Stefflon Don – Secure (Album Review)

Stefflon Don is the prime example of an artist getting popular by ingratiating herself into an industry by utilizing a very specific sound. But I do have this feeling that she wants people to know that she is more than just an ‘insert Caribbean artist here’ type of gal — something I feel she’s been succumbed to these last couple of months. With “Secure,” she gets her first opportunity to earn some real respect in the game, and I truly believe she will take full advantage

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TOP 5

HONORABLE MENTION. LIL BITCH

I really like the idea behind “Lil Bitch.” The song opens the album up, which means you get a chance to see a completely different side of Stefflon Don. Not only does the English rapper take nothing but lyrical jabs at her competition on this song, but she raps as aggressively as I’ve ever heard her rap over this action-packed instrumental. Though the track is short (About 2 minutes long), she definitely proves her point of being one of the baddest in the game currently.

5. JELIO

“Jelio” is just as gritty as “Lil Bitch,” but a lot more of a complete sounding record to me. On it, Stefflon raps over this oriental sounding instrumental that has some heavy-hitting/aggressive roots.

Content-wise, Stefflon is all about promoting her unapologetic brand on this song, as she lets her naysayers know that she’s living life carefree and can give a damn about what a hater thinks. While her lyrics are pretty average on her verses, the aggression and tenacity she raps with is pretty appealing. I also find the hook she drops to be pretty gutter.

4. WHAT YOU WANT

“What You Want” features Future, and as expected, it’s a passionate banger (It’s weird, nowadays a Future feature means it’s probably going to be a passionate banger)! It contains a dramatic instrumental that encourages both Stefflon and Future to pour their hearts out about their struggles and how they cope with it through buying luxurious items. As a result, each end up sounding like they’ve been stabbed 143 times while they are laying down their vocals.

Unfortunately, this song doesn’t contain any kind of Caribbean accent from our hero, but it does have lots of raw emotion.

3. SENSELESS

“Senseless” is the first solo song I heard by Stefflon. On it, our hero gives us something that we can dutty-wine to non-stop. Unlike these other hip hop artists that try to dabble in this kind of music, Stefflon Don’s patois is on point! Do you know how many times I had to look up whether or not she was born, raised, engraved and taxed in Jamaica while listening to it?

I love how Stefflon Don adds this gentle sound on the hook, making sure us akata’s don’t feel all alone. I also like how she randomly uses a Nigerian ‘Twww’ in her second verse.

2. HURTIN’ ME

“Hurtin’ Me” sounds like every single feel-good reggae record you heard at a wedding, birthday celebration or black bar Mitzvah. It has a colorful instrumental, and a helluva riddim to it.

Sean Paul opens this song up, giving it this authentic reggae feel with his signature ‘hard to understand, but f**k it, he has me groovin’ style. After his verse, Stefflon takes things from there, practically spilling her guts out about her old dude and how she wants him around these days. Her part is very soulful, and contains lots of whimpering.

After Stefflon Don’s part, things just go haywire, as Popcaan and Sizzla completely take over the song. Matter of fact, by the time they finish their respective parts, they make you forget that there is a scorned woman on the track. Nonetheless, their verses add yet another layer of authenticity to it.

This song is catchy as f**k! I can’t get “Me, Me, Me” out of my head. Maybe I’m just a cocky muthaf**ka?

1. PRETTY GIRLS

“Pretty Girl” is one of those cutesy dance-hall tracks that feature a girl (Stefflon Don) and a guy (Tiggs Da Author) goinh back and forth on some teenage love s**t. It has an outstanding rhythm to it, an absolutely infectious hook and some authentic reggae vibes. If you ask me, the track is a must download, especially if you plan on turning your living room into a hookah lounge or mini sweat-box.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. LIL BITCH (4/5)

2. JELLIO (4/5)

3. FINESSE (3/5)

4. INTERLUDE (N/A)

5. WHAT YOU WANT (3.5/5)

6. PRETTY GIRLS (4.5/5)

7. UBER (3/5)

8. PRECIOUS HEAVY (2.5/5)

9. BOTH WAYS (3/5)

10. CRUNCH TIME (3/5)

11. FAVOURITE GIRL (4/5)

12. HURTIN’ ME (5/5)

13. SENSELESS (5/5)

14. REGULAR (3.5/5)

15. WIN (3.5/5)

16. FREE DRIP TONY MONTANA (ONLINE) (2/5)

OVERALL RATING

(D+)

You know what this album reminds me of? Sean Kingston’s debut from back in the day. Remember, Sean Kingston had a good mix of commercial reggae, tough-nosed and emotional records. The mixture sounded forced as f**k, and as a result, most humans walking this planet hated it. Unfortunately, “Secure” is that for Stefflon… There is way too many cheesy tracks on this album, and when she’s trying not to be cheesy, she comes across as even more cheesy. In my opinion, the project is a schematic disaster that four years of Obama probably can’t fix.

OK, let me get even more specific with what I hate about this album… For starters, the instrumentals sound amateur at best. Matter of fact, they sound like s**t I could find on Google if I simply type ‘Sean Paul type Reggae beat.” Secondly, I think Stefflon tries way too hard to say something bad ass in her raps. She loves the topic of being the baddest chick in the game, but unfortunately, there’s a long line of bad chicks in the game that she’s behind in line. However, I will say this: I do think Stefflon shines bright when it comes to fitting into an authentic reggae track (Which she’s been doing in her features), letting artists like Sean Paul, Tiggs Da Author and Haile set the tone while she simply gets in where she fits in.

Based off of my first two paragraphs, you would think I hate Stefflon Don, but I don’t, I just think she gave us a very underwhelming effort with this project. I personally believe she could do a lot better than this, and trust me, she will. In my opinion, “Secure” just sounds way too watered down, predictable and unoriginal to fully enjoy.