by Jayden Lawrence
On February 21, Nardo Wick dropped Wick, his latest project. This album was delayed only by a few months, although we know this will not reach the same success as his debut album. It’s hard for trap artists to create hit albums continually, usually, only singles will go viral. However, Wick had assistance in 2021 when many of his tracks went viral on TikTok.
This is one of the rare times a talented artist has blown up through TikTok and continued past the hype. I believe Wick can level with Ski Mask the Slump God in production and trap style if he can maintain this style throughout the 2020s. Still, he’s in a losing battle within his genre. Many hip-hop critics are severe and don’t like change, while the entire genre of trap music is meant to be disruptive. It’s going to be difficult for him to expand past the “reel music” and viral lines of his work.
Before the drop, on February 7, Wick released the EP Hold Off, which featured Kodak Black, to keep fans ready for what they’d receive by the end of the month. His new album, conveniently titled Wick, tells a story different than its predecessor. The album stays true to its trap roots, with samples from media I didn’t expect from the 23-year-old Florida native. The samples include Lost Boy by Ruth B and references to being the Heart-Break Kid.
Wick is creative and experimental. The album deals with reputation and what he’s going to do to others. Although there’s that element of pack mentality, this works as a motivational and healing album. In the latter half, he raps gracefully after recognizing his flaws in a relationship. Also, when acknowledging his financials, he addresses his motivations to rap and hustle.
As many say, you should listen to this album all at once. It’s around 45 minutes, and it’s rewarding when you come across songs like “Drew” after getting into the mind of Wick early on. Yes, this is reflective of Eminem’s “Stan,” but the utilization of classics, multitude of features and the based producers add life to every track. There aren’t any skips on the album, and you’ll find yourself reflecting on something personal. Trap isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking to get into the genre, Wick will ease you in.
