IDK lives life on the fast lane in “F65.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Pit Stop
Demonic things happen at IDK’s “Pit Stop.”
This album starts with “Pit Stop.” In the song, which boasts this booming, menacing, and uptempo beat, IDK reminds the world where he came from and how much he has elevated these past couple of years. While you get a pretty gritty version of the rapper in his verses, towards the end, he starts singing with a bunch of kids like a black Mary Poppins.
5. Up The Score (Ft. Benny The Butcher)
IDK and Benny The Butcher were bold enough to drop street-ass lyrics over a soothing version of Lupe Fiasco’s f**king “Hurt Me Soul” instrumental (My mind is blown right now)?
If you weren’t listening closely, you would assume you left the TV on while a Soap Opera was playing while listening to “Up The Score.” Both the song’s production and IDK’s melodic raps are so f**king gentle, it would put a newborn to sleep. Here’s the kicker: IDK and Benny the Butcher talk that talk in their respective verses. Not only do they call out snitches, coons, and softies, but they also talk about sliding and putting folks in ICUs. Oh, and the good news is this: Benny sounds like his regular degular aggressive self in his lone verse.
4. Salty (Ft. NLE Choppa)
Who knew this duo would work so well together?
“Salty” is only 1:46 long… That’s definitely not enough time. In the song, which is powered by this fiery beat, IDK and NLE Choppa each rap about being cold-hearted individuals that don’t have love for useless women, cops, or overseasoned food. Though I think that their content is pretty damn gangsta, it’s their explosive and confident deliveries that catch my attention the most. These two ninjas sound like they are down with stomping on folks like Draymond.
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3. Thug Tear (Ft. Fat Trel)
I don’t want to see a thug cry (When thugs cry, someone’s life becomes in danger).
IDK sounds like the following things in this song: Like someone that’s down to die for respect, like someone that wants to leave his hood, and like someone who is paranoid as s**t. The beat that he does his work over is just as bipolar as him. That s**t has these smooth piano notes, but also a thump to it that will let you know that negroes aren’t playing. As for Fat Trel, his contributions are surprisingly soulful (I don’t like it when thugs sound inexplicably calm).
For some reason, this song reminds me how dangerous Yums II is.
2. Pinot Noir (Ft. Jucee Froot & Saucy Santana)
In this homophobic world that we’re living in, I love the fact that IDK decided to unite with Saucy Santana for “Pinot Noir” (That’s the type of s**t that gets glossed over and not brought up by other sites).
“Pinot Noir” is the kind of banger that will get a dinner party poppin’. The song’s smooth but bouncy beat will have people dancing, but probably not too hard (You might see people shimmy like Mark Jackson). What I love is how each artist featured in this song barely acquiesces to the vibes that the production gives off. IDK, Jucee Froot, and Saucy Santana all hit us with unapologetic bars that will rile up people that want to be in committed relationships, that want to have traditional sex, or that are broker than the United States of America (Wellll). The best way to describe this song: Ratchet exquisitetry.
1. Elmina (Ft. Tay Iwar)
“Elmina” is the type of track that separates IDK from his peers.
I f**king knew IDK was Nigerian! He looks like every one of my cousins in Lagos. Anywho, “Elmina” is a gentle, somewhat afropop banger that features absolutely gorgeous vocals from both IDK and featured guest Tay Iwar. This song’s infectious melodies, smooth tempo, and lovely lyrics will make you want to dance (Not on some twerking s**t, though; more so on some slow, face-to-face s**t).
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Cape Coast (4/5)
2. Pit Stop (4/5)
3. Thug Tear (Ft. Fat Trel) (4/5)
4. Champs-Èlysées (N/A)
5. Salty (Ft. NLE Choppa) (4/5)
6. D.S.T.P (N/A)
7. Mr. Police (2.5/5)
8. Pinot Noir (Ft. Jucee Froot & Saucy Santana) (4/5)
9. Paperchaser (3/5)
10. Elmina (Ft. Tay Iwar) (4.5/5)
11. Georgetown (N/A)
12. Radioactive (3/5)
13. Know Interlude (Ft. Musiq Soulchild) (N/A)
14. Télé Couleur (3.5/5)
15. Rabbit Stew (3.5/5)
16. 850 (We On Top) (Ft. Rich The Kid) (4/5)
17. Middle Passage (Ft. Snoop Dogg) (N/A)
18. Still Your Man (4/5)
19. St. Nicholas & 118th (N/A)
20. Up The Score (Ft. Benny The Butcher) (4/5)
21. Superwoman (Ft. Musiq Soulchild) (3.5/5)
22. Freetown (N/A)
RGM RATING
(B-)
IDK is too talented for his own good. Matter of fact, when you look up the definition of ‘artist,’ his face with Mambo Sauce stains on his lips will pop up. I just feel like IDK, who sounds identical to Kanye West, doesn’t see boundaries when he makes music. For instance, in a few songs on F65, he hits us with killer bars that would put him in a prime position to win a rap battle, while in other songs, he sings his ass off like an old-ass boat mechanic that never attempted to pursue a music career because his father told him that was the soft route to take in life. Additionally, in some songs on the album, IDK talks about blasting his gun and running up on opps, while in other songs, he sounds like the second coming of Captain-save-a-chick. He’s as unpredictable and creative as it gets. With that being said, I think F65 is a very fun listen. While I admit that I didn’t take the time to understand the importance of IDK’s race car references, what I did take the time to understand is how he can make the average s**t your favorite rappers talk about sound elegant and graceful.
So why didn’t this album get an A if I said all positive things? I thought there were a few songs that went over my head like a shot from Russell Westbrook (Including “Mr. Police” and “Superwoman”). I also felt like a few songs sounded a little incomplete (ie “Still Your Man”). Nonetheless, I think this is a good effort from IDK.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
