First Listen: Cleveland's Kipp Stone drops new album "Homme"

 


Compton has Kendrick Lamar, Cleveland has Kipp Stone.

I know that sounds like a crazy ass comparison but on my first play through of Stone's new album "Homme," that's the only thought that comes to mind. Featuring 12 songs with guest verses from artists including Mick Jenkins, Torre Lott and Nuke Franklin (one of the first friends to the blog).

Honestly though, is it really a stretch to compare this album to "Good Kid Maad City" or "Damn"? Listen to the album and tell me I'm wrong, sure Kendrick is Kendrick but actually listen to this album and think about what made people like those albums and apply that to this one.

Every track is texturally different, with slow drums and samples circling Kipp's lyrics about abuse and trauma. Of course there are straight forward songs with a classic boom bap rhythm, but where the beat eases up, Kipp's lyrics and impeccable flow pick the slack up as he twists/flips his flow.

I think what's striking the most to me though is the humanity Stone puts into every song. Yeah, there are plenty of rappers that do this with their songs but with this album. There's something raw and uncut about the feeling Stone puts into each track. Take his song "Kinda Crazy" for example, the toned down drums and lone guitar riffs clash with Stone's verses, his voice shaky and soft spoken - it's haunting in a good way.

"On God, only got one job, and that's to stay black and die."

Conversely, songs like Jackboy shine because of how tight everything sounds. It's like if "Sing About Me" was a club hit while not losing any of what made Lamar's song special. Also, the second half of this song contains a Tony Yayo sample that I haven't heard since Asher Roth's Green House Effect Vol. 1 and now I'm getting hardcore nostalgia.

Fave tracks: World Be Trash, Jackboy Ft. Nuke Franklin, Everythang, Pedestal. Kinda Crazy.

It's no surprise this album would slap though. Stone has made a name for himself already, landing articles in XXL, PASTE magazine and Billboard. Really, it's a good thing if this is your first time hearing about Stone because he's going to be Cleveland's next rock star - it's the perfect primer.

Here's a song off of the album:


Hears a link to the album on iTunes:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/homme/1530765970

Let me know what you think,

Lux


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