#idk rapper

[legion1227]

IDK: E.T.D.S. Review. L.F.G.

IDK is underrated. Let's talk about it.

Jason Aaron Mills, stage name IDK, which stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge, made his debut inside the rap game circa 2012. From 2015 to 2020, IDK had a consistent release schedule, spanning from his first few mixtapes to EPs and his debut album. However, IDK didn't register on my radar until 2023 with the release of his fourth studio album, F65. Infused with trap and jazz elements, the hip-hop artist went all out with features that included NLE Choppa, Rich the Kid, Benny the Butcher, Snoop Dogg, and others, to mostly favorable reviews. While F65 was solid, some personal favorite tracks of mine, including Mr. Police and Pinot Noir, the following album, Bravado + Intimo, was arguably even better. As the name suggests, his fifth album focused on songs leaning towards flexing bravado, or braggadocio, or expressing his vulnerabilities or intimate side. Accomplishing more with less. Fewer features and fewer songs on the tracklist helped tighten up the ship and provide a truly excellent listen.

And now, after listening to his latest mixtape E.T.D.S., released back in January of this year, I have been convinced of how lowkey phenomenal IDK is at this moment. E.T.D.S., short for Even The Devil Smiles, leans harder into the bravado aspect than the intimo on this mixtape. With fifteen tracks delivering some engaging lyrical sprints, this time around, the likes of Black Thought, Pusha T, RZA, and posthumous features from DMX and MF DOOM accompany IDK. After the opening 30-second track sets the scene, the project takes off on a run for the next half-hour. The following three tracks perfectly highlight the high-octane lyrical genius that IDK can pack into his songs either by himself or with another talented MC. Songs like 'Halo,' 'P.O.,' and 'Clover' instantly enter rotation as the British-American rapper just flows seamlessly. He maintains a consistent, solid, upbeat energy throughout that works to his advantage.

Personally, my favorite track off the list is DEViL, as the beat makes me want to run through a wall. Overall, if you're looking for a short project packed with impressive lyrics, then this is the mixtape for you. Start here and perhaps backtrack to his previous works to find what you might and might not like. 4/5 for E.T.D.S.

[theartofsupafly]

[legion1227]

IDK: F65 album review

This was a big step up from the last project, and I am so pleased. 

Last year, rapper IDK dropped a short album called Simple, and that's exactly what it was. With eight tracks and rounding out to eighteen minutes in length, it made for a quick listen. I feel he didn't make the most of his short time on Simple. Alternating between singing and rapping, he faired better with the former. His bars lacked impact, but his flow was decent. Overall, Simple was an okay project, but nothing to praise. 

His latest album, F65, is a step up from last year. Nowhere near perfect and still flawed in some areas, but I enjoy this much more than Simple. 

F65 is packed with more songs, more features, and more commanding instrumentals. With twenty-two tracks running out at fifty-two minutes, Simple felt like an appetizer as IDK serves F65 as a main course. For Simple's mediocrity, I appreciated its brevity. F65 was a luscious listen but does not need to be fifty-two minutes long. 

The biggest issue stems from pacing, as the album is too long and the tracks are too short. 

Songs like Pit Stop and Salty feel like they're just getting started as IDK raps braggadocious and gets into a groove. But before it feels like he can shift into second gear, the song suddenly ends. There would be more to savor if he could at least fit in one more verse sometimes. Consequently, he has one song, Superwoman, that takes up seven minutes. Broken into parts, the song peaks in beauty with the first part as IDK and features Musiq Soulchild wax poetic with their vocals. If anything, he should've taken the extra five minutes and distributed them amongst the other songs on the album. 

Among the other features, it's hit or miss. Fat Trel works well in unison with IDK on Thug Tear. NLE Choppa was doing a fine job on Salty but could've used more time. Jucee Froot and Saucy Santana are among the best as they flex and boast sexually on Pinot Noir. And as a Benny The Butcher fan, I absolutely could've used more Benny on Up The Score. That was nowhere near enough. 

In the end, IDK delivered his fourth studio album. I'm hoping for his next project, he can assemble more talents for the features and find a decent middle ground for the pacing. Interludes and skits plague the project and could be cut for time. The jazz-infused production helped carry a really good album along with serviceable bars. If his next project is similar to this in sound and content with around twelve tracks and thirty minutes in time, then he will have something truly great on his hands. 3.5/5