This past Friday was a monumental day for hip hop fiends, with a selection of artists releasing eagerly anticipated projects; J Cole’s follow-up LP to his no-feature platinum record Forest Hills Drive, Post Malone’s Stoney, as well as new music from Yasiin Bey and Hodgy. In this climate, it might seem foolhardy for Top Dawg Entertainment to decide to release Ab-Soul’s Do What Thou Wilt on the very same day. But their vote of confidence in their artist is vindicated. After being criticised for stalling the release of his latest project by TDE’s CEO, the twenty-nine year old rapper seems to have taken head of the warning shots and has responded emphatically letting his music talk.

After a disappointing reception to his last project entitled Last Days, this venture sees Soulo return to the aspects which accumulated a cult following in his early days. Littered with features from TDE mainstays, and tried and tested collaborators such as Mac Miller and Da$h, every second of this mammoth sixteen track record is filled with raw, untameable energy. ‘YMF’ acts as the ideal tonic to this hot and heavy approach – for me it is the standout track and showcases Ab-Soul’s capabilities as a wordsmith. Although his musical presence is somewhat dwarfed by those who belong to the TDE label, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q to name a couple, ‘DWTW’ solidifies the rapper from California’s spot as the hidden jewel in their crown.

Along with Chance The Rapper’s ‘Colouring Book’, released February this year, this is the hip hop album of 2017.

Niall Ballinger

[image: Okayplayer]