Ape’s Latest Album – A Mixed Bag with Glimpses of Potential
If I had to sum it up briefly, this isn’t a bad record—it just could have been stronger with a tighter tracklist. There’s a solid foundation here, but some missteps hold it back from reaching its full potential.
The album starts off strong, with some tight flows, well-crafted beats, and engaging lyricism. Right from the opening tracks, Ape shows that he has a knack for rhythm and delivery, and when everything comes together, it makes for some really enjoyable moments. His voice is smooth yet commanding, and he plays around with his delivery throughout the album, keeping things from getting stale.
Fans of early Kendrick Lamar will immediately pick up on the similarities—his vocal tone, cadence, and lyrical structure all bring to mind Kendrick’s early work. That’s not a bad thing; it shows that Ape has studied and honed his craft, and at his best, he delivers some truly engaging performances.
While the production quality is mostly solid, some beats either fall flat or are outright grating. The biggest offender? “Storyteller Muzik”—which, thanks to its high-pitched instrumental, was genuinely painful to listen to. It’s one of those tracks that makes you want to skip ahead rather than sit through the full experience.
Beyond that, the album suffers from bloat. If some of the weaker tracks were cut, the overall experience would feel much tighter and more refined. Right now, it feels like Ape is still in the process of figuring out what works best for him, and in that journey, not every experiment lands successfully.
The production is generally well-done, aside from the occasional issue with overpowering bass levels. It’s crisp, polished, and balanced enough to let Ape’s voice shine through, which is crucial for an album that leans heavily on lyricism and vocal delivery.
The features on the album aren’t bad either—they add to the overall experience rather than detract from it. There’s a good mix of voices here, keeping things diverse and engaging. None of the guests feel out of place, which shows that Ape knows how to choose the right collaborators to complement his style.
At the end of the day, Ape has potential. He’s got the voice, the flow, and the lyrical ability to go places, but he still needs to refine his beat selection and tighten his songwriting. If he continues perfecting his craft and focuses on quality over quantity, he could have something really special in the future.
This album isn’t a home run, but it’s far from a failure—there are flashes of greatness, and that’s what makes it exciting to think about what Ape might do next.
RATING: 6.5/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Too Deep
Korrupt
Big Dawg