Dave East Solidifies His Veteran Status on Karma 4, But Falls Short of a Classic

Those of us tapped into the hip-hop scene have watched Dave East mature from a Nas protégé to a grizzly veteran. While always a solid wordsmith, we’ve seen him find his lane and comfort in the industry. With Karma 4, it feels like we’re seeing the rapper in his prime, though a classic album remains the one thing missing. While I don’t feel the album hits that classic mark, the project overall provides a solid listen for fans.

Coming in at 26 tracks—even with an intro, outro, and skits—the sheer length suggests it could have been two separate projects, yet the quality never dips, nor do the tracks blend together. There are no outright hits, but also no skips, with each track holding its own. While Dave East flows effortlessly, what sets many songs apart is the quality of the 14 feature artists, which range from highs like Stove God Cooks and Key Glock to lows like Jacquees. While the quality remains high throughout, I feel that trimming the tracklist a bit might have been beneficial.

Karma 4 often feels like a collaborative showcase, but East does a good job of picking artists that complement the track. “Bottega Trunks” with Stove God Cooks is a perfect example of two artists with masterful flows keeping it lighthearted. Similarly, “Met Gala” with Key Glock shows their versatility, creating a cohesive track over a thumping beat. However, the project stumbles with “Respectfully,” where East’s flow didn’t mesh well with Larry June’s “lazy flow,” and with “Never Get Enough,” due to Jacquees’ heavily autotuned crooning.

Overall, Karma 4 is a solid project from a solid artist, with solid features and production. It is undeniably a well-produced and curated project. As Dave East leans into his veteran status, the hope is for that project that launches him to the next superstar level, but I don’t believe this is that album. However, if you’re a fan of good rap music, this project deserves a spot in your rotation.

Standout Tracks: Bottega Trunks, Havana, Met Gala, Demon, Desperation, 12 Months

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (7.5/10)