22-year-old rapper Vince Staples just released his excellent debut album Summertime 06, on which his most popular song is not present. The album was met with rave reviews, in which Staples was praised for his lyricism and dexterity. However, "Blue Suede," Staples' most popular song to date, was nowhere to be found. It seemed as if Staples had no interest in capitalizing off the success of that song, instead vying to conquer entirely new territory. It is clear that Vince Staples has a lot to say. However, it appears the rapper would rather say it how he pleases than placate to any radio audience.
Staples feels that he can build a career through his authenticity, claiming that listeners will spread the word about his music once they discover the rapper. He told Hypetrak, "There's no such thing as a hit." Staples feels hits only add to the monotony of our current musical landscape. He continued, "If that was the case, we'd only be hearing the same songs. It's something that connects with people, and I can't really pick what connects with people. I just make songs that I have to make. I should feel like every song should potentially be huge. No one really ever knows what's going to be big, they just choose songs that are reminiscent of something they once felt. It has to happen to the right person at the right time and situation for it to become a hit, so I don't really try to focus on singles. I just aim to make the best body of work - no one is talking about the best single from 10 years ago."
Staples debut resonated with a lot of people and has certainly had the hip-hop community talking. Hopefully, the formula of fostering connections rather than inserting hooks into listeners' heads will be fruitful for Staples. Speaking of his protégé, Staples, NO I.D. told Hypetrak, "For me, it's a connection with the most amount of human beings who are interested. That sometimes can't be researched because it's a new thing, and if that's the case, then it'll just go in a circle - which happens - but every now and then somebody has to break the cycle in order to make a new direction."
