By Katie Kocher

Fans have been long-awaiting the drop of Father of Asahd since the title of the album was announced in March 2019 along with the single “Top Off.” Fast forward to this March, he announced the exact release date while promoting the album throughout various social media platforms, along with a trailer for the album. As expected, it serves as a sort of dinner party for distinguished artists to show case their unique sound and talent as opposed to a complete body of work. Khaled likes to make unpredictable pairings as evidenced by songs like “Celebrate,” featuring Travis Scott and Post Malone, “No Brainer” with Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, and Quavo, and “Higher” featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend. The music video for “Higher” was shot just before the rapper’s tragic death at the end of March. Khaled’s ability to connect various artists smoothly on a single track is unmatched, which serves as the foundation of his music industry success.

Khaled is the son of Palestinian immigrants, and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He started to learn how to Dj in his garage at the age of 13, meanwhile working in small record stores. He met Lil Wayne and Birdman in the beginning stages of their careers, and was able to network and promote himself, eventually getting a portion of a time slot on the local radio station Mixx 93. Finally he was brought on as a regular DJ and given his very own time slot and production credits.

Some favorites on the album include “Just Us” featuring SZA, on which Khaled once again shows his love for sampling by grabbing Andre 3000’s hook from “Ms. Jackson” by Outkast.

“Higher” gets quite a bit of attention because of it’s feature of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle and the melancholy that it is bound to evoke in its listeners. The late king of LA delivers two excellent verses in his first release since his passing. His first verse is uplifting and motivating as he raps about his grandparents and how he came to be in America. For the second verse, Khaled switches the beat to something less grand and more mischievous. Nipsey matches this instrumental perfectly and reflects on the harder parts of his life living in South Central. This verse is harder to listen to now that we know Nipsey’s tragic fate. Lines like, “Emptied out the clip, it was broad day/Fuck niggas always gotta learn the hard way” hit different when you’ve seen videos of the late rapper getting shot in the middle of the day. John Legend jumps in for the chorus, giving the track a sentimental touch.

“Freak N You” combines the raw talent of a rap veteran Lil Wayne with Atlanta native Gunna, who made it big in 2016 from a feature on Young Thug’s track “Floyd Mayweather” and has since become a very sought after voice in the rap game. The track is infectious, catchy, and holds all the qualities of a hit.

“Top off” features the the holy trinity of Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Future and was one of the singles released last year as a prelude to the album. Although this record has gotten mixed reviews, it’s hard to deny that those three can deliver hard hitting lyrics and top notch vocals.

Lastly, “Thank You” with Big Sean presents a classic mellow beat and smooth flow. It references Sean’s ex and one of the world’s leading artists, Ariana Grande, with the lyric “Plus I gotta thank my exes on some ‘thank u, next shit,’” stirring some questions about their relationship.

Father of Asahd delivers a handful of radio hits (“No Brainer”), following in the footsteps of his previous albums, yet also throws in a few distinct tracks that cut deep and are more personalized to certain audiences (“Higher”). As expected, it includes top artists across the hip-hop/rap genre, making it easy for listeners to enjoy at least one if not several tracks from this album. While the album lacks any kind of cohesion, unity, or themes, that should be expected with a DJ Khaled record and listeners should be able to take the collaborative album at face value and have fun with it.

Favorite Tracks:

Just Us (Feat. SZA)

Higher (Feat. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend)

Freak N You (Feat. Lil Wayne & Gunna)

Rating: 6

Listen to Father Of Asahd here:

Father Of Asahd, an album by DJ Khaled on Spotify

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By Spencer Lobdell

Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Zulu Screams” by GoldLink (Feat. Maleek Berry & Bibi Bourelly)

Zulu Screams (feat. Maleek Berry & Bibi Bourelly), a song by GoldLink, Maleek Berry, Bibi Bourelly on Spotify

Last Tuesday DMV rapper GoldLink blessed us with one of the most infectious cuts released this year. “Zulu Screams” is packed with energy and the pulsing P2J instrumental makes it impossible to not get up and move from the first four-count. While I’m unsure of the status of GoldLink’s next album, it seems safe to assume that “Zulu Screams” will make the cut meaning we will hopefully get the tape sooner rather than later. Maleek Berry gives the smooth joint a latino feel with a beautifully sung hook that gives us a break from GoldLinks unorthodox flow that is so captivating. Bibi Bourelly comes in on the bridge for an intense, dance-hall inspired deviation from the cut that really ties the song together and sets it apart as one of the most interesting releases this year.

“Feelin’ like a brand new me
And the entourage where the latest be
And the sun don’t shine where the gangstas be
And we Russian roulette to a game of three”

— GoldLink "Zulu Screams"

“I THINK” by Tyler, The Creator (Feat. Solange)

I THINK, a song by Tyler, The Creator on Spotify

While many songs off of Tyler’s newest album IGOR could’ve been selected in this spot, “I THINK” was chosen because of Tyler’s extremely relatable writing, the awe-inspiring production that graces the entire album, and Solange’s beautiful vocal layering and background melodies on the hook. On “I THINK” Tyler wonders if he should continue to be vulnerable with a partner who has hurt him. While he knows it would be in his best interest to separate from this person, he is overly curious and hooked like many of us have been before. Two minutes into the track the songs dives into an instrumental bridge that is carried by one of Tyler’s favorite synth sounds as it dances across a scale and beautifully builds us up back into the hook. “I THINK” is one of my favorite moments off of IGOR.

“Mess with T on-off
Fuckin’ up my ambiance, pause
You drive me cuckoo and I cough
’Cause I want you like Leon Ware ”

— Tyler, The Creator "I THINK"

“Higher” by DJ Khaled (Feat. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend)

Higher (feat. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend), a song by DJ Khaled, Nipsey Hussle, John Legend on Spotify

Where it was difficult to pick which Tyler track to feature this week, it was a no brainer (no pun intended) when it came to DJ Khaled’s new album Father of Asahd. The late king of LA and Crenshaw rapper Nipsey Hussle delivers two excellent verses in his first release since his passing. His first verse is uplifting and motivating as he raps about his grandparents and how he came to be in America. For the second verse, Khaled switches the beat to something less grand and more mischievous. Nipsey matches this instrumental perfectly and reflects on the harder parts of his life living in South Central. This verse is harder to listen to now that we know Nipsey’s tragic fate. Lines like, “Emptied out the clip, it was broad day/Fuck niggas always gotta learn the hard way” hit different when you’ve seen videos of the late rapper getting shot in the middle of the day. R.I.P to a true king, the marathon continues, long live Nipsey Hussle.

“South Central state of mind, high crime rate
Homicide, hate, gang banging’ll get you all day
And look at my fate”

— Nipsey Hussle "Higher"

Throwback Song of the Week:

“65 Hunnid” by Vince Staples

65 Hunnid, a song by Vince Staples on Spotify

“65 Hunnid” is the second track off of Vince’s Staples’ Def Jam debut mixtape Hell Can Wait and one of the hardest songs in his discography. The greatness of this song begins with the eerie instrumental by Infamous. The horns at the beginning of this song are so fitting and beautifully segway us into the first hook. The drums used on this track are unusual but yet feel right at home under Vince’s Long Beach drawl. Lyrically, Vince is extremely sharp which should surprise no one. Throughout the song he continues to switch up his flow and use different rhyme patterns I’ve never heard before. “65 Hunnid” is an absolutely essential track from one of the most talented emcees making music right now.

“Feel the 4, when I’m feelin’ low, time to stretch a nigga
Ridin through ya section, shit, I hope you got protection with ya”

— Vince Staples "65 Hunnid"

Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post: