FERG officially premieres his new name with “DAROLD.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Chosen (Ft. Mary J. Blige & Shay Rock)
This is some divine s**t. I fully understand if listeners won’t f**k with it.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate songs with deeper messages. “Chosen” is one of those songs. FERG reflects on fallen idols, family struggles, and his focus on self-reliance in his verses, while Mary J. Blige’s hook serves as a reminder of the strength we hold within. The emotional depth of the song is enhanced by its stripped-down, piano-driven beat and FERG’s straightforward rap delivery, which makes it easy to connect with the track’s message.
5. Casting Spells (Ft. Mary J. Blige)
FERG had Mary J. Blige working her ass off on this album.
By the end of the album, many tracks carry a similar vibe, leaving the listener to pick their favorite. “Casting Spells” stood out to me with Ferg’s insightful lyrics on keeping negativity at bay, manifesting positivity, and exposing the industry’s grim side. The soulful, vintage beat complements his message, and Mary J. Blige’s powerful vocals elevate the track.
4. Demon (Ft. Denzel Curry)
False advertisement.
Listen, I really rock with “Demon,” but don’t lie to me by telling me Denzel Curry is on this s**t. Unless he’s the kids on the hook, that negro is nowhere to be found. At the end of the day, FERG brings an unfiltered, intense energy that I enjoy, diving deep into his love for smashing without straps and sliding. Honestly, though, I am not sure if he’s embracing this lifestyle or denouncing it. Oh well.
3. Messy
FERG definitely slid like Kamala Harris’ polling numbers in this track.
“Messy” stands out with its dramatic production, blending traditional hip-hop elements with an impactful violin. The track also features one of the album’s catchiest hooks and showcases FERG’s most dynamic flow. As for lyrically, he confidently raps about his unapologetic lifestyle, touching on his experiences with women and reflecting on his past lean consumption. Overall, I think this is a sneaky-good track.
2. French Tips (Ft. Coco Jones)
FERG puts up 81 points whenever you give him some ’90s s**t to rap over.
“French Tips” is a creative flip of Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down” (remix), with a reimagined beat and a hook from Coco Jones that nods to the original. FERG adds his own touch with a smooth, slick flow, rapping about his romantic connection with a woman who’s equally bold and beautiful. The track’s blend of old-school R&B and hip-hop elements struck a chord with me.
1. Allure (Ft. Future & Mike WiLL Made-It)
Ferg and Future are savages in their own savage ways.
In “Allure,” FERG and Future deliver verses focused on wealth, power, and street credibility. They also frequently reference making it rain at strip clubs and being armed. The track’s standout feature is the menacing, booming production courtesy of Mike WiLL Made-It. I also enjoy how Future adopts a cold, almost demonic tone in his delivery. As for Ferg, his Juvenile-inspired style doesn’t always hit for me, but when he amps up the intensity, s**t is dope.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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OVERALL RATING
(C+) (78%)
This album has to be dedicated to Sam Darnold, right?
Production:
Have you ever eaten a Now and Later before? If you have, you know how it can start off hard (Assuming you didn’t have it in your pocket it all day) than end up soft. That’s how DAROLD transitions. The first portion of the album features explosive, trippy beats, while towards the end, you are met with stripped-down, emotional beats. I definitely didn’t expect this combination from Big Bad FERG.
Guest Appearances:
If you remove “Light Work” from the equation, there are more vocalists than rappers on DAROLD. Mary J. Blige and Elmiene both make multiple appearances, and Coco Jones contributes vocals as well. The sole rap feature comes from Future. I really appreciate the choice to focus on more singers, which gives the album more of a touching feel (I can’t believe I’m saying this about a FERG album).
The Performances:
I find it interesting how introspective FERG sounds on much of this album. A good portion of the second half features deep tracks where he reflects on overcoming struggles and dealing with fame. On these songs, his delivery is more subtle, allowing the raw production to highlight his reflective lyrics. But don’t worry—when he cranks it up, he’s back to his usual high-energy, unapologetic style, which is always a blast to listen to. All in all, FERG’s verses are filled with good dynamic flows and fun/deep lines.
What Would I Change About This Album?
I don’t know if this is a change that needs to be made, but I do feel like FERG adding these introspective tracks about not loving all the s**t that comes with being a rap star doesn’t align with his tracks in which he talks about smashing chicks and making all this money. It kind of made me wonder if tracks like “Allure” were forced on him by his label…
The Biggest Reason You Should Listen To This Album:
It’s refreshing to hear DAROLD’s focus on growth and embracing life’s rewards, similar to Big Sean’s Better You Than Me. Though its strange coming from this rowdy, high-energy messenger, it’s still effective because the music is good.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
