What makes White Men Are Black Men Too by Young Fathers notable?

The album received widespread critical acclaim, earning high praise from outlets like The Guardian and Pitchfork, which noted its bold experimentation and social commentary. It reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and solidified Young Fathers' reputation as innovators within the hip-hop genre. By the time 'White Men Are Black Men Too' was released in January 2015, Young Fathers had already garnered significant attention with their debut album, 'Dead,' which won the Mercury Prize in 2014. This follow-up album marked a pivotal moment for the group as they continued to reshape their sonic identity and expand their thematic scope.

Who is White Men Are Black Men Too for?

White Men Are Black Men Too works well if you're into dynamic shifts in mood, introspective themes of identity and short tracks for quick engagement.

How many songs are on White Men Are Black Men Too?

White Men Are Black Men Too has 14 tracks, running approximately 104 minutes.

White Men Are Black Men Too

Young Fathers · 2015

104 min · 14 tracks · hip-hop

A genre-bending exploration of identity, blending hip-hop with eclectic sounds and powerful lyrical narratives.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Shame — This track stands out for its raw, confessional lyrics that tackle themes of guilt and societal expectations, showcasing the group's unique vocal harmonies.
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27 — In just over two minutes, this song captures a sense of urgency and introspection, blending hypnotic beats with poignant reflections on loss.
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Rain or Shine — This track exemplifies the album's eclecticism, interweaving uplifting melodies with darker undertones, effectively illustrating the duality of hope and despair.
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Sirens — With its driving rhythm and haunting vocals, this track serves as a metaphorical call to action, addressing themes of societal injustice and resilience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong writing and production choices while exploring varied themes and sounds.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that features layered vocal harmonies and a steady, driving beat, setting a dynamic tone for the record.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as strings and electronic elements, creating a diverse sound palette.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic shifts in mood
introspective themes of identity
short tracks for quick engagement
vibrant energy for group listening
layered sounds for deep exploration

Maybe skip if you

prefer predictable song structures
seek mainstream radio hits

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'White Men Are Black Men Too' was released in January 2015, Young Fathers had already garnered significant attention with their debut album, 'Dead,' which won the Mercury Prize in 2014. This follow-up album marked a pivotal moment for the group as they continued to reshape their sonic identity and expand their thematic scope.
Stylistic neighbors: Shabazz Palaces· Death Grips· Run the Jewels