Dave East “Survival” Review Plus Hear What It Is Was Like Working With NAS
Posted On November 9, 2019
Harlem native rapper/actor David Brewster Jr. has been twisting words and losing his thoughts on beats for nearly 10 years.
David better known as Dave East was born in 88′ and raised in the golden era of Hip-Hop.
The New York emcee dropped his first mixtape ‘Change of Plans’ in 2010. Nine years later East finds himself among Hip-Hop’s elite. 2019’s ‘Survival’ is a special project that sounds and feels nostalgic.
Storytelling, slick wordplay, love, lust, street life, growing up, feel good vibes and lessons learned appear spread across 20 tracks.
‘Survival’ has a slew of guest features from A-listers to up and comers.
The star studded list goes a
The production on the project is serious and transports us to the streets of NYC. It’s an album you can put on and rock with for the whole 78 minutes.
Production credits are just as tough as the features list some iconic hands and ears have blessed ‘Survival’.
Some note-worthy contributions came from; Murda Beatz, Street Symphony, Timbaland, Swizz Beats, DJ Green Lantern, and AraabMUZIK just to name a few.
‘Survival’ takes us on Dave’s journey from the Projects to Penthouse views and everything in between.
The first few tracks Dave speaks about his early days before he stepped in the both, views from the top floor, a soulful introspective joint featuring the one and only Nas and an anthem for the dreamers.
“Sometimes you can’t see it yourself/ You need a sign/ You need some help”
Dave Speaks About Recording With Nas
“On My Way 2 School” paints the picture as we see life from Dave’s point of view and how his teachers felt towards him. “Seventeen” reflects on the life he was living with clear imagery.
“Thinking back when I was only seventeen, dirty little n**** room was never clean, I had the cornrows like Bubbah Chuck (AI), trying to make it to the league, get on whoever team, then nightmares started coming I could never dream, demons talking to me god please intervene, I used to wear my new Jordans till the soul ripped, girls used to look at me like I was never clean”
The middle section of the album is laced with features from Rick Ross and The-Dream on “OG”. Fabolous blessed Dave with some fire bars on “What’s Going On,” and Jacquees soulfully croons “I can’t leave you alone, You got me feenin,” on the lead single “Alone.”
The last half of the album closes out with some joints that keep you noddin’ your head, one of my personal favorites at the moment “Night Shift,” and a heartfelt tribute to Nipsey Hustle featuring Uncle Snoop that closes out the project.
The Verdict
‘Survival’ is a 20 track project you can hit play on and let ride out. Production is timeless and paints the landscapes of New York City beautifully.
Roll one up, put your headphones on or
After thoroughly listing to this project I give it a 4.5 out of 5.0, it has a bit of everything and something for every type of fan. All of the production is top-notch and Dave spits strong bar after strong bar.
I would like to see fewer features on the next project. The ad-libs and speaking portions of the album add depth to the project and lands ‘Survival’ into the discussion of classic albums.
‘Survival’ is available everywhere be sure to give a listen and IMUer’s let us know what your favorite track is. Let’s start the conversation. Be sure to check out our exclusive footage from the intimate listening session.
(Image courtesy of Apple Music, video is courtesy of IMUMEDIA, source Istanderedproducers)
