Last Updated on 12/12/2020
Discover the best songs in Vince Staples’ stellar discography, while we wait for new tracks/singles from his new series The Vince Staples Show.
Vince Staples has had a lowkey few years, releasing only one project since 2017, the 22 minute FM!, and a handful of tracks that correspond to episodes of his new (Parodical? Who knows) video series The Vince Staples Show. Even prior to this, Vince was probably known in music almost as much for his dry humour that has made for some of the most amusing hip-hop interviews in memory and his twitter antics as he was for his hip-hop. It would be criminal though if his talent and already stacked back-catalogue were to be forgotten in this relative lull.
He is undoubtedly one of the most talented hip-hop artists of the new school. Impressive on the mic, he exhibits solid technical skill and a distinctively diverting cadence that, paired with his overflowing charisma, has led to some real bangers. But for me, the real distinction in his work lies in its creativity and vision, bringing together experimental and unconventional beats with topically piquant content. He can be charismatic and amusing, but he can equally be very serious and truly move with his song writing. Aesthetically pleasing production choices (facilitated by the wealth of talented producers he can call on) consistently produce intense atmospheres, complementing his vision perfectly.
Altogether, this has led to a pretty versatile discography that includes two of the best conceptual hip-hop LPs of the last decade in Summertime 06 and Big Fish Theory, as well as an assortment of strong EPs and mixtapes such as Hell Can Wait, Prima Donna and Stolen Youth – the latter being a collaborative effort with Mac Miller. Before you dive into all this though, have a taste test and listen to the top 5 tracks from across his discography.
5. Loco, Prima Donna.
This track is a great example of the conceptual strength of Vince’s song-writing. Acting as a narrative turning point in the character arc sketched across Prima Donna, the circumstances of fame cause the persona Vince is portraying to finally snap on this song. The portrait of a frenetic existence detached from the real world and mired in suicidal thoughts is rendered vividly, in the first verse, Vince details using a woman for sex without really being present beyond the walls of his own suffocating, mutinous mind.
“I load the 44/ Then paint the Van Gogh/ She rang the front door/ She came commando/ She came and rambled/ I came and rolled over”
The production accentuates the message, exuding stressful tension via a half-clipped siren sound repeated throughout, hinting at the near emergency status of the character’s mental state. It’s a fantastic showpiece for his creative vision in a banger of a track that also features some appropriately menacing vocal contributions from Kilo Kish.
4. 745, Big Fish Theory.
Potentially Vince’s best vibey song/cut, this track was made for a cruise along street lit roads. Melding G-Funk and Detroit Techno results in a heavenly rich baseline shrouded in electronic frost – a perfect backdrop for Vince’s introspective lyrics.
“Eyes can’t hide your hate for me/ Maybe you was made for the Maybelline/ Spent so much tryna park the car/ Barely got a tip for the maître d’”
Discussing his bad luck with girls who are with him for the wrong reasons, his regrets diffuse through the instrumental. Yet with one of the catchiest hook-baseline pairings in hip-hop, it can also make for a fun and soothing listen – a brilliant cut.
3. Hands Up, Hell Can Wait.
An absolute head-bumper of a song that is often overshadowed by its (also excellent) big brother “Blue Suede” – but, this is the more potent track in our view. Serving as a smart summary of some of the issues surrounding police racial profiling and violence, it is as relevant as ever.
“I guess the pigs split wigs for the greater good/ Cause I ain’t seen them lock a swine up yet”
Moreover, the way Vince surfs No I.D.’s beat switch after the first chorus drips so much charisma and menace that it borders on chill inducing. This track is both an ideal example of Vince’s ability to create cohesive social commentary and a lesson in magnetic performance on the mic.
2. Norf Norf, Summertime 06.
The Quintessential Vince Staples Song. If you are going to listen to one track, or have heard only one already, it would probably be this one.
Over the gloomy and off kilter instrumentation that characterises much of Summertime 06, Vince animates life into his construction of a slate grey, rainy hood. Dense with references to hood politics, gang warfare and his preferred soft beverages, this track is lush with reality and rich with its author’s personality. This is also a brilliant exposition of Vince’s unique ability to navigate a pretty sparse beat entertainingly, creating catchy rhythmic word-work, flecked lightly with melody – making a generally essential hip-hop track, with an undeniably iconic opening line.
1.Party People, Big Fish Theory.
The conceptual heart of Big Fish Theory, it summons the image of a packed club: smoke is saturating the air, bodies are pushed close together, and Vince is dancing to the rattling club beat. He wants to enjoy it, but he can’t empty his mind which is whirring with empty desperation as he slowly drowns in his lifestyle. The tinny chorus, while catchy, is hollow. It feels like Vince crying for help through the noisy veil of all the fun he’s supposed to be having – it’s kind of dark.
“Couple problems my cash can’t help/ Human issues, too strong for tissues/ False bravado all masked by wealth”
But at the same time it’s irresistibly danceable, with a tight flow jerking and popping smoothly across its surface, creating some seriously hooky earworms. And for me this sums up everything that’s great about a Vince track: strong messaging, catchy arresting flows, and a sweet beat – give it a listen.
For an extended list of Vince’s best tracks/songs (with a particular honourable mention to his breakout song “Nate” which doesn’t appear on Spotify – find it here on SoundCloud), have a browse of our playlist below.
