Isaiah Rashad’s “The House is Burning” – Album Review

Isaiah Rashad “Came out bustin’,” as stated in his song From The Garden, featuring Lil Uzi Vert. Rashad returns with his new studio album The House Is Burning,  which focuses on paying homage to his southern roots, complete with an uncharacteristic R&B feel. The record still feels like a Rashad project, however, if only because of his reputation.  Throughout the album, Rashad seems to be burning away his old self and stepping into who he truly is as a man, but more importantly, as an artist. Rashad takes on a much more aggressive approach to his music than in previous years, cultivating his sound and identity as an artist, which makes up part of his new style and poise. The House Is Burning seems to be an analogy, representing Isaiah shedding all of the expectations and pressure he put upon himself, and finally accepting who and what he is as an artist. When Rashad first signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, his record label, he felt as though he had to follow in the footsteps of his fellow labelmate Kendrick Lamar, and that truly hindered him early on. By 2014, when Isaiah dropped his first album, “Cilvia Demo,” Kendrick had garnered waves of attention and praise for his 2012 debut, “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” Rashad questioned everything trying to reach the likes and standards of Kendrick – therefore, The House Is Burning represents “burning” away that notion. The album opens up with the song “Darkseid,” where Rashad starts with an immediately fast and chill flow, setting the tone for the foundation of the album. Popular songs that truly stand out on the album include: “Lay Wit Ya” (feat. Duke Deuce), “Wat U Sed” (feat. Iamdoeschii & Kal Banx), and “True Story” (feat. Jay Rock & Jay Worthy).