Album Review: ILoveMakonnen - I LOVE MAKONNEN 2
By Carly Preston, Contributor
[OVO Sound; 2015]
Rating: 3.5/5
Key Tracks: “Forever,” “Where Your Girl At,” “Second Chance”
After the success of his first self-titled EP in late 2014, Makonnen Sheran (aka ILoveMakonnen) has returned to the studio for his sophomore effort. Despite this only being his second EP and with zero full lengths, Sheran is no newcomer to the hip-hop scene. Since 2011, he has released 14 mixtapes and worked with artists like Drake, Soulja Boy, Key!, and Sonny Digital. Due to all this success, the pressure was definitely high for I LOVE MAKONNEN 2.
I LOVE MAKONNEN 2 features seven tracks highlighting the Atlanta hip-hop and electronic sound we have all come to recognize as distinctly ILoveMakonnen’s. The EP has hip-hop heavy hitters both featured and with production credits, from Santigold to DJ Mustard. The album delivers a light, fun style that a lot of other more “serious” hip-hop musicians are not exploring right now. However, lyrically and vocally the album is not strong whatsoever. This seems to be the criticism Sheran receives the most, but hip-hop fans need to face the fact ILoveMakonnen will never release a To Pimp A Butterfly-esque album. His music is specifically for hanging out with friends and drinking Lime-aritas—simply put, “turn-up” music.
The album starts with “Forever;” a track featuring rappers Santigold and 1st. This is one of the EPs stronger tracks by far, since it is structurally simple and lyrically excels more so than the rest of the album. “Second Chance” represents the most fun moment on the EP, though. Produced by DJ Mustard, this track is funky and oddly jazz influenced. The light piano that can be heard throughout the chorus adds another creative element to an already good track.
“Trust Me Danny” and “Flippin All Night” are the weakest tracks on I LOVE MAKONNEN 2.
These songs feature boring production and ruin the chill, “hang-out” vibes the rest of the album carries. They simply serve as less-entertaining breaks between the EPs brighter moments. The best track, “Where Your Girl At”, however, shows off all the styles ILOVEMAKONNEN is known for and does it in a cohesive way, and is the track college students will be blaring on a Friday night. It is loud, aggressive, and clever, and is earthly impossible not to dance to a song of this caliber.
Overall, I LOVE MAKONNEN 2 delivers just as much as Sheran’s first EP. It is a solid sophomore effort, and highlights all the fun “hot-lanta” goodness Sheran is capable of producing. If these past two EPs are anything like the album the hip-hop world is waiting on--it is sure to be a special record.
