Here is the long-awaited 3rd studio LP from Atlanta, Georgia rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Quavo. Rising to prominence in 2013 as 1/3 of the Migos with his nephew Takeoff & Offset, he would also form the duo Huncho Jack in late 2016 with Travis Scott & drop their only album thus far Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho to mixed reception. Quavo Huncho left audiences divided even I still enjoy “Workin’ Me” although Rocket Power remembered his fallen Unc & Phew cohort Takeoff following his tragic murder few weeks after the release of their only album Only Built for Infinity Links. Virginia producer, singer/songwriter, rapper, fashion designer, film composer, entrepreneur, Billionaire Boys Club/Icecream founder & Louis Vuitton’s creative director for men’s fashion Pharrell fully producing Qrömelife however had me hoping it would surpass the 2023 predecessor.
“Backward$” featuring T.I. premiering a week prior to Sami Zayn becoming a 2-time WWE Champion begins hopping over a trap instrumental with some heavy 808s for a “Welcome to Atlanta” sequel whereas “B.A. (Bernard Arnault)” featuring Future works in some synthesizers to talk about their wealth. The horn heavy “Hit-A-Lik” discusses making it out of the streets despite sounding like a DoorDash commercial while “Away” featuring Offset comes through with a spiritual successor to “Stir Fry” talking about escapism & each of them being far away from the ghetto these days.
Pharrell & WANG$AP appear for “Baby Breath” so they can get boastful even if Tyler, The Creator was clearly trolling in terms of his verse being the best of his career while the club-catered pop rap/trap 2nd single “Trance (Walk It Down)” talks about Huncho’s luxurious ways of living channeling the 80s freestyle era. “Factory Trim” reaches the halfway point flipping the bird at everyone who doubted him & yearning to crowd-surf while “Sweep” kicks off the 2nd leg talking about making money.
“Ball My Love” featuring Lil Baby finds both artists telling their lovers that time seems to always speed up whenever they’re spending time with them & after “Hayou Dewdat” featuring Yung Miami interpolates “How You Do Dat?” by the late Young Bleed featuring C-Loc & Master P for a braggadocious anthem over an Atlanta bass beat, the 4th & final single “House Music” featuring Justin Timberlake however throws it back to the days of synthwave for a pop/hip hop duet providing a soundtrack for those looking to purchase a home.
The song “Thick in the Mirror” continues the album’s final moments talking about the way his girl’s built & promising her entire life will change if she goes out for the evening but once the lead single “HAAVIN’” experiments with rage for a look back at all the success he’s experience whether it’s with the Migos or his individual output, “Destined” wraps up a look at the Qrömelife refusing to apologize for any more blessings that come his way past this point & confidently talking about his fame all being apart of his plan.
Honoring the healing process of Takeoff’s death, Pharrell still manages to produce the best Quavo solo album of the 3 he’s dropped in nearly a decade taking a more experimentally upbeat approach than either of Qrömelife’s predecessors. Although I wouldn’t put it on the same pedestal as Clipse’s comeback Let God Sort ‘Em Out the previous summer in absolutely no way shape or form, I still appreciate Skateboard P bridging the gap between the dirty south & funk music along with the consistent performances Huncho & company mostly deliver.
Score: 4/5
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