Diggy Simmons… Unexpected Arrival album review

Kevin Benoit

Diggy Simmons is all grown up these days, far removed from the Run’s House television show and his Hip-Hop collective, All City Chess Club. Seeking to follow in his dad’s footsteps, Diggy Simmons, started unleashing mixtapes on the world with touches of production from Pharrell and a list of guest appearances from the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Bruno Mars. It was therefore evident that Diggy would enter the studio and craft a debut, known as Unexpected Arrival.

The title, somewhat a play on words (because it was expected that one of Rev Run’s kids would jump into the Hip-Hop game) combines a charisma and confidence from the 17 year-old with clever wordplay that is savvy at times, boring and un-unique at others. But it was probably prescripted that Diggy would be compared to his father, yet Diggy on Unexpected Arrival tries to get away from that shadow.

One of Unexpected Arrival’s highlights is “88,” a nod to the family tree that he sprang up from and the notable achievements that happened that year in rap as a whole. Diggy is able to deliver the lines and rhymes cleverly and without any hesitation, but where it seems he is most comfortable is in the love lane with R & B-esque cuts such as “Do It Like You,” “Glow in the Dark,” and “Special occasion.” On songs like these, Diggy has no problem verbalizing his emotions and feelings.

Unexpected Arrival is a giddy debut that somehow manages to remain in the adolescent arena. It is loaded with lyrics that feel childish and juvenile, to where Diggy may end up falling into same stereotypical trap that happened to Bow Wow and Romeo. It is possible, however, that he could end up being as legendary as his dad. For that only the Hip-Hop Gods in the ethers know.

Unexpected Arrival receives a PAR

Rating:

P…Horrible

PA…Tolerable

PAR…Good

PARL…Kinda Great

PARLÉ… Classic

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The title, somewhat a play on words (because it was expected that one of Rev Run’s kids would jump into the Hip-Hop game) combines a charisma and confidence from the 17 year-old with clever wordplay that is savvy at times, boring and un-unique at others. But it was probably prescripted that Diggy would be compared to his father, yet Diggy on Unexpected Arrival tries to get away from that shadow.

One of Unexpected Arrival‘s highlights is “88,” a nod to the family tree that he sprang up from and the notable achievements that happened that year in rap as a whole. Diggy is able to deliver the lines and rhymes cleverly and without any hesitation, but where it seems he is most comfortable is in the love lane with R & B-esque cuts such as “Do It Like You,” “Glow in the Dark,” and “Special occasion.” On songs like these, Diggy has no problem verbalizing his emotions and feelings.

Unexpected Arrival is a giddy debut that somehow manages to remain in the adolescent arena. It is loaded with lyrics that feel childish and juvenile, to where Diggy may end up falling into same stereotypical trap that happened to Bow Wow and Romeo. It is possible, however, that he could end up being as legendary as his dad. For that only the Hip-Hop Gods in the ethers know.

Unexpected Arrival receives a PAR

Rating:
P…Horrible
PA…Tolerable
PAR…Good
PARL…Kinda Great
PARLÉ… Classic

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