Ab-Soul is bringing in the New Year by leaving behind all humility and letting the world know just how great he believes his latest project is.
After clearing up any misspellings about his name, the Top Dawg Entertainment rapper took to Twitter on Friday (December 30) to express his thoughts about his latest album Herbert which he considers to be one of the best LPs of the year.
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“For the last time…. My name is Ab-Soul. Not Ab Soul/AbSoul/Absol/etc. Thanks,” he wrote in his first tweet.
“ALSO. My album IS top 5 of da year. Fucc all dat humble sh*t. Dead homies,” he added in a follow-up message.
Released on December 16, 2022, which is also his birthday, Herbert is Ab-Soul’s fifth studio album and his first full-length release since 2016’s Do What Thou Wilt.
The LP features guest appearances from Big Sean, Russ, Joey Bada$$, Jhené Aiko, SiR, Punch, Zacari, Fre$h, Ambré, ALEMEDA, and Lance Skiiiwalker. Throughout the album, Ab-Soul chronicles how he’s overcome grief, depression, and tragedy.
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Also on the project, the Carson, California native worked with DJ Premier, a collaboration that was a long time in the making, and produced a memorable session in the studio.
In an interview with Vulture, he shared that he re-recorded his verses on “Gotta Rap” at least “five or six times” to create a track that was worthy of the legendary producer’s approval.
“I knew I needed him this time around. He definitely put me to work. I had to do it about five or six times until he found the right frequency,” Ab-Soul recalled.
“No, not re-writing. He liked the verse, but I had to match the frequency of the record because I guess that was one of his favorite beats,” he added. “So he wanted to make sure I came correct. That was the first time anybody ever made me re-record. So that was humbling. But it’s Preemo.”
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Ab-Soul described the collaboration as a “dream come true” and said he first met Preemo while the iconic beatmaker was working with Royce Da 5’9″ on a PRhyme record at Mac Miller’s house. Getting the endorsement from Premier meant the world to the “Illuminate” rapper.
“Gotta Rap’ was a dream come true. Before I even had my official stage name, when I was just Snap G, I knew I always wanted a Preemo beat,” he added. “Preemo keeps his ear to the streets. I can honestly say I do get the respect of being the last of the lyricists, that cloth. I’ve met him in passing before, but we connected when he did PRhyme.”
