What makes Hawaiian Snow by Danny Brown notable?

Hawaiian Snow garnered attention for its innovative production and unique style, contributing to the rise of alternative hip-hop in the early 2010s. The project also became notable for its candid exploration of personal struggles and substance use, resonating strongly within hip-hop culture and influencing subsequent artists. In 2010, Danny Brown released Hawaiian Snow as his first project after signing with Fool's Gold Records. This album followed his critically acclaimed mixtape, The Hybrid, marking an important step in his transition from underground to mainstream recognition.

Who is Hawaiian Snow for?

Hawaiian Snow works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, psychedelic beats for vibrant moods and gritty narratives that provoke thought.

How many songs are on Hawaiian Snow?

Hawaiian Snow has 12 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Hawaiian Snow

Danny Brown · 2010

44 min · 12 tracks · alternative hip-hop

Eclectic beats blend with sharp lyricism, creating a vibrant and experimental soundscape that captures the essence of urban life.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Roll Up — The opening track sets the tone with its infectious beat and catchy hook, encapsulating Danny’s playful yet introspective lyrical style.
→
My Life’s the Shit — This track showcases Danny Brown's raw storytelling ability, painting a vivid picture of his experiences and challenges while maintaining a lively production.
→
Cyclops — With its unconventional structure and introspective lyrics, this song highlights Brown's willingness to experiment with form while delving into deeper themes of isolation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Hawaiian Snow showcases innovative production and unique vocal styles, marking a significant step in alternative hip-hop.

What we noticed

Danny Brown's vocal delivery varies significantly across tracks, alternating between rapid-fire verses and more laid-back flows, which keeps the listener engaged.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt transitions and varying lengths, challenging traditional hip-hop formats.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
psychedelic beats for vibrant moods
gritty narratives that provoke thought
for casual late-night hangs

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced instant gratification
seek straightforward lyrical simplicity

Where this album fits

Career context: In 2010, Danny Brown released Hawaiian Snow as his first project after signing with Fool's Gold Records. This album followed his critically acclaimed mixtape, The Hybrid, marking an important step in his transition from underground to mainstream recognition.
Stylistic neighbors: Death Grips· Aesop Rock· JPEGMafia

New to Danny Brown? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Roll Up 3:02
2 Bags Double Tied 3:43
3 So High 4:09
4 Trap Ball 4:03
5 On One 3:33
6 O.M.G 3:09
7 Trippin 4:34
8 What Up 3:53
9 My Cup 2:59
10 My Life’s the Shit 4:23
11 Nothing to Lose 3:47
12 Cyclops 3:17

What to play next

Listen next

The Hybrid

2010

Full Danny Brown discography Where to start with Danny Brown Artists like Danny Brown

alternative hip-hop experimental hip-hop hardcore hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata