Summertime '06
by Vince Staples
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Jun 30, 2015
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 292 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 292
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 292
  3. Negative: 11 out of 292
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  1. Bigmanny
    Jun 30, 2015
    9
    The Album is incredible. I can't wait to hear Vince later down the road. Good to see some fresh new talent step in the game with some heat. It's giving TPAB a run for its money.
  2. lucas0150
    Jun 30, 2015
    9
    Staples' raw, resigned style stands on the other extreme of the metaphysics and optimism of Kendrick Lamar, but tracks such as 'Dopeman' and 'Norf Norf' show that it can be just as addictive. At age 21, the Long Beach rapper has managed to convey potent doses of reality into his music in a way that some performers fail to do in their entire careers.
  3. Orudomonki
    Jul 2, 2015
    9
    Lyrical, Vince Staples tells us more wisdom and reality then any other 21 year old rapper out there. Yet what's even better than his lyrics, are deez beats: probably the best produced rap-album this year. A great LP debut for this Long Beach rapper, expect more from this guy in the future.
  4. childofthe90s
    Jul 9, 2015
    10
    Vince Staples got a masterpiece in his hands. the album was solid from start to finish. definitely an album of the year. "Senorita" is my favorite song on the LP.
  5. 2ndBMN
    Jul 8, 2015
    9
    Stellar production from No-ID and Staples steps up his deliver, laying down one of the most moody, thrilling, menacing and interesting debuts of the year.
  6. TalentlessHack
    Dec 30, 2015
    9
    Long Beach rapper Vince Staples comes through with one hell of a debut record.

    If I could describe this record in one word, it would be "Raw". From the production delivered by No I.D., Clams Casino and DJ Dahi, to the strong list of feature artists, down to Vince's hard hitting, yet easy to follow rapstyle. Raw. Summertime '06 is a record that is shockingly beautiful for all the    Long Beach rapper Vince Staples comes through with one hell of a debut record.

    If I could describe this record in one word, it would be "Raw".
    From the production delivered by No I.D., Clams Casino and DJ Dahi, to the strong list of feature artists, down to Vince's hard hitting, yet easy to follow rapstyle. Raw.

    Summertime '06 is a record that is shockingly beautiful for all the ugly and menacing things Vince paints with his music as we go through the emotional highs and lows of this Long Beach youth. If it were not for two average tracks here ("Might Be Wrong" and "Loca"), this album would've been prefect. But can you really blame him after making a extremely consistent and cohesive 20 track long project?

    Fav Tracks: Norf Norf, Senorita, Jump Off The Roof, Get Paid, Street Punks, 3230
    Least Fav Track: Might Be Wrong    … Expand
  7. eli_obeid
    Feb 12, 2016
    10
    Flames is an understatement, Vince executed it so swiftly in this project................ just wow, what a beautiful work of art. Now excuse me while I go and bump this album in my car
  8. Dayro
    Jul 3, 2015
    10
    Incredible debut album. Didn't think he could top his mixtapes, but he sure did. Amazing lyrics and also alot of solid beats by Clams Casino and others.
    Favorite song: Summertime
  9. Ventrilla
    Dec 25, 2015
    9
    This is definitely an improvement from his last album. Vince packs nice flows and great lyricism into a wonderfully put together story line. I think the beats are great but they need a little improvement but not much. In my top 5 albums of this year for sure and maybe in my top 10 of all time.
  10. mikecarboni
    Oct 8, 2015
    10
    Incredible album. One of the best debuts in a long time. Keep doing what you want to do, and forget about what people want. He is going to be one of the best rappers right now, if not he already is in my opinion.
  11. jesseurbancsik
    Jul 3, 2015
    9
    AMAZING DEBUT ALBUM by the past Odd Future member. This album has the perfect amount of 'gangsta rap', psychedelic music and pure WTF'ness, but that is what makes it a great album. It's an added bonus that it is a double disc album! >
  12. keve16
    Jul 3, 2015
    9
    8.6/10................................................................................................................................................
  13. ImDoingWellsie
    Jun 30, 2015
    2
    This album was so underwhelming as a lot of the tracks seemed the same to me. The first half was definitely weaker than the second though. I think Vince is a lot more of a feature rapper and can't really carry out a totally cohesive project that won't lose me half way through. I wish there was more to this album. It's too late Charmi.
  14. lisiak
    Dec 19, 2015
    2
    I don't understand 'a genious' of this guy. This album sounds terrible. Staples's flow is tragic. Maybe a production in a few tracks is OK. 2/10, don't like this.
  15. ben_zo77
    Nov 29, 2015
    9
    Summertime '06 is one of the best debut albums in recent memory, one I would say is just short of classic territory. With a significant assist from the legendary producer and Def Jam executive No I.D., Vince Staples effectively communicates to listeners how he felt in the summer of 2006. This album, along with Kendrick Lamar's TPAB, have been the two projects in 2015 that have requiredSummertime '06 is one of the best debut albums in recent memory, one I would say is just short of classic territory. With a significant assist from the legendary producer and Def Jam executive No I.D., Vince Staples effectively communicates to listeners how he felt in the summer of 2006. This album, along with Kendrick Lamar's TPAB, have been the two projects in 2015 that have required listen after listen after listen for me to fully digest and understand them. With a debut like this one, it's possible Vince could become a significant figure in hip hop very soon. I can't wait to see what he can accomplish with his next album. ~ 8.8/10
    (Disc One: 8.7/10) (Disc Two: 9.0/10)
    Best Track: "Norf Norf"
    Other notable tracks: "Señorita", "Summertime", "Get Paid", "Street Punks", "Hang 'N' Bang", "C.N.B." & "Like It Is"    … Expand
  16. WolfLambert
    Jul 31, 2015
    7
    Not entirely my thing but definitely an impressive debut. The theme runs through it quite well and there are definitely some positively interesting choices Staples is taking musically. He's got a good flow most of the time, the only track that didn't really please me is Get Paid, especially when you're coming from something as strong as Might Be Wrong (one of the best on the album) butNot entirely my thing but definitely an impressive debut. The theme runs through it quite well and there are definitely some positively interesting choices Staples is taking musically. He's got a good flow most of the time, the only track that didn't really please me is Get Paid, especially when you're coming from something as strong as Might Be Wrong (one of the best on the album) but it's still bearable.

