Ab-Soul – DWTW Review [Rhyme Review]

Check out our album review of Ab-Soul’s Do What Thou Wilt below.

A week ago the TDE underdog Ab-Soul came through with his best project to date Do What Thou Wilt. Finding features from ScHoolboy Q, Mac Miller, SZA, and more, this heavily layered album brought all kinds of talent to the mic. Ab-Soul’s exceptional lyricism and word play is what separates him from other emcees. Uprising from underdog to his own spotlight, Ab-Soul makes his mark as a top TDE artist.

Laced with 16 tracks we start the LP off with one of the strongest tracks “RAW (backwards).” Heavily layered with lots of staccato beats, Soul rhymes with aggression, rapping about his overcoming and genius over other rappers. Throwing a jab at Jay Electronica was also unexpected, backing up his TDE teammate Kendrick Lamar in previous beef. On the hype side, the beat is comprised mostly of a fat bass line with light electric guitar and a few flow switches throughout.

Following further we come across the menacing Bas collab track “Braille.” Released as the first single off the album, it starts off the hype in a major way. The heavy hitting production carries Bas and Soulo’s voices high throughout the whole track.

“Huey Knew THEN” is a simple battle rap beat with flurry bars and low tempo. Catching a verse from Da$H, the two are boastful talking about their accomplishments and their finesses. The hook is dope with a simple piano melody in the background.

Lots of instrumental strumming and wordplay take place in “Threatening Nature,” and “Womanogamy.” The production is dark and eerie which, if you couldn’t tell, takes place throughout the whole LP. Revising Soulo’s Control System, “Threatening Nature” showcases the same gritty tone and lyricism throughout the song.

Soulo and BR3 connect on a fun track “Wifey vs. WiFi /// P.M.S.” bringing a catchy hook and a stellar verse from the youngster BR3. Finally, recruiting fellow TDE member ScHoolBoy Q, Soul and Groovy link up for the double track “Beat The Case /// Straight Crooked.” Filled with police sirens and a loud bass, this track sounds like something right out of GTA. Even though with a clean record, Soul brags about beating court cases and legal troubles with Q handling a verse revisiting the slave era.

The most impacting track Ab has put out has to be his #1 hit off DWTW “D.R.U.G.S.“. Sampling some Mac Miller in the beginning, Soulo reflects on his past drug use. You can almost hear the pain in his voice knowing this track means something to him. Posing as a love song to drugs, Ab’s emotions cloud the vocals.

The double track “Lonely Soul” feat. Punch /// “The Law” feat. SZA is also another emotion filled omen from Ab. He reflects on past experiences over a constant switching beat. Converting to “The Law,” the track turns strange. The “prelude” was oddly placed and hard to fully decipher. Unfortunately, SZA only makes a brief appearance at the end of the track for about 20 seconds.

Ending off the album strong we come across the soulful anthem “The Law” featuring Mac Miller & Rapsody. “The Law” definitely takes the award for best beat off the LP while “YMF,” follows not too far behind. The track is very different than Mac Miller’s “The Law,” as Soul dives into the world of women and raps an omen to love “the only law.” The track sounds something right off The Divine Feminine. Both tracks are filled with groove and sick ad-libs in the background.