COC2 > CLB > Donda.

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Cream of Crop 2, the latest album from HAKIM, is the perfect yin to the yang-length albums of Donda and Certified Lover Boy. Seven songs are plated up for us on this project, a sure sign that it’s only an appetizer for a bigger compilation coming in 2022 (he’s been telling us, are you listening yet?). And in the seventeen minutes of COC2, HAKIM lays it on heavier lyrically than either Drake or Ye did in their hours-plus. Some lines that stuck out to me were:

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“I ain’t new to this.” — Take a Minute

“Heard you folded like a wallet wit’ no Benjamins.

I’m stackin’ Jacksons that I made, all from the businesses.

And you ain’t get no fraction,

you was lackin’ puttin’ hours in.” — Take a Minute

“I did it for the love,

you was focused on them dollar signs.” — Take a Minute

“Gotta play your part,

I know it take a minute.” — Take a Minute

“Ain’t gon’ go get passive if I cut the ribbon.

If I keep this up it gon’ be multi-million.” — Take a Minute

“Took the pen from out the oven,

had to write this with a mit.” — Take a Minute

“I don’ came back harder, found my worth,

put that in a fee.” — New Edition

“Started comin’ up when I learned how to move different,

I’m a problem ‘cause they don’ know what to do wit’ me.” — Stay Away

“I got yo’ back, you got my back

so let’s not question the trust.

…you helped me out of the mud,

so you deserve those sandy beaches, with yo’ feet in the sun.” — Stay Away

“I learned God don’t give no blessin’s out if you ain’t ready.” — Back Seat Freestyle

“Sweet 16,

these bars and verses just as sweet as candy.” — Back Seat Freestyle

“Feel like Olaf on this mic,

in fact I think I’m colder.

I should say it twice, no ice

but express I’m polar.

Bet I take this all the way,

nothin’ less than mogul.” — Back Seat Freestyle

“It ain’t never ‘bout location,

it’s ‘bout who you is.

I’m the realest in the room

and still the quiet kid.

The ones that’s loudest,

always find out they a lame gent.” — The Drill

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Again, I’m impressed with what HAKIM did on this album. He’s digging into his bag deeper and deeper on his Sound, but also succeeding when going lateral a little, with different productions of vibe and sound. I’ll emphasize the album’s length once more, and here’s why I think it worked so well for Cole’s The Off Season and HAKIM here: Shorter=more repeatable, and more repetitions add strength to the song’s favorability to the listener—via increasing familiarity with the lyrics so that 1) it’s easier to vibe along with and mimic (sing/rap/whatever) ourselves; and 2) the listener gets to digest the meaning behind the lyrics more fully, and appreciate the creativity and wisdom of them.

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Cream of Crop 2 is yet another flower in the bouquet that HAKIM’s due for, in recognition and respect as an artist.