Rockie Fresh – Destination (Album Review)

Rockie Fresh finally gets his chance to shine in “Destination.”

STREAM

TOP 5

5. King’s Back

This intro >

I feel like Rockie Fresh blows off some steam in “King’s Back.” With its passionate yet hard-hitting vibes, the track sees Rockie unleashing his thoughts on making money, honoring his loyal friends, and mingling with the most attractive women. As a longtime fan of the rapper, I was thrilled to hear him exude a sense of freedom and achievement in this song.

4. Maria

Marty McFly splurging on chicks with that gambling money.

“Maria” is a lovely track, exuding sensual vibes and featuring Rockie’s silky smooth crooning that could practically whisk the clothes off of a nerdy chick. Additionally, we’re treated to a rap verse from the Chicago rapper, showcasing his laid-back and carefree style.

3. Feelings Hurt (Ft. 24hrs & Cassie Veggies)

This is the first 24hrs track that I didn’t automatically ignore.

I really vibe with “Feelings Hurt.” Firstly, I appreciate its slickness, with Rockie Fresh, 24hrs, and Casey Veggies all emanating a cool demeanor like they’ve got their finances in order and savings stacked. Plus, Casey delivers a real-ass verse, 24hrs brings his unique but catchy singing, and Rockie drops a hook that is both infectious and catchy.

2. Must Be (Ft. Chris Brown)

“Must Be” is a radio-friendly hip-hop love song that has Rockie Fresh and Chris Brown relishing the idea of being jump-offs who get main n***a benefits.

I find Chris Brown’s performance on “Must Be” stellar, as he sings his heart out with great skill. Meanwhile, Rockie adopts the persona of a cool guy delving deep into his emotions on the track. Overall, “Must Be” epitomizes a commercial hit, a territory that Rockie hasn’t historically ventured into.

Need a hit? Call on Chris Brown (He charges a lot less than Jacquees)!

1. 2 Late (Ft. Arin Ray)

Wait, isn’t Tory Lanez supposed to be in this song?

I find “2 Late” to be a lovely song. Firstly, it’s driven by a soothing instrumental that could probably reconcile even 50 Cent and Ja Rule. Against this backdrop, Rockie Fresh delves into the complexities of his relationship with a girl he consistently mistreats and deceives. While I appreciate the honesty in Rockie’s lyrics, his effortlessly cool demeanor truly captivates me.

Arin Ray adds soulfulness and infectiousness to “2 Late.” Unfortunately, he is only on the hook.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. King’s Back (4/5)

2. Health Risk (3.5/5)

3. Round Here (2.5/5)

4. Feelings Hurt (Ft. 24hrs & Cassie Veggies) (4/5)

5. Done Wit It (3.5/5)

6. Maria (4/5)

7. Must Be (Ft. Chris Brown) (4.5/5)

8. 2 Late (Ft. Arin Ray) (4.5/5)

9. Fallin (4/5)

10. Take A Second (3.5/5)

11. Manuscript (4/5)

12. Always Love (Ft. Arin Ray) (4/5)

OVERALL RATING

(C+)

Rockie Fresh is depicted standing in front of a Delorean in the artwork for “Destination” – coincidentally, I believe he delivers a vintage performance on the album.

What I appreciate about Destination is multifaceted. Firstly, Rockie’s authenticity shines through, especially on tracks where he delves into his personal relationships, hustling mindset, and experiences of loss like “Fallin,” “2 Late,” and “Take A Second.” His lyrics are thoughtful, his delivery genuine, and his energy resonates. Additionally, the features on the album, including Arin Ray and Chris Brown, contribute fantastic hooks that complement Rockie’s laid-back style perfectly. Finally, the album exudes laid back vibes, creating a sense of comfort as Rockie effortlessly navigates the mic with a sense of familiarity on many tracks.

So what irks me about “Destination?” I noticed a few tracks on the album where Rockie seemed to mimic the styles of other popular rappers, and personally, I wasn’t too fond of those attempts. Specifically, I found his singing and mumbled delivery in tracks like “Health Risk” and “Round Here” less appealing compared to when he focused on delivering straightforward bars.

Rockie Fresh is so f**king underrated! When Rockie raps, I connect with him because his entire persona revolves around authenticity, making him relatable to listeners. That’s why Destination feels like an autobiography of sorts, with the Chicago rapper laying bare the highs, lows, and challenges of striving to make it in the rap game.