Ian’s naysayers aren’t stopping a damn thing.
It’s an intriguing time for white hip-hop. Eminem is still churning out albums at 50, Post Malone seems to have made a full shift into country music at 29, and Tommy Richman is enjoying making Soul Train-inspired music at 24. And then there’s Ian. After what I considered a solid project in Valedictorian, critics still had plenty to say about his unorthodox style. Now, with the pressure on, Ian decided to return with a new single titled “End Up Gone.”
Ironically, “End Up Gone” might be Ian’s most authentic release of the year. In the song, he sounds grateful for his accomplishments while playfully emphasizing how he’s always high. The beat, with its vintage Gucci Mane vibes, feels tailored for fans of Southern trap, particularly those who wear jean shorts and ride around in cars with expired inspection tags. While Ian doesn’t exactly “slide” on it, his delivery is filled with an accent so southern that I cannot believe it’s not butter.
Ian is definitely blacker than me.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
