Nettspend: early life crisis

"early life crisis, which finally dropped last week, feels nostalgic for the present, trying to make something work with a blend of late-stage rage production, Cartispeak, and faux pain rap that never quite becomes his own. The album foregrounds Nett's ear as a selector and his charisma as a bad influence, giving producers like CXO and Rok room to stretch out their wildest ideas."

"But when Nett abandons the disaffected rapscallion bag he controlled on his 2024 mixtape BAD ASS F*CKING KID, the project faceplants into overfamiliar rehashes of Rolling Loud headliners past: too much 'I Miss the Rage,' not enough smiling because it happened. It's as if he's outgrown his own references, but can't fathom what to try next."

Nettspend, an 18-year-old Richmond-based rapper, faces the challenge of defining his artistic identity after four years in cloud rap's shadow. His debut album early life crisis, arriving after multiple delays and false starts, showcases his ear for production selection and charisma while featuring producers like CXO and Rok. However, the project falters when Nettspend abandons the disaffected style that defined his 2024 mixtape BAD ASS F*CKING KID, instead retreading familiar territory reminiscent of Rolling Loud headliners. The album suggests Nettspend has outgrown his references but remains uncertain about his artistic direction, raising questions about whether he's ready to evolve beyond rage rap conventions.

Read at Pitchfork