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Riot Boi
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Riot Boi Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length studio release for the New York rapper features guest appearances from DonChristian, Devonté Hynes, House of LaDosha, Junglepussy, and Miss Geri.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. The 405
    Nov 23, 2015
    85
    Riot Boi is an immensely listenable, often thrilling record, and on the first few spins you're more likely to be seduced by the beats, before digging into the lyrical content.
  2. Clash Music
    Nov 16, 2015
    80
    Riot Boi is a trailblazing record very much in the now. It's bombastic, and transgressive.
  3. AllMusic
    Nov 16, 2015
    80
    Combined with schizophrenic production (Evian Christ, Boody, Balam Acab, Lunice) that leaps from horny trap to frantic electroclash, Riot Boi overwhelms with twists, turns, and surprises, all of which are exhilarating.
  4. Pitchfork
    Nov 16, 2015
    75
    Riot Boi delivers what its title promises--a transgression of pop cultural limitations--most clearly in the final three tracks, socially-conscious slow jams with far more overt political messages than Le1f's usual banger-obscured radicalism.
  5. Consequence
    Nov 17, 2015
    75
    When given adequate space, Le1f once again succeeds just being the best and most honest version of himself.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Jan 20, 2016
    70
    "Do you think we could save the world?" This album--at turns discomforting, optimistic and altogether necessary-- makes you think the answer might be yes.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 16, 2015
    60
    Somewhere between the cuteness of Shamir and the scariness of Mykki Blanco you will find New York’s Le1f, a ballet dancer-turned-producer-turned rapper. Although his out-ness is a big part of the appeal of this warped and edgy party album, the nod to riot grrrl in its title hints at far wider-ranging agendas within.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. TalentlessHack
    Dec 30, 2015
    7
    Le1f is quite the eccentric artist, hence the eccentric album "Riot Boi".

    While I wasn't going head over heels for this project, it is full    Le1f is quite the eccentric artist, hence the eccentric album "Riot Boi".

    While I wasn't going head over heels for this project, it is full of lush ideas and production. What's even better is that Le1f himself, as both a performer and a rapper improved significantly. Better flows, better articulation, better everything.

    This album starts off hard with tracks like "Rage" and "Swirl" ft. Junglepu**y & House of LaDosha. Banging production with Le1f being the absolute center of attention here.

    Another album highlight is the track "Umami/Water". Again, another thrilling song with great production and Le1f stepping his game up.

    This album is not without it's flaws though as I really couldn't get into the last couple of tracks "Taxi" and "Tell". Songs that I appreciate for the experimentation, but like any experiment they can fail.

    Riot Boi is a album that goes pretty much everywhere. Not every single song here grabbed my attention, some even annoyed me. But when Le1f hits the right spot, which he does often on this record, it's pure. frickin. gold.

    Fav Tracks: Rage, Umami/Water, Swirl, Koi
    Least Fav Tracks: Taxi    … Expand
  2. AlexDionisio1
    Mar 2, 2016
    6
    There is something special about Le1f in 'Riot Boi' that shouldn't be overlooked. There are more than enough moments of fun, but the greatestThere is something special about Le1f in 'Riot Boi' that shouldn't be overlooked. There are more than enough moments of fun, but the greatest personality trait is Le1f's creative spark.… Expand

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