Blackbear, digital druglord | Album Review 💿

Blackbear shines on his highly anticipated new album, digital druglord.  Digital druglord comprises of drugs, money, and sex. 

Blackbear – aka Mat Musto – is one interesting dude. No, it’s not solely because of the numerous tats he has, but because of his musical versatility. Stylistically, his niche is in the urban realm, slated somewhere between rap and R&B.  Interestingly, up until this point, his biggest claim to fame happens to be a background role: co-writer of the Justin Bieber hit, “Boyfriend,” alongside friend and mansionz collaborator, Mike Posner.  But this isn’t about Justin Bieber or Mike Posner. It’s about blackbear, who drops his new album, digital druglord.

“Hell is where I dreamt of u and woke up alone”

Blackbear opens digital druglord with a bang.  “Hell is where I dreamt of u and woke up alone” begins with a reference to drugs: “My nose is burning / Too much cocaine…/ ‘Cause I just railed down enough lines tonight / To spell your first and last name.” Drugs may fuel the fire for blackbear, but ultimately, he’s depressed because he “Dreamt of you / And woke up alone.”

On “moodz,” blackbear is assisted by 24hrs.  Lyrically, everything is centered on the fact that he has two moods.  Throughout, blackbear illustrates two contrasting things, essentially suggesting he feels both ways at different times.  In some respects it’s simple and repetitive, but it’s hard to avoid being sucked into his mindset.  As for 24hrs, he focuses on money, smoking, and sex.

“I Miss the old u”

✓ “I Miss the old u” finds blackbear pissed at his girl.  Essentially, she’s become shallow in his eyes, hence losing her authenticity.  His descriptions are definitely profane, including characterizing her as an “ungrateful bitch” and later “fucking cold.” On the chorus, interestingly, he doesn’t exempt missing himself:

“I miss the old me
I miss the way I used to be
I miss the old me
And now these drugs controllin’ me
It’s all your fault, baby
Still reaching for the Henny.”

Among the more interesting moments is the second verse, where blackbear cites his girl’s shallowness:

“I miss the old you
Before you fucked G-Eazy
Both the Migos too
Started bumping 21
And now just ‘cause we do…”

“Do re mi”

✓ “Do re mi” has nothing to do with pitch syllables, aka solfege – at least beyond constructing a hella catchy chorus:

“Do re mi fa so fuckin’ done with you, girl
So fuckin’ done with all the games you play
I ain’t no tic tac toe
Send the X and O’s on another note.”

Using those pitch syllables only amplifies the catchiness and cleverness of “Do re mi.” As with “I Miss the old u,” blackbear isn’t happy with his girl.  If he didn’t break up with her previously, “do re mi” is the final straw.  Remaining profane, he asserts, “Bitch, you crazy.”

“Wish u the best” continues to connect with the rest of the narrative of digital druglord.  At the end of the first verse, blackbear alludes to “I Miss the old u.”  On “I Miss the old u,” he sung:

“And I never got a single fuckin’ thank you from you
Or, ‘I love you daddy.’”

On “Wish u the best,” at the end of the second verse, he sings:

“You and your girls drank all my liquor
And y’all ain’t even say thanks, ho.”

On the second verse, there’s more depth – at least contextually speaking.  He seems to reflect on what could’ve been, but chooses to focus on money, material things, and excess.

“Juicy sweatsuits”

✓ “Juicy sweatsuits” continues to find blackbear speaking ill of his exes.  Through his eyes, his exes want him back and are clearly trying to make him angry by joining forces.  He is unfazed, criticizing their poor choices – namely cocaine usage – and ultimately being thankful he’s out of the relationship.  Juicy J remains true to himself, referencing the Wraith (it was mentioned earlier on digital druglord) and essentially, paralleling his come-up with upgrading his chick.

“You think you can do better, you just lyin’ to yourself 
Can’t name one n*gga that can never keep up
My last chick wasn’t dope enough, I had to re-up.”

“Double” features double meanings, depending upon the instance that the word appears at any given time of the song.  On the chorus, blackbear shares the main meaning:

“I could change your whole damn life in a day
Why would you wait on a train that’s never coming, girl?
I could give you double, baby
Why would you wait? Why would you wait on a man that’s never growing up?”

Basically, he wants her to know he can “Treat you better / Than he can.” The other uses of the word double include sex (“I’ma hit it double, baby”), money (“I’ma make it back double”), hallucinations (“seeing double”), and quantity (“I been drinking double”).

“If I could I would feel nothing”

Once more, on standout ✓ “If I could I would feel nothing,” blackbear is brutally honest.  Although he has money, he’s still unhappy.  Furthermore, even though he plans to hook up, it’s nothing more than empty sex – a one night stand.  Throughout this slow, but rhythmic joint, blackbear emphasizes “no feelings, no strings attached, girl.”

“Chateau” is about the superficial as opposed to important, meaningful things or experiences.  Consider his visit to the Chateau as an extension of “If I could I would feel nothing.”  There is no transcendence, just shallowness – the temporariness of “Fucking in a California king [bed].” “Make Daddy Proud” concludes digital druglord, with blackbear acknowledging how fake his ex was in order to attain perks.

“Proud of you, proud of you
Go ‘head girl, make daddy proud of you
Spending his money.”

Final Thoughts

So, can blackbear change your whole damn life in a day? Maybe, just maybe. Digital druglord is an enjoyable effort that weaves elements of drugs, sex, and relationships together.  This effort isn’t perfectly assembled, but there’s more to love about digital druglord than to hate.  Blackbear has definitely got next.

✓ Gems: “I Miss the old u,” “do re mi,” “Juicy sweatsuits” & “If I could I would feel nothing”

Blackbear • digital druglord • Interscope • Release: 4.21.17

Photo Credit: Interscope