Review: Vince Staples 'Big Fish Theory'

Big Fish Theory is one of the examples of the evolution and diversity of hip-hop. The album is something that your average hip-hop fan might not be compelled to listen at first but they should. The production of the album is different and innovative. In combination with the wittiness and intelligence of the bars of Vince Staples it makes for an amazing project. Big Fish Theory proves that you can make great music without trying to fit into one specific genre or approval of your peers.

Vince Staple's sophomore album has songs that make you feel like you're on a futuristic trip through your own mind. From the start with tracks like "Crabs In A Bucket" and "Party People" you can hear an influence of techno/electro sound that pairs really nicely with Staple's flow. For "Crabs In A Bucket" Staples hits the audience with eye-opening lyrics like "They don't ever want to see a black man eat/Nail's in the black man's hand and feet/Put him on a cross so we put him in a chain/Lying to me, sayin he don't look like me". Staples gives you his views on how sometimes society diminishes African Americans. This is just one way that Staples creates his own sound and breaks the mold from classic hip-hop.

There are some people that think that Staples sometimes feels like a different type of Kendrick Lamar. Although there are similarities they both have their own sound and their own fan base. Their experiences might be similar both being from Southern California and all but it is the way they tell those stories that makes them unique. The two MCs collaborate on the track "Yeah Right" where they both talked about how some people and artists pretend to be what they're not. They talked about how some artists pretend to play a role for the cameras and they lack substance.

Big Fish Theory also contains tracks that if you don't watch out, you could find yourself dancing for a long time. "Homage" and "BagBak" are the type of tracks that make you just get up and start moving. Hopefully, while you're dancing to these tracks some of the lyrics can hit your brain and make you think for a minute. Big Fish Theory contains a good amount of tracks that have big radio appeal but none better than "745" and "Rain Come Down". "Rain Come Down" has a very tropical feel to it and with Ty Dolla Sign on the hook it should be one of the more popular songs this summer. "745" might not be a radio "smash" but is the perfect song to hear and drive to until the wheels fall off. This is the track that you can just get in your car (doesn't have to be a BMW) and just vibe to it and maybe just maybe think about that special person that got away.

Overall, Big Fish Theory refuses to be put on a genre or to be under a specific label. Vince Staples is telling us that he's not to be eclipsed by other MC's and that he's not a small fish.This is Vince Staple's second album and there is no sophomore slump for this rapper. Big Fish Theory has 12 tracks and that's all you need for now. It is better to have a small amount of a good thing than a mass amount of mediocrity. There are a lot of fish in the sea and there are a lot of rappers out there but this summer whether you are at the lake or at the beach make sure you bump Big Fish Theory.

Favorite Tracks: 745, Rain Come Down, Crabs In A Bucket