    One thing though, this is a double album? It's divided in two parts, sure, but it's just fifty-nine minutes long which is within an album's length. If this is a double something it's a double EP.    … Expand
  17. homer4president
    Mar 10, 2016
    9
    Great album by Vince. It took a few spins to fully appreciate it, at first I was expecting it to sound like Stolen Youth. I honestly think this is his best work to date, lyrics and production are on point. Be prepared to go down a dark summer tale!
  18. GucciBalboa
    Nov 25, 2015
    6
    Decent album a little drawn out though if he had made it only one disk then I would give it an 8. Also didn't enjoy some of the chorus's very much especially Loca.
  19. AlecSweatshirt
    Dec 8, 2015
    5
    Being a Vince Staples fan I was anticipating this a lot. Unfortunately, he compromised his sound on this LP. He is trying to be someone he isn't and it's disappointing.
  20. dnf17
    Jan 10, 2017
    10
    Absolutely genius. Gets better and better with each listen. You have to go into it with an open mind. Excellent work, I'm excited to see how Vince can top this with his next full-length album.
  21. tevin_pa9551
    Jun 24, 2017
    9
    Vince Staples has the rap game on lock, but silently. Summertime '06 has appeal from the realm of west coast, to trap and anthem choruses which I think is his strength. The minimalism the comes from his music stands out also. Like yeah he's spitting lyrics but the chorus on tracks make the song(s) better after a couple listens. It's a very raw but structured album where it's not lazy. YeahVince Staples has the rap game on lock, but silently. Summertime '06 has appeal from the realm of west coast, to trap and anthem choruses which I think is his strength. The minimalism the comes from his music stands out also. Like yeah he's spitting lyrics but the chorus on tracks make the song(s) better after a couple listens. It's a very raw but structured album where it's not lazy. Yeah 20 tracks but it's not a 90min. album. Vince makes music like a premium channel where it's 3min records / as tv has a 10 episode season.. basically it's straight to the point. The album has purpose and is a for sure replay value album for years to come in my eyes. Since the Hell Can Wait EP he's continue to challenge the way he makes more album. Sounds like his idol Kanye.

    Favorite Tracks: D1 | Norf Norf, Loca, and Jump Off the Roof / D2 | Street Punk, Hang N Bang and Might Be Wrong.    … Expand
  22. C_dot
    Feb 14, 2019
    10
    Vince Staples produces a masterpiece for his debut album. He ties in his world of violence on the streets at every corner of the album while he flows so easily over a variety of beats. He puts this in his lyrics so perfectly and ahead of his age. He has some up beat bangers on the album to go with the more soulful and thoughtful tracks, all executed perfectly. Summertime '06 is a step intoVince Staples produces a masterpiece for his debut album. He ties in his world of violence on the streets at every corner of the album while he flows so easily over a variety of beats. He puts this in his lyrics so perfectly and ahead of his age. He has some up beat bangers on the album to go with the more soulful and thoughtful tracks, all executed perfectly. Summertime '06 is a step into Vince Staples' world, making you feel like you're in North Long Beach right with him.… Expand
  23. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 18, 2021
    8
    This is one for rap canon. A staple to be held in high regard for years to come. Arriving quietly with it's monotone jaded outlook you can't help but let the dark cloud settle. There's hardly a glimmer of uninterrupted positivity as Vince recounts searing realities in drug ravaged neighbourhoods (some in which he used it to his benefit) . But Vince is capable of handling heavy topics withThis is one for rap canon. A staple to be held in high regard for years to come. Arriving quietly with it's monotone jaded outlook you can't help but let the dark cloud settle. There's hardly a glimmer of uninterrupted positivity as Vince recounts searing realities in drug ravaged neighbourhoods (some in which he used it to his benefit) . But Vince is capable of handling heavy topics with an ear for hooks unlike his contemporary Earl Sweatshirt. The higlight "Norf Norf" is a charismatic track that paints vivid portraits that complell Karen's to dedicate video essays to how "problematic " it is. The features who are mostly underground unknowns like Vince himself sound as essential as the MC's monotone. A promising debut for a talented Mc.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2015
49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2015
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Source
    Aug 4, 2015
    90
    When it's a;l said and done, Summertime '06 will be remembered as one of--if not solely--2015's best. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.87]
  2. RapReviews.com
    Jul 21, 2015
    80
    Summertime '06 is extremely cohesive, but occasionally tiptoes on being monotonous.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Jul 20, 2015
    80
    Splitting this weighty and rich effort into digestible chunks, the album's physical release comes on two separate discs, making Summertime '06 an artistic triumph wrapped in conceptually fitting package.
    Read full review
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