Vince Staples released his 6th studio album in 2024. At 31, he is no longer in the galaxy of young shots, he nevertheless remains among the most relevant and most inspired. Dark Times could be the title of all works in 2024, of all films, all novels, all collections of poetry, all music. It is the most lucid, the clearest feeling. While capitalism is moving towards fascism and authoritarian models are imposing themselves almost everywhere, there are still more or less half of the humans on this Earth who do not see things that way and who intend to express it well. Vince Staples has perfectly identified the situation, it is the framework of this high-level album, completely distinct from other hip-hop albums, set with electronic experiments, instrumental sessions and choral repartee in the service of his excellent words.
Through his own communication experiences in private and public life, he explores the darkness covering the situation. He should even write a novel about it, like Nick Cave does with his song material. As is the case with all humans of good will, his thoughts oscillate between discouragement, abandonment or the quest for inspiration and plenitude. A deep understanding of existence does not guarantee the best works of art, but it is certainly not an obstacle to their creation. Vince Staples’ level of consciousness is one of the most remarkable on the hip-hop planet, his artistic righteousness and the pursuit of absolutely unique research position him among the young masters of the style. In these dark times, the faintest lights are welcome, they open the way to another future, more interesting, more transcendent, which we do not yet see but which will perhaps end up triumphant.
