Featuring a theme of hopelessness and loss of innocence Vince Staples new album, “Ramona Park Broke My Heart” measures up to his laid-back style. PHOTO CREDIT: Hypebeast
Melancholy. That’s the best way to describe California rapper Vince Staples’s newest album, “Ramona Park Broke My Heart.”
On this 16-track album, named after a park in Long Beach, CA, Staples explores the duality of growing up in California. “Ramona Park Broke My Heart” was created as a sister album to 2021’s “VINCE STAPLES.” Both projects feature Staples’s signature laid-back style and themes of loss of innocence, hopelessness and despair.
Staples grew up on the streets of Compton where violence, drugs and gangs were all a part of his daily life. On “Ramona Park Broke My Heart” and “VINCE STAPLES,” the effects of living in such a dangerous environment can be seen. Vince nonchalantly raps over stripped-down beats about his fears growing up amidst the chaos. “VINCE STAPLES” and “Ramona Park Broke My Heart” act as an autobiography of Staples’ life.
Throughout the album, there is a recurring theme of the beach. Often seen as a tranquil space, Staples juxtaposes the sounds of waves crashing with vivid spoken descriptions of the violence from his upbringing, along with gunshots, sirens and other familiar sounds from Compton.
Overall “Ramona Park Broke My Heart” works really well thematically as an album. Staples’ voice holds the album together like glue, while the faded instrumentals remain present on each track.
The features from Lil Baby on “EAST POINT PRAYER” and Ty Dolla $ign on “LEMONADE” work surprisingly well. “EAST POINT PRAYER” in particular was an interesting track to listen to as Vince is known for his laid-back style and attitude, while Lil Baby is known for more mainstream “in-your-face” style rapping. These two balance each other out on the track which is one of the most popular off the album so far. “LEMONADE” plays to both artists’ strengths as Vince raps in his usual style while Ty Dolla $ign showcases his vocal talent on his verses.
On “LEMONADE”, Staples raps “From the ghetto, by the beach, bullets in a breeze,” which perfectly encapsulates the theme of the album as a whole. The contradiction of living by the beach, but also surrounded by violence and crime, is a really personal feeling shared by Vince on the album. His loss of innocence at a young age growing up in a violent environment remains a constant struggle in Staples’ life.
Ordinarily, the monotone presentation of a rapper’s voice along with drab, muted beats would hinder an album’s listenability, but in the case of “Ramona Park Broke My Heart,” it adds to the somber, nostalgic feeling that Staples was looking to create. In his recent projects, Staples has showcased his simpler side, ignoring the thrills of mainstream hip hop and delivering his story in his distinct style. This gives him a serious case for being the face of modern West Coast hip hop.
Staples doesn’t buy into the thrills and riches of being a successful rapper, which can be seen in all aspects of his life. His social media use is minimal, his fashion choices are simplistic and he remains true to his roots of growing up in Long Beach, never taking anything for granted.
“Ramona Park Broke My Heart” is a powerful, nostalgic story of a childhood lost to the violence, drugs and crime around, and Vince Staples steps up and performs yet again.