Top tracks — play these first
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They Wanna Kill You Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Mama I Made It — This track captures East's journey from struggle to success, featuring heartfelt reflections that resonate with anyone pursuing their dreams. Its emotional weight and relatable lyrics highlight his growth as an artist.
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What You Mad At — In this song, East addresses critics and naysayers directly, showcasing his confidence and determination while also offering insight into the challenges he faces as a rising star.
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The Marathon Continues (Nipsey tribute) — This poignant tribute not only honors Nipsey Hussle but also encapsulates themes of perseverance and legacy, reinforcing East's connection to the broader hip-hop community.
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 cohesive flow across its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'They Wanna Kill You' and 'The Marathon Continues' employ vivid imagery and personal storytelling, creating a strong emotional connection.
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty storytelling with resilience
- reflective moments of introspection
- hard-hitting beats for motivation
- late-night urban reflection
- emotional depth in every track
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lighthearted party vibes
- prefer straightforward structure
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Survival is Dave East's first studio album, solidifying his growing commercial appeal.
- Career context
- At the time of its release, Survival marked Dave East's first studio album after several successful mixtapes, including his breakthrough project, Kairi Chanel in 2016. The album reflects his rise in the hip-hop scene, showcasing a more polished sound while maintaining his authentic narrative style. This album further solidified East as a prominent voice in contemporary hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- J. Cole· Nas· Kendrick Lamar
Tracklist
- 1 They Wanna Kill You Start here 2:34
- 2 Penthouse 3:39
- 3 Godfather 4 4:11
- 4 Need a Sign 6:23
- 5 On My Way 2 School 3:33
- 6 Seventeen 3:06
- 7 Mama I Made It 4:37
- 8 OG 3:41
- 9 What’s Goin On 3:07
- 10 Baby 3:17
- 11 Alone 4:20
- 12 Everyday 3:21
- 13 Devil Eyes 5:21
- 14 Night Shift 3:42
- 15 Wanna Be a G 4:17
- 16 Me & Mines 4:05
- 17 Daddy Knows 3:21
- 18 What You Mad At 4:55
- 19 On Sight 2:42
- 20 The Marathon Continues (Nipsey tribute) 3:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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