Entertainment News – Herald Democrats

Ab-Soul’s “Herbert” (Top Dawg Entertainment) Ab-Soul’s “Herbert” is full of messages—voicemails from his praying grandmother, encouraging clips from his inner circle, and more. But it’s the rapper’s reflections on himself and his life that define his latest project, making it the acclaimed lyricist’s most beautifully vulnerable to date. “Herbert” is named after the man behind the Ab-Soul rap personality, born Herbert Anthony Stevens IV. The music brings Ab-Soul back to his childhood, like on Kal Banx-produced “Dutch,” where he recounts remembering songs by 90s duo Kriss Kross and dialing in “freestyles” for an Internet audience via AOL dial-up . Now, with the release of his fifth album, the 35-year-old finds the music just as compelling, but not nearly enough. “Must work hard in the paint / Must ride night when they call it a day / All work, no play, raising the ball and the chain,” he raps. On the title track, “Herbert,” Ab-Soul digs deeper, examining his burdens—from contracting the rare and painful Stevens-Johnson syndrome at age 10 to dealing with complications now decades later. “The ophthalmologist said I needed new corneas/I needed those more than the coroner,” he rapped celebrating his survival. Maybe that’s what makes this Ab-Soul album stand out. Despite all the darkness—depression, death, and more—Ab-Soul finds a reason to live, as frontman Zacari sings on the mantra-like “Do Better.” Guest Jhené Aiko brings her ethereal energy, singing along with Ab-Soul as he exposes his soul in “On the Wild Side.” Other guests included Big Sean, who delivered the famous line on “Go Off,” and Joey Bada$$ on the lyrical “Moonshooter.” Ab-Soul says “they’ll never understand Herbert Anthony,” but his latest release certainly brings fans closer.