Logic, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind | Album Review

Logic continues to be prolific in regard to quantity, but his latest album, ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind’ falls short of the glory of his best work.

Grammy-nominated rapper Logic has proven himself as one of the most prolific rappers in the game.  He doesn’t seem to slow down, releasing two projects (Bobby Tarantino II and YSIV) in 2018, in addition to the ‘suspect’ Supermarket (Soundtrack) in 2019. Now, he’s back with another brand-new studio album in the first half of 2019, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.  Confessions of a Dangerous Mind has its fair share of intriguing moments but falls short of the glory of Bobby Hall’s best work.

“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” 

“What’s your name? What’s your game? / Come now, boy, just spit your flow / Feel the pain with the gain, what you tryna say though? /… Can’t refrain from lettin’ these people know.” Arguably the biggest selling point of opener ✓ “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” is the production work.  The backdrop assembled by 6ix is nothing short of celestial.  The sound crafted is introspective, amplifying the vibe that Logic seeks to capture with his rhymes.  As usual, the agile rapper throws a lot of lyrics at the listener, even as mellow and introspective as the title track can be at times.  Scan over the lyrics, and there’s a little bit of everything as he references anxiety, fame, and criticism from others.  He has his fair share of points and respectable rhymes, but it’s a lot to absorb, even stretched across nearly five minutes. The pros easily outweigh the cons, led by production and rhymes (for the most part), while the vibe is insane.

“Homicide”

On the follow up, ✓ “Homicide”, Logic doesn’t handle ‘the kill’ all by himself, enlisting Eminem. “Homicide” opens with sketchy, mysterious, minor-key production, accompanied by a brief intro. He follows up with the quick-paced hook, backed by malicious, minimalist production (“Fuck rap / Bustin’ like an addict with a semi-automatic / Who done had it, and he ready for anybody to buck back / Hold up, catch a vibe, ain’t no way in hell we leavin’ nobody alive…”).  There is little separation between the hook and agile AF first verse by the rapper.  Notably, his flow is stellar, while he keeps things alluring by changing his vocal inflections throughout the verse (“I’m foamin’ at the mouth, ain’t nobody takin’ me out / Every single rapper in the industry, yeah, they know what I’m about / And I dare you to test me…”).

Logic remains lethal on the second verse, (“We gon’ leave ‘em crucified, we call this shit genocide”), before turning the reins over to Eminem. “Gun toters that pull triggers like crazy / Unloadin’, leave you shot up in your Rover,” Eminem spits early-on, continuing, “Your body goes limp and slumps over / Like A-Rod in a month lull, but he just homered.” Notably, “Homicide” features an outro by comedian Chris D’Elia, who did a hilarious parody of Eminem.  Essentially, “Homicide” seems to be a diss to less prodigious rappers in the game. Logic confirms this spitting about the shallow aspects of hip-hop culture, compared to the product being output. Neither rapper ‘changes the game’ with “Homicide,” but it’s a worthwhile flex.

“Wannabe”

“How much does fame weigh? / A gram.” “Wannabe,” which clocks in at just about one-minute-and-20 seconds, fits the vein of shorter rap songs comprised of one verse and two choruses.  Logic focuses on how draining it is to attain fame, specifically via means of social media.  Interestingly, he references Kanye West and YG: “Why you think Kanye crazy? / Why you think YG in Brazy like, ‘Suu whoop’.” ✓ “clickbait” is twice as long, but still brief, as he continues focusing on social media clout, in addition to referencing drugs and sex.  Notably, on this often pop-rapped number, he references Lil Peep (“Say I should empty the whole bottle in my mouth like Peep / And overdose, immortalize myself”) and Charlamagne (“I don’t do the Breakfast Club ‘cause Charlamagne is shameless”).  Of Charlamagne, he’s most critical of homophobic accusations, going so far as to say, “I’d suck a dick just to prove it ain’t that way…”

✓ “Mama / Show Love” featuring YBN Cordae gives Confessions of a Dangerous Mind a fiery two-part song. On the “Mama,” both Logic (verses one and three) and YBN Cordae (verse two) go ‘H.A.M.’ over hard-nosed, malicious production work.  “Show Love” continues to find Bobby on autopilot, with a more ‘optimistic’ backdrop behind him that still slaps.  The flow continues to be his best attribute, but the rhymes are potent as well. “Out of Sight” is another short joint, just crossing the two-minute mark.  Production continues to be a selling point, as does the overall energy exhibited.  That said, it’s more flex than anything else – don’t call it profound.

