| Do What Thou Wilt. | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 9, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 76:57 | |||
| Label | TDE | |||
| Producer |
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| Ab-Soul chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Do What Thou Wilt. | ||||
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Do What Thou Wilt. is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on December 9, 2016, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The record serves as the follow-up to his previous studio effort, These Days... (2014). The album was supported by two singles: "Huey Knew" and "Braille".
In 2007, Ab-Soul signed a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment. [1] In 2014, after the release of his third album, These Days... through the TDE label, Ab-Soul embarked on a national concert tour. [2] Upon returning from the tour, Ab-Soul began recording new material as early as February 2015. [3] On July 14, 2015, Ab-Soul gave more updates on the album: "My album's almost done..." he wrote on Twitter, adding, "It's a love story". He completed the post with the hashtag "DWTW", presumably the acronym to his album title, to which he kept alluding. [4] On June 8, 2016, Ab-Soul revealed that he had finished the new album and then turned it in for audio mixing. [5] [6]
In December 2016, in an interview with HotNewHipHop, Ab-Soul spoke on the album's cover artwork, revealing why he's not featured with his trademark sunglasses: "With the light sensitivity, I knew it would be difficult, but I was up to the challenge. I knew that it was something that the people wanted to see from me. I like to bare it all. I'm very honest. I think this album kinda called for that type of sincerity." [7] He said the photographer wanted to "capture his angst" but "I'm a happy guy," he said, smiling. [7] "But the tone of the album, you can get that from it. I think that that cover is a proper depiction of... the tone of the album. It's the grey area." [7]
In a December 2016 interview, with Hypebeast, Ab-Soul shared the title comes from a quote from English occultist Aleister Crowley:
Yeah, that is a famous quote from Mr. Crowley. To me, it translates to free will. Not necessarily 'do what you wanna do'—'cause that's kinda chaotic—but do what you will to do. Will being stronger than a want. Something that's supported by love and passion. That's what that quote means to me, and you know I'm a man of quotes. That's just one of those that resonated with me the most. [8]
On December 5, 2016, Ab-Soul announced on his Twitter feed that DWTW was scheduled to be released on December 9, 2016. The announcement of the release date coincided with the release of the song "Threatening Nature", on TDE's SoundCloud page. [9] On December 6, Ab-Soul unveiled the album's cover art and track-listing. [10] [11] On December 7, 2016, Ab-Soul released the music video, directed by PANAMÆRA, for a song titled "D.R.U.G.S." [12] On December 13, 2016, Ab-Soul released another music video, this one directed by APLUS Filmz, for the album's intro, "RAW (backwards)". [13]
"Huey Knew" was released on September 30, 2016, as the album's lead single. [14] It features production by TDE's in-house producer Willie B, as well as a guest appearance from New Jersey–based rapper Dash. The music video for "Huey Knew", was released on October 14, 2016. [15] "Huey Knew" is listed as "Huey Knew THEN" on the album's track-listing. Ab-Soul released the album's second single, titled "Braille", on October 28, 2016. The song features a guest appearance from New York City–based rapper Bas, while the production was handled by WondaGurl. [16] [17] On November 22, 2016, the music video for "Braille", which was directed by PANAMÆRA, was released. [18]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 64/100 [19] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Exclaim! | 6/10 [20] |
| HipHopDX | 4.2/5 [21] |
| HotNewHipHop | 78% [22] |
| Pitchfork | 4.4/10 [23] |
| PopMatters | 6/10 [24] |
| RapReviews | 6.5/10 [25] |
| Vice | A− [26] |
| XXL | 4/5 [27] |
Do What Thou Wilt. was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 64, based on six reviews. [19]
