Dom mostly raps in the kind of slow, lazy flow you hear in off-the-top freestyles. It’s no surprise that the best songs are the ones with the can’t-go-wrong guests, namely Freddie Gibbs and Kendrick Lamar. Instead, you’ll find Dom’s style – summery, saliently ignorant brag rap – which largely falls short of serviceable, but actually works well a couple of times. You’re not going to find a verse on Dom Kennedy’s Yellow Album that you can wave at your English teacher as a validation of rap as a scholarly pursuit. French Montana’s ear for melody, Waka’s energy, and Jeezy’s Trapability® are all counterweights to the argument that a rapper, or to use a more lofty title, an MC, is one whose motherfucking brain is IBM compatible. As long as he doesn’t get boring with it, he will win.We make all manner of excuses, some more valid than others, for rappers without technical skill. Dom Kennedy is going to rest in his lane and makes what he makes. If you were looking for a façade of “progression”, then you can skip this project. If you are looking for more Dom Kennedy over different beats, then this is for you. Where does that put his album? That depends on your expectations. The Yellow Album is more of the same over different production.
Love or hate it, he is going to talk about the usual West Side influenced subjects. With an evolved sound, Dom hasn’t really shifted his mentality much. Still, he comes with the album ending “P+H”,a song that focuses on happiness and peaceful living. What you will get here is chill party jams (“My Type of Party”),riding clean through the streets (the Rick Ross assisted “Gold Alpinas”),and relaxation (“Hangin” with Freddie Gibbs). Regardless, though, this album is typical Dominic Hunn subject matter. Seemingly, the different producers gave Dom’s music a different feel.
The Futuristiks aren’t really featured on this project. THC has a bigger hand in production duties with songs like the atmospheric “So Elastic”and the playeristic Too Short featured “Don’t Call Me”.Producers like DrewByrd and DJ Dahi are also featured more. The reason for the departure in sound is due to the production squad behind the songs.
But, it is a departure from the more “warm West Coast sounds” of FTWSWL II. The answer: it depends on what you think of the production. With the same type of lyrical approach and different production from his last project, the question remains: is the music still good? With the Yellow Album, Dom is at a place to either expand his sound or keep making the same thing. This has even evolved into extensive touring. People have found ways to attach themselves to projects like FTWSWL (From the West S ide With Love) I and II and The Original Dom Kennedy. The popularity of his music is a reflection of his approach. Looking further, Dom Kennedy rhymes for tangibility to his music. Dom doesn’t rhyme for the accolades and awards. His flow is basic to enunciate his ideas. His lyrics are simple, yet not totally dumbed down. Usually with carefree lyrics, many either love his stuff or avoid it. Dom Kennedy is one of those artists that makes the music he wants to make.