Philly rapper/R&B vocalist
PnB Rock rose to mainstream stardom with a hybrid sound of smooth, even-keeled trap beats, auto-tuned raps, and melodic R&B hooks. Multiple mixtapes ratcheted up his profile, culminating in 2017 with his first proper studio album,
Catch These Vibes. Second studio album
TrapStar Turnt PopStar ambitiously follows that debut, presenting a darker reading of
PnB's well-oiled formula. Songs are still meticulously constructed from mid-tempo trap beats and blurry R&B melodies, but the content tends toward more personal, often tormented themes. Across a lengthy running time and 18 tracks,
PnB Rock is joined by a wealth of talented contributors including
Quavo,
Lil Skies,
A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and many others.
Tee Grizzley brings his always ferocious energy to "Go to Mars,"
XXXTentacion makes a posthumous appearance on the pained, nostalgic "MIDDLE CHILD," and even
Diplo shows up on the syrupy sentimentality of "Swervin'." ~ Fred Thomas