HIP-HOP/RAP, Mixtapes, Music Reviews, New Artists
Darius the Barbarian ‘ESCAPADES’ Review
Jul
Darius the Barbarian personally calls himself a 6’6 beast in the East. At most, he’s lively and is changing the rap game with much ferocity and authenticity. At a lyrical standpoint, the artist has fun as he couples bantering rhymes with warnings against those who try testing him. Likewise, his message focuses on what life is like for guys like him, who have a different view of the world. Not to mention, Darius also showcases in songs that his derrière is indeed plump. But aside from all this, Darius separates himself from other emcees by proving that music can take on many forms. The tone doesn’t always have to be aggressive or misogynistic. Music can be merry yet straight-to-the-point, at least that’s what Darius shows us. The “NINTENDO” lyricist started making music in high school but took it full-on last year. He’s inspired by his brother, who passed away from Cystic Fibrosis last year. Darius considers him a true artist like no other.
As time progressed, he realized that making music was fulfilling and that he was just what the industry needed. His name, ultimately, stems from his height. “I was pretty hesitant on what I wanted my name to be,” he said. “Once I realized my height was a part of my character, I realized Barbarian was my perfect match.”
His newest 5-track project, ESCAPADES, presents the world with high confidence, assertiveness, charisma, and divine power. In his words, this piece is all about DTB, his personality, creativity, his big ol’ booty, and a look inside his life with men and women. “I worked with so many people who believed in my vision and helped me along the way,” Darius says about ESCAPADES’ process. “I wrote so many songs and just selected a few that correlated together. It’s more of a hectic process than people think.” Flipping through the tracks, you’ll come to know that Darius has a low tolerance for phonies and those who flap their gums. Even though negative remarks subconsciously make one feel defeated and in the dumps, ESCAPADES goes to prove that one must stand their ground and take those stone-cold words as ammunition. The album also gives listeners a space to be bold. After the album’s done, you’ll love the skin you’re in a bit more than before. Sonically, ESCAPADES carries a high-energy and is full of sporadically pleasing arrangements. Darius meshes these swift elements with bouncy, mile-a-minute cadences.
Standout tracks include “INTERROGATION” and “NINTENDO,” but feel free to stream the other three tracks. One of his favorite punchlines off ESCAPADES goes, “I ain’t never met a bitch this bad, ass so big like two airbags, real ass bitch that’ll take yo dad, stressin’ ’bout dick silly have you sad.” Darius’s advice to others who are looking to create their first album is to stay true to themselves and work hard. “It’s the beginning to people understanding who you truly are as an artist. It’ll all work out,” he adds.
“ESCAPADES INTRO” starts at the press of a church organ key and blood-curdling shriek. Afterward, an anonymous figure begins speaking down on Darius the Barbarian’s name, but fortunately, his gift of gab is enough to put anyone’s side comment to rest. Throughout the song, Darius pairs a tongue-twisting cadence with words that’ll make them choose theirs more wisely. Elsewhere, Darius’ bars follows a phrase that was once said by Nicki Minaj, “All these bitches is my son.” Sonically, “ESCAPADES INTRO” uses a swift booming bassline, cowbell loop, and other electronica-like elements.
Once a tape gets inserted into a cassette player, “INTERROGATION” roams free, letting the beat take on a bass-heavy trap feel. Likewise, “INTERROGATION” is led by a dark piano number. Some might even add that Darius’ tonality is akin to the likes of BbyMutha. Between lyrics, Darius speaks about discovering his lover cheating via text before listing off his pros, one being his physical characteristics. Regardless of Darius’ love interest’s betrayal, the musician remains unfazed. No matter what, he’ll always have a cutie wrapped around his finger. “When that dude pop clear out the blue, thought a nigga finna play who?” he raps. “INTERROGATION” would fit as his theme song (if he had to choose.)
The third track, “NINTENDO,” starts with a robotic-like voice then follows with a heavy bass and other video game recordings. On the song, Darius crossovers between a bouncy and cut-throat flow to carry his clap-back toward a smack-talker. “Stressin’ bout dick, silly hoe you sad/Envious (yeah) stand 6 foot 6, I am Donkey King/So my body hits,” he raps. “Hoes wanna play this game with a ball hit sidekick.” As the song continues, Darius says with much confidence that no one can do it better! He also warns others who’re thinking of stepping up to him. “NINTENDO” is also a song that Darius had fun making. “The concept is I’m in a video game cussing bitches out left and right,” he adds.
Shortly after, “EDGAR ALLEN HOE” sees Darius showing off his goodies, both lyrically and literally. This time around, Darius uses humorously clever rhymes to speak about his snatched frame and his charming ways with senors. Ultimately, the track is led by tongue clicks, warm guitar arpeggios, and maracas. In Darius’s words, “Edgar Allen Hoe will have your car bump all over the highway.”
Then, “TWEAKIN” closes off the album with a rattling bassline and laser recording. On the song, Darius assumes that smack-talkers must be delusional because anyone who knows him, knows that they shouldn’t try it. Elsewhere, he holds nothing back, letting it be known that they’ll regret double-crossing him. By the end of it all, Darius will have one think twice about what they say.
Listen to ESCAPADES by Darius The Barbarian below: