Fortune Favors the Bold

Dave East represents New York rap in a unique way. Respected and appreciated across hip-hop generations, he has neither conformed to any one style nor hopped on an ill-fitting wave. As such, his Teflon-strong discography holds up while many of his peers’ crumple and rust. His Def Jam return comes nearly four years after the auspicious release of his *Survival* album, a productive period marked by a steady stream of mixtapes and other projects. Across its 24 tracks, he recognizes the hustle necessary to stay relevant in real time, emboldened if genuine on “Still Here” and “DAMN.” Appearances by artists as seemingly disparate as Coi Leray, G-Eazy, and Kid Capri reflect his ability to stay true to himself while inviting other talented figures into his world. Veteran emcees Ghostface Killah and Jadakiss bring their perspectives to “Good Good Good” and “Weirdos,” respectively, yet solo moments like “Hallway Piss” and “It’s a Lot” do more to reinforce his growing legacy.