What makes Thoughts Become Things by Skillz notable?

The album received positive reviews for its lyrical depth and production quality, reinforcing Skillz's reputation as a thoughtful lyricist in hip-hop. Notably, it features the track '2012 Rap Up,' which continues the tradition of Skillz's year-end recaps and garnered attention for its clever commentary on contemporary events. Thoughts Become Things is Skillz's fifth studio album, released after a brief hiatus following his 2008 project, The World Needs More Skillz. At this point in his career, Skillz was recognized as a veteran in hip-hop, known for his annual 'Rap Up' tracks that summarize the year's events. This album showcases his evolution as an artist while maintaining his signature witty lyricism.

How many songs are on Thoughts Become Things?

Thoughts Become Things has 13 tracks.

Thoughts Become Things

Skillz · 2012

13 tracks · hip-hop

A reflective blend of introspective lyrics and catchy hooks, navigating the complexities of life and self-awareness.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Love n Hip Hop — This track captures the nuances of relationships within the hip-hop culture, blending personal narrative with sharp observations that resonate widely.
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Ignorant Levels — With a catchy hook and clever wordplay, this song exemplifies Skillz's ability to balance humor with serious commentary on societal issues.
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2012 Rap Up — This track epitomizes Skillz's unique talent for summarizing the year's events through rap, showcasing his wit and cultural awareness.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Skillz blends introspection with catchy hooks, showcasing solid writing and production quality.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken intro that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that alternate between upbeat hooks and introspective verses.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response sections, enhancing the engagement of the listener.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

So High

The verses shift from light-hearted reflections to deeper existential musings about success and fulfillment.

This transition reveals a layered approach to songwriting where levity gives way to introspection, enhancing the emotional weight of the song.

Tracklist

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

1 (intro) Hard to Be Me
2 So High
3 Bring the Sparklers Out
4 Love n Hip Hop
5 Ignorant Levels
6 Maybe I Dont Know Her at All
7 Y.A.R.D.T.S.
8 With You
9 Tryin to Get By
10 Zero F's
11 I'm Outchea
12 Thoughts Become Things
13 2012 Rap Up

What to play next

Listen next

Made in Virginia

2014

Go back to

The World Needs More Skillz

2010

Full Skillz discography Artists like Skillz

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata