The Underachievers have been an interesting duo to watch develop. Forming in 2011, followed by an impressive signing with Flying Lotus’ label Brainfeeder; their discography remains small, consisting of only two incredible mixtapes thus far. After much talk and promise of a debut, the group’s first studio album will finally drop August 12. In preparation for the album Cellar Door, one half of The Underachievers Issa Gold released an eight track solo project via Soundcloud titled Conversations With A Butterfly. Featuring majority of the production from Montreal based producer Rami B, Issa raps for the first time, completely alone. Already coming from a group dynamic, this move is bold and inspired, as Conversations With A Butterfly serves as the perfect prelude for the upcoming album.
The tape begins beautifully. The saxophone stars the smooth production of the opening track and eases in to accompany the deep-voiced sample. The layered and laid back sound is the perfect backdrop for Gold’s energetic flow. At first glance of the track title I was expecting an ode to Outkast, but in fact “Aquinini” is really “A Queen and I.” The song details a spiritual love story between two thoughtful individuals who discover the deep and genuine similarities in each other through smoking. Different strands take them different places as they progress as lovers. The symmetry between the saxophone and his story is brilliant and it’s an incredible opening to the project.
Issa Gold’s effortless flow shines again over Rami B’s mellow production on “September 5.” He describes what appears to be a common “situationship” with a woman who he values, but he isn’t able to give her the time and attention she needs. She wants to be loved and Issa Gold wants to know “where the weed’s at.“ The rhymes are pure Beastcoast goodness and express the gray area and insecurity in their love and roles in each other’s lives.
Conversations With A Butterfly celebrates women in their queendom and in their more human ways of life and it’s a refreshing depiction of women in hip-hop. And as chill as the mixtape bumps, it’s more of a glimpse of who Issa Gold is as a solo artist while maintaining the characteristics The Underachievers are known and adored for. Issa Gold embodies the same psychedelic vibe in juxtaposition with his New York roots that are at the core of the Underachievers, yet we experience a new depth in the content and lyricism surrounding women and love. The creativity in Conversations With A Butterfly makes both the upcoming album that much more exciting as well as the potential of more solo work from Issa Gold.