DaBaby disappoints in “KIRK”

North Carolina native Charlotte rapper DaBaby, also known as Jonathan Kirk, released his second 2019 full-length studio album “KIRK” this past Friday, Sept. 27, featuring mainstream rappers such as Nicki Minaj and Chance The Rapper. After his recent comeup six month prior with “Baby on Baby,” the artist makes his success known, but fails to create a variety within his music.

Starting off the 13 track album, DaBaby doesn't waste any time in “INTRO” and jumps right into personal rap. The artist reminds listeners of where he came from, that his success was not handed to him and acknowledges the self changes he has made along the way. With lyrics referencing how the undiscovered artist could barely afford to make a sandwich, to now performing at the BET awards, DaBaby reminds us though he has made a quick come up, the loss of loved ones he has endeavored has helped shaped the rapper he is today.

Moving further down the album, DaBaby keeps the same vibe going in “BOP” with a brag like lyrics mentioning his ability to not only provide those who raised him, but his ability to fund his lavish lifestyle. However, the beat used in “BOP” is almost too similar to the one used in “Goin Baby” in his previous album “Baby on Baby.” Both tracks have an underlying flute like melody and sound identical in rhythmic pattern. One thing mainstream artists need to stray away from is sounding like everyone else, especially their own older releases when promising something new.

One of the multiple collaborations on the albums, “GOSPEL” featuring artist Chance The Rapper, seems comical at this point following Chance’s release of “The Big Day.” This most recent album release by Chance received a lot of hate from listerns claiming the album was too religious and only focused on God and the love he shares for his wife. The irony comes into play when DaBaby comes in with one of the first lines “this s**t right here sound like some gospel,” which is the vibe Chance is now known for, and leads into his verse discussing, once again, his recent come up.

Another popular collaboration on the album features Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper Nicki Minaj in “iPHONE,” where DaBaby expresses the common mainstream rap culture subject of toggling back and forth between partners. Sticking to the ideal pop culture relationship in the celebrity realm, with lyrics such referring to his current lover being unfaithful and his plans to switch to someone new, DaBaby sounds like just another man whose in it for the lust of it. Though Nicki Minaj comes in with the same idea of leaving her current man for another, she focuses on the reasoning behind it.

Overall, DaBaby has released an album we have already heard before. Almost every song discusses his newfound success and includes similar beats found on his previous album. For someone who gloats so much about his lavish lifestyle, one would think he can find the time to focus on something new.

Rating: 2/5