What makes Longterm Mentality by Ab-Soul notable?

Longterm Mentality solidified Ab-Soul's reputation within the hip-hop scene, particularly on the West Coast, receiving praise from critics for its lyrical depth. The album contributed to TDE's rise as a powerhouse label in the industry, helping pave the way for future releases from its members. Released in 2011, Longterm Mentality was Ab-Soul's first full-length album after his acclaimed mixtape, Do What Thou Wilt. At this point, he was establishing himself as a key figure in the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) collective, gaining traction alongside artists like Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q.

How many songs are on Longterm Mentality?

Longterm Mentality has 14 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Longterm Mentality

Ab-Soul · 2011

58 min · 14 tracks · West Coast hip-hop

A contemplative blend of introspective lyrics and smooth West Coast rhythms that invite listeners into Ab-Soul's psyche.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gone Insane — This track exemplifies Ab-Soul's introspection, addressing mental health and personal struggles with a raw honesty that resonates throughout the album.
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Hell Yeah — Pairing clever wordplay with a catchy hook, this track showcases Ab-Soul's ability to balance deep themes with more accessible sounds, making it a standout anthem.
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Top Dawg Under Dawg — In this track, Ab-Soul reflects on his place within the TDE hierarchy, delivering verses that are both braggadocious and vulnerable, embodying his complex identity as an artist.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical content and smooth production, establishing Ab-Soul's unique voice in hip-hop.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of laid-back, jazzy instrumentals that complement the introspective nature of the lyrics.
Ab-Soul employs varied flows and rhyme schemes across tracks, often switching between rapid-fire verses and more relaxed deliveries.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments or interludes that provide context to the themes explored in the songs.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

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

1 Real Thinkers 3:46
2 Gone Insane 4:24
3 Loosen My Tie 4:29
4 Nothing New 3:28
5 Hell Yeah 4:17
6 Moscato 4:39
7 Top Dawg Under Dawg 3:28
8 Time Is of the Essence 4:42
9 More of a Euphoria 3:16
10 Picture That 5:18
11 Big Payback 3:45
12 Almost There 4:01
13 #LTM 5:20
14 Constipation 3:26

What to play next

Listen next

Control System

2012

Full Ab-Soul discography Artists like Ab-Soul

West Coast hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata