Isaiah Rashad - The Sun's Tirade Review

On his debut studio album, Rashad displays his battle with drug addiction and alcoholism and nearly being released from TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment). An evolution of the sound produced for Cilvia Demo, Rashad demonstrates excellent lyricism over a smooth flow during an hour long experience.

Isaiah Rashad is a Tennessee native who started rapping in High School. Most notably, he gained notoriety on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour, where he performed alongside rappers Joey Bada$$, Juicy J, and Smoke DZA. Signing to TDE in 2013, Rashad moved to California and released Cilvia Demo one year later. The album received critical acclaim by critics and fans alike.

Rashad continually refers to several important events and themes throughout the album. One of these themes is his drug abuse, which manifests itself in his xanax addiction on songs like Stuck in the Mud, where Rashad decides to "Pop a xanny, make your problems go away" and Wats Wrong, where he plans to "roll another one", or Silkk Da Shocka, a love ballad in which Rashad declares "my weed habit so close to snorting powder". Alternatively, Rashad hints at his alcoholism on songs like 4 Da Squaw, in which Rashad directly describes drinking as "heaven from the bottom and peace from throwin up" and AA, where even the title is a reference to the group Alcoholics Anonymous. Another main theme Rashad alludes to is his depression, which is cited in the title for the song, Stuck in the Mud, an idiom describing someone who is unable to escape the hole they have fallen into. Rashad even explicitly states "I can't admit, I've been depressed, I hit a wall, ouch" on Dressed like Rappers.


What I like about the album is that you can really sense the personality on almost every song. Rashad is not scared about telling people that he was depressed, and it got in his way. In fact, this blatant honesty about his drug abuse and depression is an exception in a hip-hop landscape filled with lyrics that only talk about sex and money. Additionally, Rashad's flow is excellent throughout the entire album, being able to deliver strong lyrics on both smooth or futuristic trap beats. Talking more about the lyrics, Rashad is also able to create some very complicated songs through unique concepts and lyric structure. Take Rope // Rosegold for example, where Rashad raps about how life gives you enough rope to either hang yourself or provide a lifeline when you need it most. On the second part of the song, Rosegold, Rashad mentions that he "got music for the vibers", which brings me to another reason I like the album; the tone of the singing, and the production create a very relaxing and pleasant sound. Something you can really feel out and enjoy listening to while walking around or lying in bed. Additionally, this album stood out in 2016 as different from two of the main types of rap that encapsulate most of the music released this past year; post-To Pimp A Butterfly music that is more heavily jazz, soul, or funk influenced, or the Atlanta-style trap rap. Unlike its contemporaries the Sun's Tirade is an album that takes advantage of Isaiah's rapping skills and his singing to diversify a deep flow sound such that no two songs sound exactly alike. Furthermore, in terms of Rashad's lyricism, I laud him for being able to deliver his whole personality on virtually every song. In fact, he is one of the best in the game right now at bringing his authentic self to his music. For example, when you hear Rashad talk about his vices, you feel the sadness that he feels as he continues to steep further into his addictions and depression.


In terms of criticism I have for the album, I would say that there are a few tracks that seem to be "filler" tracks, as in they bear no big significance to the album, and the album would still stand on its own if they were not there. Songs like Bday show that Rashad has still not found his complete voice yet, especially considering he mumbles through the entire song. Additionally, more tracks that could be considered filler primarily take up the second half of the album. Songs like A Lot and Don't Matter see Rashad explore different types of sound with more of that futuristic trap rap beat on A Lot and rapping in double time on Don't Matter.

Overall, I would say that I really liked the album. Rashad's excellent flow and good lyricism are apparent on the album, and The Sun's Tirade is an evolution of the sound he debuted with Cilvia Demo. Rashad is one of my favorite rappers of 2016, and one of my favorite rappers right now. I am really excited to see what direction he takes for his next album following the Lil' Sunny tour.

Lyricism: 7/10
Production: 8/10
Flow: 9.3/10
Overall: 8.4/10


What do you think about this album, or songs from this album?
Where do you think Rashad's sound will go from here?
I hope you enjoyed this review.


-J