identify a new audience for him as well as satisfy his devoted cult following.
While the production may be dialled back, the same can’t be said for Brown’s limitless imagination which retains its unrivalled wit and charm as the rapper drops bars to rival his best work throughout these 30 blistering minutes.
Words: Andrew Lambert
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