![]() ![]() But Herb eventually learned to trust his teammate’s personal compass, speaking of Kendrick like a proud sibling and ensuring their relationship is as strong and secure as ever. And he claims to have learned about Kendrick's choice in precisely the same manner as any pedestrian might have. When it came to confronting Kendrick's departure from TDE, Herb was initially as surprised as most people probably found themselves. While Kung Fu Kenny went on to become the label's most exalted writer, The Black Lip Pastor remains TDE's brilliantly-blunted thinking man, conducting galaxy-brained interrogations of cultural constructs, conspiracies, and - most of all - himself. They share commensurate reverence for luminary lyricists and their first musical monikers, Snap G and K Dot, wouldn't feel entirely out of place in the lineup of a Golden Era crew from the Bronx. Though they diverged early on in their careers, Herb and Kendrick are kindred rap spirits to this day. Sounwave, TaeBeast, and Kal Banx, can ensure the album’s never short on stadium anthems (“F.O.M.F” and “Gang’nem,”) while Hit-Boy and DJ Premier ("a dream come true" collaboration for the rapper,) can punctuate the tracklist with connoisseur-friendly frequencies. Now embracing a type of collective populism on piecing projects together, there's room for it all. Relinquishing the reigns and entrusting the grand design of Herbert to one of rap’s most decorated regimes unburdened the rapper, allowing all parties involved in the album’s creation to center themselves in their respective strengths. He remembers having to "fight for records" in the past, but doesn't seem convinced those clashes were worth the tensions they unearthed. I was just being open to suggestion and criticism," he recalled of the pivot in his approach to album crafting. "I asked for help this time, versus trying to take full control. And for the first time in a while, the reinforcements from TDE's in-house team of hitmakers and marketing minds were genuinely welcomed. The beat selection and sequencing are as lucid and fluid as the rapper's signature delivery. The writing is sharp, dense, and personal, but avoids taking itself too seriously. That's out."Īcross the 19-track sprawl of Herbert, the newfound clarity and confidence reveal themselves with each turn of phrase. But that shoulda, woulda, coulda shit, bro. “It's hard not to dwell on the past and it's hard not to sweat about the future. "You have to surrender yourself to it and go in with intent," the rapper said, explaining how his sessions with an unbiased professional who had no stake in the outcome of his actions, helped him reclaim his vitality and refocus on the present. ![]() To recenter, he finally sought out counseling, and though he suspects it's become a little too trendy, Herb's advocacy for therapy as a means of self-repair is louder than ever. “We were literally Huey and Riley,” Ab somberly recounts, lifting his sleeve to reveal an inked silhouette of one of the iconically contentious Freeman brothers from The Boondocks. And in late 2021, the rapper suffered another loss to his inner circle with the passing of Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate, Doe Burger. ![]() In 2018, he was hit hard by the death of dear friend and longtime collaborator, Mac Miller. In the time since he released his 2016 album, Do What Thou Wilt, the rapper has been personally touched by tragedy on several occasions. For the venerable 35-year-old, however, there’s a touch of grief beyond the collective sadness of what a world-stopping public health crisis wrought. was pretty dark and I wanted to return brighter, to say the least.”Īs the rest of the world gradually resurfaces from their COVID-induced hibernations, the sentiments here are real and far too relatable. "Took a little break after my last album 'cause I just felt like it was needed to kind of reset. "I never really stopped," he said, pausing to sip a few ounces of Añejo tequila. He’s been mostly off the topographical and musical maps for the better part of the time between his last and forthcoming projects. Titled after the birth name only close friends and family know him by, the album provides an intimate and occasionally fractured lens into the increasingly guarded bubble he’s called home for the last six years. It's a few weeks out from the release of Herbert, the rapper’s first album since 2016. ![]()
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