Although remaining rather low key for most of his career, rapper G-Eazy is making a breakthrough in a music genre where one is either considered dope or trash. The Oakland, CA native, who commonly likes to refer to himself as Young Gerald, has an opinion of his own and could care less about what the haters think. Last Friday, the hip-hop villain made his presence known in his sophomore album, When It’s Dark Out.

The album includes 16 tracks (17 including Intro) with a boatload of features from big names like Big Sean, Chris Brown, and Keyshia Cole to name a few. Despite the plethora of voices on this album, G-Eazy does not fail to express his permanent presence in the rap game with his fluent verses and confident lyrics.

The album starts with Random, an aggressive dis track to all his haters and people who think his celebrity status evolved out of nowhere. “‘Got it all, yeah I’m young, rich, and handsome. This (expletive) is not random,’” G proceeds to inform listeners that he worked hard for his fame unlike becoming a sensation overnight like some others. Likewise, Of All Things is similar to this song as G-Eazy calls out the people who would rather hate on social media all day than do something with their lives. Nothing To Me also falls into this category as G expresses his perseverance with making music despite what any had to say.

Throughout the album, G-Eazy illustrates a demeanor of overwhelming confidence through his harsh beats and truthful lyrics to establish his identity. In songs like One of Them, Calm Down, Order More, and You Got Me, he comes to terms with his rise to fame, creating an ego and realizing what he is capable of now that he is famous. In his head-bobber, Calm Down, he says “‘I’m the coldest white rapper in the game since the one with the bleached hair,’” clearly referring to Detroit rapper, Eminem.

Despite blasting listeners with rapid bars, G-Eazy does slow it down between the more aggressive tracks with songs featuring R&B artists, Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, Marc E. Bassy, and Kehlani. Drifting and my personal favorite, Some Kind of Drug, are obviously steered towards G’s female listeners because of their soft spoken and pleasurable lyrics.

Being a Gemini, G-Eazy also has two introspective songs where he battles his emotions as the villainous rapper G-Eazy and regular Gerald Gillum. In Me, Myself, and I, G expresses that he needs time alone as he tries to navigate his newfound fame and figure out who will stay in his life, ultimately concluding that it will just be him. Sad Boy is more of a conversation between the rapper, G-Eazy, and his other personality or regular self, Gerald. Repeatedly asking “‘Gerald, what you so sad for?’” G-Eazy is implying to Gerald that he should stop ruminating the negative outcomes of being famous and just live.

All in all, I recommend this album to people who aren’t into mainstream rappers and want to discover new music. I don’t recommend this to people who easily are offended by profanity. I guess that category of people can listen to the clean version of the album but that’s no fun. If given a thumbs-up, catch G-Eazy at The Fillmore Philadelphia on January 19th and 20th at 8pm.