Isaiah Rashad opens his new album, It’s Been Awful, with a significant note. In the track “The New Sublime,” he prays for sanity, extending his hopes to his entire family. “Somebody pray for me / I’m going crazy,” he sings, adding a promise to remain true to himself and his faith: “I promise you the truest art / I promise not to lose myself / I promise not to shame my God.” These words not only seek listeners’ attention but also reflect Rashad’s personal commitments.
His double promise, symbolized by a wedding band and a debit card, underlines a deep self-assessment, weighing personal value against potential downfall. “It’s profit over love again / Seem like that’s what we sick about,” he reflects, tackling themes of love versus financial success. It’s been five years since Rashad last shared significant work, and he returns following the fallout from two leaked tapes that threatened his career. However, in It’s Been Awful, Rashad embraces a new openness.
Rashad has always been somewhat enigmatic, using abstract lyrics and distinctive styles. Yet, on his latest album, he achieves a new level of intimacy. Rather than a distant figure, the rapper engages his audience like a close friend, exploring themes where love is mistrusted and trauma binds. Rashad shifts toward understanding love as central to self-discovery, realizing past choices have distanced him from self-love.
In producing over 100 demos within 18 months, Rashad tapped emotional depths. He confronted previous misogynistic elements in his work, aiming for something progressive without derogatory remarks about women. “I don’t have one bar talking bad about a woman,” he proudly states, moving away from previous escapism.
Rashad’s journey unveils his confrontation with identity and societal norms. He acknowledges the mixed reaction to his sexuality revelation, noting unexpected support within the hip-hop community. “The best ones were, ‘I love you.’ ‘Keep going,'” he recalls. Rashad’s openness creates a discourse on masculinity and vulnerability, addressing topics traditionally underrepresented in his community.
The album’s creation encouraged Rashad to embrace sensitivity amidst traditional notions of masculinity. “I’ma cry while I do it,” he admits, recognizing a duality in self-identity that resonates with his experiences. Rashad’s evolving self-expression aligns with his desire to foster meaningful connections with listeners.
With tracks like “The New Sublime” and “Act Normal,” Rashad delves into fear, mistrust, and reflection on love’s nature. His exploration includes complex emotions and societal perceptions, questioning whether love or community might suffice. Rashad’s candidness strengthens his music, allowing him to reveal vulnerabilities often hidden in the rap world.
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