By Lily Perez |Staff Writer|
Solid hooks, catchy rhymes and poetic lyrics establish Isaiah Rashad as an artist to watch out for with his debut EP Cilvia.
This EP reads into a young man dealing with a lot of human emotions and personal issues. Rashad sets himself apart from other rappers with original twist on old school style of rapping.
Isaiah Rashad McClain, better known as Isaiah Rashad, is an American hip hop recording artist from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
When listening to rap I expect something with a fast pace, however moments into the EP Rashad rhymes along to a slow beat that is present in most of his songs far from the upbeat and fast pace album I was expecting.
The first track “Hereditary” opens up the album on a hazy and somber note as Rashad touches on a message seen throughout the album of a young man struggling with daddy issues.
Rashad raps, “My daddy taught me how to drink my pain away…My daddy taught me how to leave somebody,” letting listeners know the only lessons he learned from his father were negative.
“I like the lyrics of this song because of the way he expresses that he is and acts how he does because of his father,” said Alisha Villalobos.
The sense of this hatred is present in the songs “Banana” and “Soliloquy” where he refers to his estranged father with anger through raw and aggressive lyrics.
“Webbie Flow” serves as an introduction Rashad as he shares facts about himself giving listeners a sense of who he is.
In “R.I.P. Kevin Miller” we learn a bit more about him and see a different side of the rapper.
In this song, he raps about dying with a sense of peace because he has already accomplished more than most and would be leaving a great legacy behind.
Rashad tackles issues about race in “Ronnie Drake” where he addresses the fact that you can still be a victim in today’s age of racism.
Not all of his lyrics are aggressive. In “West Savannah” he talks about how young love can overshadow the feelings of depression and suicide.
In “Tranquility” Rashad makes it clear that he questions life, people’s and even his own intentions.
“Heavenly Father” is Rashad’s most vulnerable and honest breakdown where he realizes that he is just like his father and expresses his desire to change.
“Shot U Down” serves as the conclusion of Rashad’s coming-of-age story. This song is seen as a ballad of warning to rappers that rap music need to step it up a notch, saying “I’m praying for some good rappers and a Fleetwood.”
“I liked this song because of the catchy beat, he reminded me of Lil’ Wayne a lot while listening to the song,” said Villalobos.
Rashad manages to deliver a solid first project with Cilvia despite his redundant and repetitive message of his feelings towards his father.
Rashad ends his EP with lyrics, “I came, I saw, I conquered, I shot you down,” putting a perfect end to the 14 track EP and making his first project a success with a great foundation of what is to come from this young rapper.
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