The most talked about Migo of last year is here to keep the conversation going with the release of his newest album Father of 4. Offset forgoes the rest of the Migos on this project, making this album his first independent studio project ever. With the stage to himself, Offset uses Father of 4 to delve into several aspects of his personal history. With an array of features from J Cole to Gunna to his wife Cardi B, Offset gives us an album that is as much trap influenced as it is touching and introspective.

Offset opens the project with a slow and moving track entitled “Father of 4.” The song begins with the words of Big Rube, who sounds less like he’s rapping and more like he is talking to someone, maybe even himself, in a candid and honest sense. He denounces how the media has portrayed him, makes mention of rehab, and asserts himself as more than what the public sees him as. He is “A son, a brother, a husband, a father” and he is “More than this generic term ‘artist.’” This sets up not only Offset’s rap for the rest of the song, but the entire album as well. For the next 16 tracks, Offset acknowledges mistakes he’s made, his criminal past as a means of survival for himself and his children, his appreciation for his children, struggles with depression and mental illness, and celebrations of fame and the success and stability it has brought him.

Thematically and lyrically, Father of 4 is undeniably strong. Tracks such as “Father of 4” and “North Star” featuring Ceelo Green are shockingly poignant meditations on the regret, fatherhood, and the resiliency needed to get through it all. These are moments on the album where we also see some refreshing instrumentation and production, with the focus being less so on the catchiness of the beat and instead on the plucking of guitars, the ruminative piano playing, and the melodic “oohs” of background vocalists. These aspects of the production give a spotlight to Offset’s lyrics, which in moments like these on the project are what matter the most.

Despite the serious tone of the album, Offset still makes sure to work in tracks that are more trap based and party friendly. “Tats on My Face,” “Made Men” and “Legacy” featuring Travis Scott and 21 Savage are songs that are more braggadocios in their nature and the high hats and triplet flow make them more function friendly. These tracks are more in line with what most people would think of when describing the “Migos” sound. With a project that deals with such heavy subject matter, these tracks help to give the project a sense of familiarity to the audience, who have an expectation for what music made by a Migos member should sound like.

Although Offset does an array of interesting thing thematically, lyrically, and sonically with Father of 4, the album is plagued with the same problem that is rampant in most other Migos projects: it lacks the ability to sustain itself for more than about half an hour. After the eighth track “After Dark,” Father of 4 begins to sound homogenous. The production drags, the flow is repetitive, and Offset runs out of ways to discuss the themes of the album in a creative way. To put it simply, the album goes on for too long with little being added after the halfway mark.

Father of 4 is a boldly ambitious project from Offset. It sees him telling his own story and expressing his vulnerability in a way he has not done before. To see him open up to his audience is refreshing and at times on the album, even beautiful. Offset is onto something with this project. As someone who did not expect much from Offset outside of the classic Migos hit making formula, it was a pleasant surprise to see him go beyond the surface and give us some insight into the complications of his life and struggles. However, the adage “less is more” is very much applicable to this project. I am curious to see whether or not Offset will continue to venture into himself in the way he did on this project in future endeavors, or if Father of 4 is where it starts and ends. No matter what, it is clear that Offset is still someone to play attention to in the game, and for the time being, it seems that we will continue to do so.

Best Songs:

Father of 4 (Feat. Big Rube)

Made Men

North Star (Feat. Ceelo Green)

Rating: 7

Stream Father of 4 here:

FATHER OF 4, an album by Offset on Spotify

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