On July 17th, Future unexpectedly dropped his third studio album DS2 (Dirty Sprite 2). The album is a sequel to the Atlanta based rapper’s mixtape, Dirty Sprite, that he released back in 2011 shortly before signing on with Epic Records and A1 Recordings. Though it has been received with mixed reviews, DS2 has quickly made its way to the top of the Billboard Top 200 album charts.
What fans love about DS2 is also what I respect about Future as an artist. You know what you are getting when you go in. The album stays right on course with Future’s signature sound that keeps his fans wanting more. He is known for laying his feelings and emotions out on the table. He is not afraid to be honest in his writing, no matter how deep or dark of a place it may lead. This remains true with DS2.
The album’s first single “Commas” was released on March 2nd along with a music video that many called “extravagant” and “over the top”. The official remix to “Commas” features fellow rappers Rick Ross and Big Sean. The second single “Blow a Bag” was then released. Overall it is the weakest track on the entire album. He redeemed himself, however, with the lead track off of the album, “Where Ya At”, which was well received overall, landing a spot in the Billboard Top 100.
The album as a whole is an impressive piece of work. Though there are some weak tracks we have to keep in mind that they can’t all be chart toppers. Some tracks are going to mean more to the artist personally than professionally. AllMusic said that, with this album, Future has proven himself to be “a strange and yet in command figure standing at the center of a slick, inventive swirl of music.” While I agree that his sound is inventive I also think that it will get old. Future has found a formula that works for him as an artist and he seems set on not straying very far from it.
As mentioned before, I respect this about him. He knows what he likes and he stays true to his personal brand. But this leaves us with the question of whether or not Future will be able to maintain a steady fan base by not going any deeper with his sound. It’s true that he is unique. You can’t argue with that. But what happens when his “unique sound” is no longer unique or appealing to his fans? Will they eventually get bored with more of the same? I think that he will have to shake things up a bit with his next album. But, for now, what he is doing is obviously working out just fine.
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