This is Harlem emcee Dave East’s fifth studio record. In 2014, with his breakthrough 8th mixtape, Black Rose, he signed a joint deal with Def Jam Recordings and even Nas’ independently owned Mass Appeal Records, as well as a spot on the iconic 2016 XXL Freshman Class. However, his feature-length debut, Survival, didn’t come out until three years later, and was a huge disappointment as he tried to appeal to a more mainstream audience that didn’t exist. Harry Fraud’s sophomore effort Hoffa proved to be even better, and his last Def Jam effort Fortune Favors the Bold & APT 6E, produced by Mike & Keys, marked a return to his indie roots, so the listening will be entirely Living Proof by araabMUZIK gave me the feeling that this would be one of the most important listening experiences of Dave’s career.
“Percocet” is a synth-driven boom-beat intro that talks about not having any better feel to the reboot, while “Bet My Life” veers in a darker trap direction, with the instrumentation bending his second wind. Featuring Cruch Calhoun, “Solid N****z” exudes a bit of triumph over the beat as it talks about the difference between truth and cowardice. I also owe Crutcher an apology for what I said about Hoffa’s verse in “Victory” when he was down, and I was wrong, I admit that.
Fabolous played the orchestral hardcore song “Buss Down” with Dave, discussing that all they wanted was Rollie, so they got some before “Walk wit Me”, giving everyone advice in a jazz-rap vibe. A quick walk together. “Lift ‘Em Up” featuring Benny the Butcher returns to the symphonic edge, talking about having better patience and only broke people thinking money can solve problems, but then “Roll Up” is once again jazz-influenced , I don’t know what kind of life many people live. He did it.
“Joe Jackson,” a collaboration with OT the Real, kicks off the other half of “Living Proof,” with both men warning rappers about acting like something they’re not, which results in them getting shot, while “All I Know” returns in a trap direction Staged for shit he could die for. Giggs’ “Same Shit” finds the pair boasting that they’re still with the exact same group of friends they came up with, while Luther Ingram’s Ransom sample “To the Other Man”‘s “Everything for Sale” Admit they did bad things and grow better.
The final stretch of the LP begins on a psychedelic note, with “The Love Fake” tackling themes of jealousy and his legacy not being tarnished once he’s gone, while the luxurious trap-flavored “Run Down” is narrated by Millyz. People simply don’t understand it. “The Other Side” passionately warns in the final moments that money is not a thing because you can’t take it away, and “Barbara” finally tells the titular person that he misses her.
Living Proof highlights the two collaborators’ shared vision and chemistry, delivering one of the best releases of the year and certainly one of the 2016 XXL Freshman’s career high points. araabMUZIK’s signature production remains consistent, ranging from boom beats to trap, chipmunk soul and jazzy rap on APT 6E, giving Dave East plenty of room to work harder than he did in the summer Lyrical.
Score: 8/10