“Pardon My Ego”

If it hasn’t been mentioned previously, production ranks among the chief pros of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, even where the rhymes fall short.  That’s the case on “Pardon My Ego” which benefits from the skills of mainstay producer 6ix as well as CuBeatz.  Logic captures his egotistical nature, as well as that of the fame-hungry superbly.  His flow is ripe and while the rhymes are ‘empty,’ it perfectly fits the vibe of the track.  Notably, he makes one of the many references to his junk again (“All my haters can suck my penis”).  On the banger “COMMANDO,” he joins forces with G-Eazy.  According to the super confident G-Eazy, “Ladies and gentlemen, the moment y’all been waiting for / Gerald and Bobby, the clash of the titans, go tell somebody.” That definitely fits the overconfidence that characterizes Confessions – definitely overblown bravado. But, what else do you expect from a turn-up track?

A lack of substance continues on follow-up banger “Icy” featuring Gucci Mane.  If anything, “Icy” is a temporary high for Logic, and the comedown is not pretty.  This cut is built on every cliché and platitude you can think of in the rap game. When Gucci Mane asserts himself as “A human glacier, wrist full of frozen water,” at this point, it’s no surprise.  Confidence continues at an all-time high on “Still Ballin” featuring Wiz Khalifa.  Compared to “Icy,” the record could be considered to be an improvement, with Bobby providing yet another ‘D’ reference (“If she lookin’ bad then you know I’ma dick it / I whip it out, then let her lick it”). Ultimately though, there’s just little substance once more, despite knocking production.

“Cocaine”

If nothing else, give Logic credit for mad energy and intensity on the hard-hitting banger, “Cocaine.”  Beyond the references to bricks and the drug itself, he references the plight of the black man on the second verse (“They want to see a black man fall down, uh / … They want more blacks to sing the blues”). “Limitless” references the biggest hit of his career – “1-800 made my bank account look like a phone number” – which is worth noting. Beyond that, the script is the same, as he continues to be the poster of confidence and limitless possibilities.  He says it best himself: “You the man, you know you the man / Rollie on your hand.” 

✓ “Keanu Reeves”, named after the Matrix actor, features solid production work by 6ix and AG. Set in a minor key, the record is anchored by a respectable beat, with some colorful synths. As always, aggressiveness and confidence are through the ceiling. The reference to Reeves appears on the stellar hook (the crowning achievement), which first occurs at the top of the record. Logic keeps his rhymes colorful, referencing his clout, his race, and others’ perceptions of him. He has his lyrical moments, but like much of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, it no lyrical ‘tour de force.’

“Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different”

Entering homestretch, “Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different” brings an unexpected featured guest, Will Smith.  Smith actually raps the first verse, before Logic handles the second and third verses.  The results are a bit sketchy – I found “Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different” to be clunky and a misstep. ✓ “BOBBY,” featuring My Dad is a stronger record, even as Logic really has nothing to spit but cocky, hella egotistical rhymes.  Even so, the production helps to atone for the dumb lyrics, which includes yet another penis reference (“Who’s biracial only in his penis?”).  As for Logic’s dad’s most memorable line, well it also involves the same organ: “This is Logic’s dad, this is Bobby Smokey Hall / And he came out of my balls (Bobby).”  “Lost in Translation” concludes the album interestingly, with production switches, reflective rhymes, and another heaping dose of that ‘Bobby’ swagger.  It doesn’t change the game, but then again, what does on this album?

Final Thoughts 

All in all, while Confessions of a Dangerous Mind has its moments, it’s also disappointing.  While the Logic flows are intact with all their prodigiousness, the rhymes themselves are lacking.  Yes, Bobby has some clever, even funny moments, but the quality feels compromised at times.  Maybe the biggest rub with this project is that it feels rushed and unnecessary given how prolific Logic is.  Why not take the time and release a better-rounded product?  So far, 2019 has seen him release a terrible soundtrack to his New York Times bestselling debut novel, and an album that is more mediocre than it should have been.

✓ Gems: “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” “Homicide,” “clickbait,” “Mama / Show Love,” “Keanu Reeves” & “BOBBY”

Logic • Confessions of a Dangerous Mind • Def Jam • Release: 5.10.19

Photo Credit: Def Jam