Ural Garrett of HipHopDX said, "Ab-Soul expounds on his cranial compound Do What Thou Wilt and fully revealed himself as an artist who plays mind games with himself and listeners. Although figuring Soulo lyrical intent continues to be a guessing game, at least there are some critical takeaways that linger far after indulging in the music." [21] Michael G. Barilleaux of RapReviews said, "For those who like a swell show of technical strength, a spin of this album will occupy your listen to and from the workplace quite well. For those seeking something more meaningful to go along with their skill showcase, however, don't feel bad about taking a pass on this one." [25] In Vice , Robert Christgau said Ab-Soul's music "emanates intellectual excitement and pleasure as he grows up", highlighting the rapper's "feminist-curious yearnings" while remaining ambivalent toward his "tree-huffing doggishness". Christgau deemed the record, "as listening, more fun than his fellow Black Hippy's outtakes for sure. As wordplay too. As thinking, leaves room for improvement and reason to hope there'll be some." [26]
Scott Glaysher of XXL said, "The kind of God level rapping that Ab-Soul showcases on Do What Thou Wilt means this album will exist predominantly in the headphones of those shrewd enough to understand." [27] Calum Slingerland of Exclaim! said, "Ab-Soul is more successful when he mines his own sorrow." [20] Dan Kok of PopMatters said, "It's an album that embodies the idea of potential that isn't fully realized." [24] Pitchfork journalist Sheldon Pearce was less receptive, regarding the songs as overly abstract, meaningless riddles. He believed Ab-Soul had become "so information-obsessed that he loses sight of actual meaning", while panning what he said were Aleister Crowley-inspired occult references. [23]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "RAW (backwards)" (featuring Zacari) | Juice of All Trades | 4:45 | |
| 2. | "Braille" (featuring Bas) |
| WondaGurl | 4:12 |
| 3. | "Huey Knew THEN" (featuring Dash) | Willie B | 4:30 | |
| 4. | "Threatening Nature" | Stevens | Pakk Music Group | 3:24 |
| 5. | "Womanogamy" |
|
| 3:56 |
| 6. | "INvocation" (featuring Kokane) | Rahki | 5:07 | |
| 7. | "Wifey Vs. WiFi" / / / "P.M.S." (featuring BR3) |
| Skhye Hutch | 4:21 |
| 8. | "Beat the Case" / / / "Straight Crooked" (featuring Schoolboy Q) |
|
| 5:21 |
| 9. | "Portishead in the Morning" / / / "HER World" |
|
| 4:27 |
| 10. | "God's a Girl?" | Stevens | Pakk Music Group | 3:14 |
| 11. | "Now You Know" | Stevens | ASAP P on the Boards | 4:03 |
| 12. | "D.R.U.G.S." |
| FrancisGotHeat | 5:56 |
| 13. | "Evil Genius" (featuring Teedra Moses and JaVonté) |
|
| 5:48 |
| 14. | "Lonely Soul" / / / "The Law (Prelude)" (featuring Punch and SZA) | Sounwave | 6:34 | |
| 15. | "The Law" (featuring Mac Miller and Rapsody) | Bentley Haze | 5:29 | |
| 16. | "YMF" | Stevens | Bentley Haze | 5:50 |
| Total length: | 76:57 | |||
Notes
Sample credits
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ) [28] | 8 |
| US Billboard 200 [29] | 34 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [30] | 9 |
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr., better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. Rock signed with local independent label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005. He secured a major label joint venture deal with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records to release his 2008 debut single, "All My Life ". Failing to chart, the mergers fell through and Rock departed from both of the latter labels shortly after. He then signed with Missouri rapper Tech N9ne's label Strange Music in a joint venture deal with TDE in 2011.
Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American rapper from South Los Angeles, California. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ScHoolboy Turned Hustla (2008) and Gangsta & Soul (2009) to local success. After signing with the Carson-based record label Top Dawg Entertainment, Hanley's debut studio album, Setbacks (2011) and its follow-up, Habits & Contradictions (2012) were both released to positive critical response; both also performed moderately on the US Billboard 200 chart as digital exclusives.
Section.80 is the debut studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on July 2, 2011, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). In the years leading up to its release, Lamar produced various mixtapes under the moniker K.Dot. In 2010, Lamar released Overly Dedicated, his fourth solo mixtape. Shortly after its release, he began working on Section.80.
Black Hippy was an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group consisted of West Coast rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. Black Hippy was constructed after all of its members had signed to Carson-based indie record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he eventually formed West Coast hip hop group Black Hippy, alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. He is perhaps most known for his introspective lyrics and his five independent albums under TDE, Longterm Mentality, Control System, These Days..., Do What Thou Wilt., and Herbert, which were all released to positive reviews and commercial success.
