Ty Dolla Sign drops another single, “Stealing,” ahead of his sophomore album, ‘Campaign’, due September 23. 

“Oh if breaking hearts was a crime / I’d do double time…” Ty Dolla Sign has been a “hot commodity” in urban music circles to say the least.  Unsurprisingly, the rapper/singer seeks to capitalize upon his success by dropping his sophomore album Campaign less than a year after releasing his debut (Free TC).  After issuing several singles (“Zaddy,” and “3 Wayz” among them), he issues another, “Stealing,” ahead of the LP.

https://youtu.be/uMdNoh04Cos

 “Stealing” opens with gritty, somewhat crude vocals (“yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…”). The coarseness of Ty’s vocals continues on, something we’re accustomed to this at this point. Ty isn’t stealing material things, but rather “hearts.”  On verses one and two, he addresses his parents about his criminal behavior.  “Momma please don’t judge me cause I’m a criminal” and

“Daddy please believe me, cause you know I be a criminal.”

On the pre-chorus, Ty uses a slightly wider vocabulary, but it doesn’t lead anywhere ultimately:

“No, it’s not subliminal / no, and it’s not terminal / oh, oh, oh, oh it’s emotional / stealing all these b*tches’ hearts.”

The chorus, hence, aims low:

“Yeah, I’m stealing all these b*tches’ hearts / oh I’m stealing all these b*tches’ heart.” 

The expansion of the production is one of the bright spots on this rather simplistic number.

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, “Stealing” ends up being cliché.  How many times has being a heartbreaker been the central theme of a song? Ty Dolla $ign doesn’t bring much new to the table that we haven’t already heard.  The best part of “Stealing” is the grandiose production work and more assertive vocals towards the end.  Otherwise, it leaves the listener desiring more.  It’s not bad, but it’s not necessarily great either.

Ty Dolla $ign • Campaign • Atlantic • Release: 9.23.16 

Photo Credit: Atlantic