Top tracks — play these first
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Talk to Big Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Woke Up — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics that reflect on personal growth and overcoming adversity while maintaining East's signature narrative style.
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Thank You — In this heartfelt track, East expresses gratitude for his journey and those who supported him, showcasing vulnerability rarely seen in his previous work.
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Violent — This song captures the harsh realities of street life through vivid imagery and a relentless flow, affirming East's commitment to authenticity in his music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid writing and production but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of atmospheric production, with many tracks incorporating moody instrumentals that complement the lyrical themes.
- Several tracks utilize a conversational flow, where Dave East alternates between storytelling and introspective reflections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- reflective moments of personal growth
- short tracks for quick listening
- introspective stories from the streets
- emotional honesty in every verse
Maybe skip if you
- want heavy production layers
- prefer upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — This album is well-regarded among dedicated fans for its lyrical depth.
- Career context
- By the time Dave East released Paranoia 2 in January 2018, he was establishing himself as a prominent voice in hip-hop following his 2017 EP, Paranoia: A True Story. This project served as a follow-up to his earlier work, building on his growing reputation and showcasing his lyrical prowess and storytelling ability.
- Stylistic neighbors
- J. Cole· Nas· Kendrick Lamar
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Woke Up
The moment shifts from recounting past struggles to celebrating newfound clarity and determination in life choices.
This transition effectively illustrates a journey from darkness to light, marking a significant moment of transformation in East's narrative arc.
Tracklist
- 1 Talk to Big Start here 4:28
- 2 Prosper 3:57
- 3 Woke Up 3:12
- 4 Powder 3:35
- 5 Corey 5:16
- 6 Thank You 3:43
- 7 I Can Not 3:27
- 8 Regular Harlem Shit 0:50
- 9 Annoying 2:58
- 10 What Made Me 3:57
- 11 Violent 3:55
- 12 I Found Keisha 4:00
- 13 Maintain 2:46
- 14 Never Been 3:46
- 15 Grateful 6:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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