The Weekly Coos

It may be more that I’m not the target audience, but flex raps, have never been something I’ve gravitated towards as much as conscious rap, gangsta rap, and that boom-bap pizazz. But when it comes to TikTok sensation Ian, who has focused on the craft since 2018, he delivers an understanding of the genre, specifically the style he’s influenced by. Unfortunately, none of it feels natural. By that, I mean his build-up, and his hype, which is understandable if one has the means and funds to, or understands social media like a near no-life; so when Kendrick Lamar brought into the fray with the beef vs Drake, it left a slightly sour note. Though not everyone will feel that since he delivers music that hits the sensitivities for fans of trap, it showcases where we are in music, especially with the commodification of virality and TikTok. It becomes a moot point because the awareness one brings to the fray will continue and the music will come, and sometimes you hope the music is at least good. For Ian, the music isn’t as interesting on a content level, but at least the technicals are solid.

Valedictorian is a two-hander, a type of album I’ve come to love so much within the hip-hop genre cause it feels more centralized to a theme or sound, and that’s the case here. Ian and his producer Sxprano are giving us some glossy and energetic trap beats reminiscent of that early 2010s sound, from the drums to the synths, it’s a consistency that elevates the music into listenable levels. They have an idea and execute it; Unfortunately, the content is monotonous, and its levels of catchability dwindle since much of what he raps about is something I care less about because it reeks of a persona type that doesn’t offer much room to bring depth to his character. When he tries to, it immediately becomes disingenuous as he balances his youth with more flexes, making what could be something more heartfelt into something more relatable. In Ian’s first official project, he doesn’t maneuver much and the music we are hearing seems to show limits from his end, and at 19 minutes and 10 tracks, its swiftness is fleeting, making more songs forgettable. It doesn’t help that his vocals aren’t the most potent with their reliance on autotune.

Technicals are important in rap, that’s obvious and one quality consistent in Ian. However, he leaves me questioning why he over-sizzles that 2024 Autotune and makes some of his verses slightly inaudible, almost treading into mumble rap territory. There are glimpses where he raps without it and it’s solid. Truly, he is an artist you’ll either mess with or not because there are levels to the music that come across as hard and listenable for a heavy-handed Hip-Hop DJ at clubs, but it doesn’t have anything of redeemable quality. He can rap, but sometimes what he raps about isn’t resonating as much because of his background and how people judge the earn factor, akin to these gangsta, druggie rappers who have come from tougher backgrounds reflecting this sense that they earned the success, unlike Ian. I’m here wondering how to reflect with the kid as the music has a certain flow that barely tries to step out of a comfort zone, instead just feeling like the same dronish trap music without any sizzle. From the overlong chorus on “Never Stop” to the swift pacing and boring lyrics of “Figure it Out,” there isn’t much to return to.

That isn’t to say I hate all the songs on the album, but Valedictorian doesn’t do enough to keep me interested in whatever Ian does next. I respect the craft, but his cadences and constructional choices are middling and make the content, more just yawn-inducing. “Airbnb” and “Omakase” are the two that stood with me after multiple listens, mostly due to the comical flexes on the former when reflecting on Ian’s youth compared to who he wants to compare himself with, and the latter because of the lack in autotune in his raps. But you can’t hate the kid for using the tools to elevate himself to the stature he’s at and at least he isn’t phoning it in all the time. But his lack of trying to be somewhat different paves the way for the music to feel repetitive and weak. I’m left here wondering what more for him to flip the script and make interesting music, and though one can have some optimism, there isn’t much for me to leave this album with.

I can’t honestly recommend this album as it does little to move the needle in appeal. It’s frankly weak, monotonous, and lacks anything interesting. I was left there wondering if I was too old to understand the hype or why people like Ian as much as they do. At least those who enjoy his music have something to hang their head on with the music, for me, I’m just going to wait and see single by single if the momentum keeps flowing.