Dave East empties the clip with “Fortune Favors the Bold.”
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5. Come 2 Far (Ft. Kid Capri)
Soulful hip-hop records about growing up in the hood >
I love me some Dave East, but let’s be real: Kudos must go to Kid Capri and Cool & Dre for their contributions to this song. “Come 2 Far” features an excellent soulful beat and adlibs from Kid Capri that will get you hyped the f**k up. Though Dave East yaps a little, when folks are reflecting on their childhood and talking about their come-ups like he does in his verses, you have to allow a little bit of yapping.
4. Rich Problems
Am I the only one who welcomes the problems that come with being rich? (I swear, all I need to be happy is a burrito bowl and some chips & Guac).
The Notorious B.I.G. once said, “More money, more problems.” Unfortunately, almost 30 years later, folks are still having problems that come with increased money. In “Rich Problems,” Dave East, highlights all the things that can still go wrong when you start reaching bigger tax brackets in 2023; that includes homies still dying, TMZ hawking you, and task forces on your ass. Though Dave doesn’t sound all that bothered tone-wise (He plows through the track sounding confident and gritty), I do feel like the hard-hitting, luxurious production does something to both my broke and rich soul.
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3. DAMN
“DAMN” is one of the capital letter tracks on this album that deserves to be.
I like listening to “DAMN” in my office, but I can’t imagine how much it would hit if I listened to it while walking down a New York City slum. The track boasts this hard-hitting beat that almost has this gritty feel that cannot be ignored. The way Dave East slides over it, hitting us with bars that speak on his quest for success, love, and lust, will catch your attention.
2. Long Way (Ft. Cordae)
Dave East and Cordae’s growth are highlighted in this lyrical banger.
I know what you’re thinking: Cordae and Dave East have completely different styles. You’re right, but the good news is this: They both are on some competitive, braggadocios, and reflective s**t in this banger. While I think the best thing about the song is the booming, soulful beat, don’t sleep on the hook or the sly flows the two toy with.
1. HUSTLERS (Ft. Tyga)
Finally, a club anthem for hustlers like myself!
“HUSTLERS” features a beat that fits Tyga’s style more than Dave East’s style. With that being said, the former truly stands out on this track, commanding attention with his versatile flow and unapologetic cockiness. East does his thing, too. His grungy verse will inspire every single hustler in the world to be great; particularly the ones who like smoking, wearing masks, and flossing. Who knew these two completely different artists would sound so good together?
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Here I Go Interlude (N/A)
2. Come 2 Far (Ft. Kid Capri) (4/5)
3. Pops Interlude (N/A)
4. Still Here (4/5)
5. Long Way (Ft. Cordae) (4.5/5)
6. DAMN (4.5/5)
7. Sex So Good (Ft. Coi Leray) (4/5)
8. Good Good Good (Ft. Ghostface Killah, Stacy Barthe & Kaiyan Arnold) (4/5)
9. Pops Interlude Pt. 2 (N/A)
10. HUSTLERS (Ft. Tyga) (4.5/5)
11. WDGAF (Ft. G-Eazy) (3.5/5)
12. Kairi (Interlude) (N/A)
13. Can’t Make This Up (4/5)
14. Still Outside Interlude (N/A)
15. Dope Boy (4/5)
16. Million Off Rap (3.5/5)
17. Good Things (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign) (4/5)
18. Rich Problems (4.5/5)
19. Weirdos (Ft. Jadakiss) (4/5)
20. Thru The Mud (3.5/5)
21. It’s A Lot (4/5)
22. Like A Rose (3.5/5)
23. Letter 2 Kobi (4/5)
24. Hallway Piss – Bonus Track (3.5/5)
RGM RATING
(C+)
Dave East doesn’t belong in 2023; he should’ve been an adult in the 90s when New York hip-hop was the Golden State Warriors.
Dave East is a very smart man. He knows that half of the battle of convincing people that he is an authentic street ninja is to rap over street-certified beats; that’s exactly what we get throughout this album. Fortune Favors the Bold is mainly powered by soulful, gritty, hard-hitting, and vintage-sounding production. It’s the kind of beats Jay-Z used to rap over before he snagged Beyoncé and grew his hair out like Basquiat. Though I love Dave East’s performances on this project, I think it’s the production that moves the needle.
Take what I said in the previous paragraph with a grain of salt: Dave East is excellent on this album. I love the descriptive, authentic, gritty, reflective, trill, and vulnerable verses he gifts us with throughout Fortune Favors the Bold. Even though his ass shouldn’t be in the hood as much these days, I do find his hood-related tales to be authentic and intriguing. My one complaint about Dave is this: He practically sounds the same on every song on this project. He doesn’t really mess with different flows, damn sure doesn’t sing, and really deviates far from the same s**t he usually talks about. For 24 tracks (Really about 19), it gets a little hard to listen to.
The guest appearances on Fortune Favors the Bold are dope. It was cool hearing Kid Capri on the defacto intro (“Come 2 Far”), Coi Leray in “Sex So Good,” and Jadakiss on “Weirdos.” With that being said, Tyga was my favorite guest from this album. Who was the worst guest? Easily G-Eazy.
The one word that comes to my mind when discussing Dave East’s music is “refreshing.” From the s**t he talks about to the beats he raps over, if you are a true hip-hop fan, you have to appreciate his style. I truly feel like you can throw this Fortune Favors the Bold project in the midst of a bunch of projects from the 90s and it will blend right in. Ahh, there’s nothing like nostalgia!
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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