Victor Rose "I Don't Know What I'm Doing"

In the world of Hip Hop there’s a proverbial tree in which all who emerge in the culture originate. A tree that branches off into different categories, styles and techniques forming various niches in which fellow MCs embrace and make their own. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist Victor Rose’s musical style, and approach proves he’s a descendent of this bunch of collectives which includes Native Tongue, Outkast, and more recently Odd Future. The Funkadelic, soul inspired quirky eccentricity exhibited in most of the recordings give off this musical aesthetic. One who embraces creativity, individuality, has an avant-garde approach, evoking a soulful mystic are just some of the identifying qualities exemplified by artists from this tree. On Victor Rose’s “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” all of the above mentioned facets are evident on this album.

The intro is humorous and gravitating utilizing an amusing skit to draw in the listener. A precursor of what’s to come.

Sequencing into a “Track 2” a triumphant musical arrangement bolstered by an emphatic trumpet the Milwaukee native gives you an intimate look into his aspirations. Equipped with alluring drums, sped up rimshots, and a thick synth bass Victor raps “I know you tired of the same sound ain't you glad I came ‘round”. This is Victor’s College Dropout style proclamation an inspiration derived from a fellow Native Tongue progeny.

Delving into “Apogee 9000” you’re now on an outer space excursion with Victor as your flight attendant, and pilot. Paying homage to the blaxploitation films of the 60s and 70s. Laced with an intergalactic hypnotic sample, Victor incorporates more humor while smoothly delivering the itinerary and amenities available for the journey.

This elegantly seeps into “ET”. A song driven by an electric guitar sample possessing a very soothing and transcending aura coupled with unique instrumentation. This metaphysical, space induced recording is very calming and well executed. Victor personifies a creature from outer space. A metaphor for being typecasts as an anomaly while embracing the characteristics that makes one unique. Victor is in his element showing off his flexibility and creative prowess.

“Fuck It’ samples “Summer Madness” by Kool and The Gang. This song possesses added instrumentation and filtered transitions. Victor shows that he is more than just a rapper purportedly flexing his production capabilities. Boosting a thunderous kick drum and added instruments the artist just serves up a cool instrumental.

“Here We Go Again” is driven by a soul sample. The relaxed melodic flow employed by Victor is highly engaging. He navigates effortlessly on this standout track with a memorable line “you win, you lose, you bend the rules, the game you choose, one or the other depend on who, is judging”.

Followed by “In My Zone” which is a more ominous composition. Lead by a thick groovy bass line filled with witty wordplay. “In my Zone” finds the artist weaving together cannabis inspired lyrics. “I’m like sickle cell but sicker... I got a solution go smoke indo then go play some Nintendo”.

“Tension” has a 90s era vibe adorned by a running jazzy bass line this sound is in the spirit of Easy Mo Bee. A heralded nineties producer who is one of the few to produce for The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac while they were alive. Victor Rose’s diversity is illuminated delivering like a 90s veteran would displaying his storytelling ability. As well as gifting us with a quotable, Victor raps “attention you can never get strong without some tension”.

“Walking Dead” is a conceptual piece delving into contracting the metaphorical disease of complacency, or those who lose sight of their dreams. The guitar riff on the bridge section is exhilarating, this added instrumentation takes this recording into another stratosphere.

“Make It Mine” the rapping displayed on this cut unfortunately suggest that Victor Rose is a talent trapped in the wrong era, where his contemporaries mumble, he injects phrases you stumble upon, that make you double back and ponder on.

“So Far To Go” as the title suggest is a freestyle over a Jay Dilla production. This selection confirmed my suspicion. Riddled in this project is inspiration derived by some of Chicago’s best to ever touch the mic. Common, Ye’, Chance The Rapper, all artists I consider to be stemming from the Native Tongue branch. A cool rendition with an added electric guitar lick at the end.

“I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” is a rebuttal to anyone who doubts your individuality. This album is ambitious in a myriad of ways. Ambitious in content with lofty aspirations to turn his musical career into a success story. The production is ambitious featuring funkadelic and soul samples attuned to appeal to the voyager in you. The content and aura is centered around elevation. Proliferated with ambient instrumentation Victor Rose’s cunning lyrical deftness fuses witty skits, trippy compositions and a unique perspective creating an eclectic musical experience. What this album is devoid of is sound quality. The engineering and recordings leave more to be desired. Where Victor Rose excels is with his cadence. His flow is on queue flowing within the metronome Victor displays exquisite timing showing his innate ability to rap couplets favorably.

This album is a period piece set to establish the rapper’s uncanny ability to thrive not amongst his contemporaries, transcending beyond to what many would consider the Golden Era of HipHop the 90s, & 2000s, and following the eclectic pedigree set by his predecessors. To pay homage to those before establishing your roots, to illuminate the mind, to branch off and be different, and most importantly to bear fruit.