In some regards, DJ Khaled is a
genius. He’s managed to make millions as a musical superstar without ever
making any of his own music. He doesn’t rap. He doesn’t sing. He doesn’t make
beats. He simply gets a bunch of artists together to make a song for him, slaps
his name on it and occasionally yells ‘we the best!’ or ‘another one!’
or ‘DJ Khaled!’ over the top.
His records are basically just
compilation albums comprising of other people’s material. You could argue that
his skill is musical matchmaking – he knows how to pull the right people
together in order to get the best out of them and produce memorable hits.
Except that isn’t the case with Father
of Asahd at all. There are no hits to be found on this record other than ‘No
Brainer’. The majority of the tracks are forgettable pop-rap b-sides that see
artists thrown together without rhyme or reason, accompanied by the worst
choice of beats.
Opening track ‘Holy Mountain’ is a
complete mess with far too much going on – there are about five different
vocalists randomly layered over a trap-reggae beat that keeps starting and
stopping. ‘Just Us’ ruins a classic OutKast beat with a surprisingly
flavourless performance from SZA. ‘Top Off’ features Jay-Z and Beyonce as a
logical pair, but then has Future third-wheeling in the background yelling
about the roof on his Maybach.
Undoubtedly, it’s a star-studded
album, but none of these stars actually sound like they tried. DJ Khaled
clearly didn’t try to provide any direction either. So overall, it’s an album
in which no-one tried.
Which is why I must repeat myself –
DJ Khaled is a genius. He’s managed to create an album that has reached number
2 in the charts without lifting a finger. And yet he’s still salty that Tyler, the Creator beat him to number 1? He should be proud of the hot steaming number
2 he’s created. Number 2 is respectable - especially when up against an artist who sings, raps and produces his own music (you know, like an actual musician).
★☆☆☆☆