Seeking no validation
Seeking no validation

Seeking no validation

If the common Namibian hip-hop fan on the street was asked who made some high-tide type waves in the music landscape this past year, I struggle to see how the name Phred Got1 would not make its way into that conversation.
Michael Kayunde
Phred Got1's mixtapes were so well put together that they made No Validation one of the highly anticipated debut albums of 2018.

No validation opens with Anything is Possible, which sees the rapper re-affirming the fact that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. “You can be a lawyer,” he raps.

The body of work has 12 tracks with features from Nashawn, Princelou Faragama and Swart Baster.

On track three Family Matters, more personal stories are being shared by Phred on a really soulful production. A pleasantly good fit for him, and the melodic instrumentals, has him dropping several jewels in terms of heartfelt and candid lines about his ever-changing life over the years. Family Matters is my personal favourite on the album.

On Rapping for Girls, he delves into his love life. This is the song that Phred recently chose as the next single off the album, and it's obvious to understand why he made this move. Rapping for Girls is a song that is somewhat different from the type of singles the rapper has previously promoted.

We are provided with a truly honest and mature perspective of what Phred Got1 perceives to be “real love”.

This is really Phred Got1 on his grown man steez right here, so if you're still in your 'I'm just trying to hit it and quit it' phase, then this might not necessarily resonate with your commitment issues.

Another song to look forward to is Boss Man, a phrase he affectionately describes himself as.

The rapper once again reveals the extent of the hip-hop influence on his music by echoing the philosophy he preached for a large part of his career - being a boss.

Hey, the dude obviously likes him some financial freedom and you can never be mad at that.

His feature with Blvc Boxx signee Princelou Faragama is solid. On this song the rappers deliver impressive verses touching on various subjects on the hip-hop business.

Another thing I can't be mad at is the production on this song, my goodness! Those ice cold synths all over the track really let you zone into it, and that live baseline cannot be ignored either. It is an episode for real.

The downfall to this body of work is that it lacks female representation.

There are certain hooks on the album that I believe would have sounded much better if a female vocalist did the chorus.

All in all, No Validation is a good debut album, not entirely perfect but I cannot wait to see how the project will age. Other single-worthy songs on the album include; Mah Baby, Celebrate and TIE.

Rating: 4/5



Michael Kayunde

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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