Review: "Darrell" Album by Mitch Darrell
“Darrell” is the latest album from Raleigh, North Carolina-based Christian rapper Mitch Darrell. Prior to listening to this album, I checked out three of his earlier projects: 2016’s “Black Skin Colorless Soul”, 2017’s “My Experience” and 2019’s “Dreadhead Lando” (arguably the weakest of the three).
With Mitch’s new album, what impressed me from the jump was his wordplay, which has gotten considerably better since “Dreadhead Lando”. On “Mitch is Back”, he delivers a confident and purposeful first impression to both first-time and experienced listeners over a silky smooth, jazzy instrumental. Even on the delightful cypher “Rappity Rap” featuring Kody Free, Weez the Satellite Kiid and Joe Ayinde, Mitch shows that even amongst his peers, he can still be a formidable rapper.
Mitch also explores his Christianity and usage of rap as an outlet for mental and spiritual self-expression. On “No Turning Back Now” and “If I Die” respectively, Mitch raps about his imperfect yet spiritually necessary journey as a Christian, and his assurance that he will make it to Heaven once that journey has ended. On “Stuck”, he addresses his mental health, revealing that the anti-anxiety medication he continually takes leaves him depressed as a side effect. Though music is a successful cure to this depression, he questions the value of his musical output and overall rapping career on the following track “Give up my Dream”.
He even explores his own identity as an African American on the songs “I Wanna Quit” and “Black & Proud”, though in an appropriately narrow and broad focus respectively. The former, where Mitch expresses his loathing of his 9-to-5, hints that any chance at a higher position will most likely be hindered by his ethnicity. The latter is a joyous celebration of Black Pride, with its triumphant hook, upbeat instrumental (which switches to an EARGASMIC, G-funk-esque beat in the second half) and passionate performances by Mitch and guest rappers Montythehokage and James Gardin.
As a whole, “Darrell” is Mitch’s most well-conceived and well-assembled record in his discography thus far – and easily his best! The production, guest features and lack of filler help sustain the momentum of the album within its 14-track runtime and thematically, it’s guaranteed to stay with you long after you’ve heard it. If you’re a fan of conscious and/or Christian hip hop, this is an absolute must-listen!