The discography of Ab-Soul, an American hip hop recording artist, consists of five studio albums, two mixtapes, seventeen singles and 30 music videos. Ab-Soul's first full-length project was a mixtape titled Longterm. The mixtape was released in 2009, as a free download via mixtape-sharing websites.
Digi+Phonics is an African American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.
David Isaac Friley, known professionally as Dave Free, is an American filmmaker and record producer. Born and raised in Inglewood, California, he is best known for his creative partnership with rapper Kendrick Lamar. During his tenure as co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Free directed music videos and short films with Lamar under the name the Little Homies. Following his departure from TDE in 2019, he co-founded the creative company PGLang with Lamar. Among Free's accolades are one Grammy Award and three MTV Video Music Awards.
William Thomas Trenell Brown, known professionally as Willie B or by the stage name the Ichiban Don, is an American hip hop record producer and recording artist from Los Angeles, California. He is an original member of West Coast hip hop production team Digi+Phonics of Top Dawg Entertainment. He is also a member of the hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Punch and Daylyt, among others.
Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain is an American rapper. His mainstream breakthrough followed after his performances on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour alongside rappers Juicy J, Joey Badass and Smoke DZA. He is a founding member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based hip hop collective The House, which he formed with rappers YGTUT, Michael Da Vinci (MikeyD), Chris P, and Brian Brown.
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These Days... is the third studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on June 24, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The record serves as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed Control System (2012). The album features guest appearances from Black Hippy affiliates Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock; as well as Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson and Mac Miller, whose in-house studio is where Ab-Soul recorded the majority of the record, among others.
Derrick Hutchins, Jr., better known as his stage name Skhye Hutch, is an American hip hop record producer from Los Angeles, California. The two-time Grammy nominee attended Pacific Palisades High School and graduated from the Musicians Institution in 2004.
"That Part" is a hip hop song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West. It was released on May 13, 2016 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records, as the lead single from Schoolboy Q's fourth album Blank Face LP, and was produced by Cardo, Yung Exclusive, Cubeatz and Sounwave. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. HipHopDX named it the ninth best hip-hop song of 2016.
Russell James Vitale, known mononymously as Russ, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. After eleven self-released albums, Vitale signed with Columbia Records to release his twelfth studio album and major label debut, There's Really a Wolf (2017). Met with critical and commercial success, the album received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entries—"What They Want" and "Losin Control." His thirteenth and fourteenth albums, Zoo (2018) and Shake the Snow Globe (2020), both peaked at number four on the Billboard 200; the latter spawned his highest-charting single, "Best on Earth". Outside of his solo career, he is a member of the Atlanta-based hip hop collective Diemon.
Terrence Louis Henderson Jr., better known by his stage name Punch, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive and talent manager from Carson, California. He is best known for being the president of independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He has also executive produced several successful albums, including Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 (2011), Schoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions (2012), Terrace Martin's 3ChordFold, (2013) and more. Aside from his solo musical career, Punch is a member of hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Daylyt, Nick Grant, The Ichiban Don, Lyric Michelle, Hari, and more.
Zacari Moses Pacaldo I, known mononymously as Zacari, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is best known for his guest appearance on American rapper and Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate Kendrick Lamar's 2017 single "Love", which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut extended play (EP), Run Wild Run Free, was released by the label on March 15, 2019.
Robert Lee Gill Jr., better known by his stage name Reason, is an American rapper and songwriter. He was formerly signed to hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment, where he started to gain recognition. His TDE debut, There You Have It, was released on September 28, 2018, a re-release of an album from 2017. His major label debut album New Beginnings was released on October 9, 2020.
Herbert is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on December 16, 2022, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). It features guest appearances by Ambré, Alemeda, Big Sean, Fre$h, Jhené Aiko, Joey Badass, Lance Skiiiwalker, Punch, Russ, SiR and Zacari. It includes notable productions by Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, Jahaan Sweet, James Blake and Sounwave, among others. Titled after Ab-Soul's birth name, Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, the album marks his return to music after a six-year absence following Do What Thou Wilt. in December 2016.
