In the Atlanta-dominated Southern rap scene, Tennessee's Isaiah Rashad represents a refreshing alternative, a rapper stylish, witty, and passionate who is unflinching in his portrayal of his own personal struggles with depression, money, fame, drugs, family, and the universal human burden of simply being alive.
With the release of his second project and debut album The Sun's Tirade earlier this month, 25-year-old Rashad has officially established himself as one of the country's most promising young rap stars, one who will be relevant in the hip hop world as long as he wishes. Read HNHH's recent interview with Rashad and swipe through the gallery to listen to 10 of his most essential tracks.
"Heavenly Father"
On "Heavenly Father," Rashad explains why success doesn't necessarily bring salvation. The couplet "And 'no' is kinda hard to say to drugs / I been having problems with myself" foreshadows the Xanax and alcohol dependency he would develop in 2014.
"Webbie Flow (U Like)"
Rashad is constantly paying tribute to his Southern rap forebearers. "Webbie Flow" is an homage to the Louisiana rapper Webbie. Rashad's extra-horny raps, overlaid atop a smoky, reggae-inflected Mr. Carmack beat, set the tone for the rest of Cilvia Demo.
"Ronnie Drake" feat. SZA
The two verses of "Ronnie Drake," named after one of Rashad's friends from home, are different in temperament but act as two sides of the same coin. The song is about race, and the first verse is passionate, fiery, the black man's rage, while the second verse is broader, more reflective and incisive.
"Shot You Down" (feat. Jay Rock & ScHoolboy Q)
Rashad is often compared to his labelmate Kendrick Lamar for his soulful, cerebral style. On "Shot You Down," he employs a technique also used by Kendrick in which he makes sentences grammatically incorrect so that they rhyme: "I got the bitches hitting Mikey like where Zay at? Probably fucking on her friend, probably L.A. at."
"R.I.P. Kevin Miller"
Though "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" never directly references Kevin Miller, Master P and Silkk the Shocker's brother who was murdered in 1990, it is an ode to everything Kevin Miller represents: Southern rap of a bygone era. Rashad holding the torch.
"I need diamond teeth, living like it's 1998
Like when Percy was the king, back when Juvie was the great
Bitch this doobie is the bait, Patton taught me how to pimp
Like one day you here, then gone, that's why Chad was downing shrimp"
"Smile"
Isaiah Rashad dropped exactly two songs in the 27-month stretch following the release of Cilvia Demo: "Nelly" and "Smile." "Smile," released in January 2016, is a good example of Rashad's creative flows, and the way he unexpectedly switches up his cadence at every corner. Rashad has a very keen sense of rhythm.
"Wat's Wrong" feat. Kendrick Lamar & Zacari
Rashad's new debut album The Sun's Tirade is terrific, in particular "Wat's Wrong", a spirited discussion between Rashad and Kendrick Lamar about drug use and its impact on relationships and mental health.
"4r da Squaw"
Though the boy in the music video is not actually Rashad's son, "4r da Squaw" is Rashad's reminder to himself that he is now working for the benefit of his two young children. "By the beer, by ear, by boo.. what Yari saying?" is a reference to his 1-year-old son Yari. "My son used to be into bubbles a lot, and now he's into a dude named Mr. Dougie, and Super Why," he told HNHH.
"Free Lunch"
"Free Lunch" broke a 7-month song drought and doubled as announcement that Rashad's album was about to drop. "When i wrote this, I was thinking about honey grain alcohol and just busting nuts," Rashad told Genius.
"Tity & Dolla" feat. Hugh Augustine & Jay Rock)
As seen on multiple songs on this list, Rashad is really into southern rap, but as he demonstrates on "Tity & Dolla" -- "Lately I've only been bumping that Yachty / All this Burberry on top of my body!" -- he has no trouble reconciling listening to both Lil Yachty and Playaz Circle.