Future, Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD | Album Review 💿

Following a two-year hiatus between proper ‘solo’ albums, Future returns with the enjoyable, well-rounded ‘Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD.’

If you haven’t already noticed, Atlanta rapper Future never seems to be out of the spotlight for very long.  He’s one of the most ubiquitous rappers in the game in regard to releasing his own projects as well as collaborating with others.  While he’s released at least one project every year since 2014, Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD marks his first proper solo album in two years (FUTURE and HNDRXX, 2018).  All in all, it’s an enjoyable, well-rounded effort from the autotune-loving rapper.

“Never Stop”

✓ “Never Stop” kicks off The WIZRD in surprisingly mellow fashion.  Future eats it up, embracing a full-on, melodic approach. What does he spit about? His come-up in the rap game. Among the memorable lines:

“Came from whippin’ out the bowl, Tom Ford suit and tie
Get my grandma to serve my dope, that ain’t a lie
You can tell I’ve been broke when you look into my eyes
Nobody done noticed till the jet was in the sky.”

If “Never Stop” was too mellow for some, the brief but effective “Jumpin on a Jet” is your typical Future banger.  He’s repetitive, leans into his autotune, and continues to be chocked-full of swagger.  On the even shorter follow-up “Rocket Ship,” he asserts, “I’ve been poppin’ since my demos, bitch.” This serves as the opening line from the chorus, the best moment from this particular record. No, he doesn’t offer anything transcendent, but listeners are blessed with a sensational flow, and the aforementioned chorus (“Ice on both arms, got me in galaxy / Louis V throw-on, got me arrogant, yeah”). “Temptation” adds a couple more seconds to the duration, not to mention featuring two verses. One has to raise eyebrows when he raps, “Heard that bitch makin’ up rumors / She gave more head than a tumor.” Wow…

“Crushed Up”

“Plain Jane, Jackie Chan, Richard Mille / You gon’ be the one bust it down, I can see it.”✓ “Crushed Up” doesn’t find Future switching up his style, yet, he remains ‘in the zone.’ Set in a minor key, the record is anchored by archetypical trap percussion and surrounded by lovely, ‘gangsta’ synths.  The chorus, which follows the aforementioned intro, keeps things basic AF: “Diamonds in the face crushed up, I can see it.” This is what we’ve come to expect from the Future, and he doesn’t divert from the script whatsoever.  His verses are filled with materialism and drugs.  He’s so confident that at one point, he asserts, “I just put my whole damn arm in the fridge.” “Crushed Up” isn’t game changing, but enjoyable enough. 

The hits keep on coming after the familiar “Crushed Up.”✓ “F&N” (named after a gun, shocker) benefits from its dark, minor key production, anchored by the best beat the trap has to offer.  Split into two parts, the switch-up helps to make “F&N” one of the best and most distinct offerings from The WIZRD.  The flow is sick, with Future delivering some of his most electrifying bars of the effort. He keeps up the hot streak on the short but sweet  ✓ “Call the Coroner,” asserting, “I wanna live like a drug lord, but I wanna be glorious.”  He’s also ‘on’ on another quickie, ✓ “Talk Shit Like a Preacher” where he references sex, money, material, and all things flex. “F&N” is the most elite of this bunch, but “Call the Coroner” and “Talk Shit Like a Preacher” are no slouches.

“Promise U That”

“Promise U That” slackens the pace and extends the length – well, beyond three minutes that is.  Future puts the flexing aside, at least long enough to focus on matters of the heart… or the bedroom. The production is gorgeous – a luxurious, southern rap slow jam at its best. “Stick to the Models” sounds like Future ala Pluto, with some similarities to say, “Same Damn Time.” Sure, “Same Damn Time” goes harder, but this is a good look for the rapper. The hook is fire, while the verses aren’t deep, yet incredibly entertaining.

“I got two blonde snow bunnies
Sendin’ me pics to the ‘Gram
I got some bitches, they linin’ up
They wanna fuck me just ‘cause who I am.”

“Swag overdose (yeah), swag to the most / Body bag Dior, as well as Saint Laurent / Balenciaga, run it up (Balenci’), pop collar with a slut…” Future keeps it ‘short and sweet’ on “Overdose,” the 11^th track from Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD.  On “Overdose,” it’s safe to say he remains true to self.  The backdrop suits the trap, autotune-loving Atlanta rapper. Providing the fuel for the fire for Future are looped apocalyptic-sounding synths, anchored by sleek, trap percussion. Unsurprisingly, he’s turnt up to the nth degree.

“Krazy But True”

“They jumped on my wave before they throwed Max in the cage.” “Krazy But True” finds Future ‘feeling himself’ and acknowledging his influence on the current generation of rappers.  Even though he’s confident (“I’m fresher than them every day”), he also seems to highlight his individuality – what makes him unique. ✓ “Servin Killa Kam” adds a bit more edge to The WIZRD, with more banging beats, not to mention some lovely ‘keys’ within the backdrop.  Future is aggressive – locked-in and turned up.

Long after “Talk Shit Like a Preacher,” the listeners get another ‘religious’ cut, ✓ “Baptiize.” The content of “Baptiize” is unlikely to grace your minister’s Sunday sermon, particularly when Future asserts, “Went and baptized my wrist in VVS,” sigh.  Despite the blasphemy, there’s lots to ‘eat up’ about this joint, including Future sampling himself (“Slave Master”) and the banging second part of the record.

“Unicorn Purp” 

“Gave that Phillipe to that lil bitty bitch and I made her a monster.” If you hadn’t noticed, much of The WIZRD is dominated by Future himself. Finally, by banger ✓ “Unicorn Purp,” the 15^th track, there are some featured guests.  Future remains the star, dominating the majority of the record, with ad-libs courtesy of the ever-idiosyncratic Young Thug. Young Thug also gets his time to shine, with ad-libs provided by Gunna. The results are strong.  “Goin Dummi” naturally has a tough act to follow but benefits from its sleek production if nothing else.  There are no brand-new or grand statements issued, but it’s respectable.

“First Off” marks the second and final record to feature a guest. Travis Scott is a perfect match for Future – two distinct hip-hop personalities you might say.  Arguably, the crowning achievement of the record is the pre-chorus, where Future asserts, “Yeah, I’m back on the Forbes, shit crazy / I make more than Dwayne Wade, baby.” Follow-up “Faceshot” gives the rapper another banger, which goes off without a hitch.  He remains confident on the penultimate record “Ain’t Coming Back,” while “Tricks on Me” delivers the hella memorable lyric, “I’m Future Hendrix, but I’m not a guitarist.”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD is a well-rounded, enjoyable album by Future.  There are plenty of hits, and he successfully captures all different facets of himself.  Does he ever go extremely deep beyond the expected? No, but again, we don’t expect that from a rapper whose rhymes are fueled by drugs, material, and shallowness.  The biggest rub in regard to this album is it runs long, even with the number of shorter songs on it.  Still, it’s no deal breaker. 

✓ Gems: “Never Stop” “Crushed Up,” “F&N,” “Call the Coroner,” “Talk Shit Like a Preacher,” “Stick to the Models,” “Servin Killa Kam,” “Baptiize” & “Unicorn Purp”

Future • Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD • Epic • Release: 1.18.19

Photo Credit: Epic