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Islah
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Islah Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length studio release for the Baton Rouge rapper features guest appearances from Jamie Foxx, Trey Songz, and Ty Dolla $ign on "Jam."
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Top Track

2 Phones
Hello? What the deal? Bet I got two phones, one for the plug and one for the load I got two phones, one for the bitches and one for the dough Think... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 17, 2016
    89
    Gates stands out amongst his peers through his ability to write fully realized songs, versus the normalized attempts to ride waves the production presents.
  2. Pitchfork
    Feb 4, 2016
    85
    On Islah, his hook-writing is sterling.
  3. Spin
    Feb 3, 2016
    80
    The most-balanced Kevin Gates project to date, discovering an equilibrium between his pummelers and his caressers we didn’t previously know was possible.
  4. AllMusic
    Mar 8, 2016
    80
    Check the excellent singles "Kno One," "Really Really," and "La Familia" for some easy persuasion, and then know that the album is devoid of superstar appearances because the captivating Gates doesn't need them.
  5. Consequence
    Feb 3, 2016
    75
    It’s a showcase of versatility that plays to its creator’s strengths enough to feel like a definitive statement, no matter how many other projects he’s released before it.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Feb 5, 2016
    70
    A cohesive, satisfying, fat-free full-length.
  7. RapReviews.com
    Mar 8, 2016
    50
    Overall this album has some definite stand out tracks: "Not the Only One," "2 Phones," "La Familia" and "Time For That." The rest of the project is not bad, it's just generally underwhelming.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. israelvg49
    Feb 14, 2016
    10
    I personally was shocked after i finished listening to this album, if you know about rap you know that reputation of Kevin Gates being a bum,I personally was shocked after i finished listening to this album, if you know about rap you know that reputation of Kevin Gates being a bum, although this was completely different project. This is probably one of the best rap projects of the year by far, was for sure impressed, and greatly awesome to hear before a workout.… Expand
  2. SecludedGodMind
    May 19, 2016
    10
    Album is worth it for the track "Told Me" alone. This is the first rap album I've ever purchased and knowing there's rap and hip hop out thereAlbum is worth it for the track "Told Me" alone. This is the first rap album I've ever purchased and knowing there's rap and hip hop out there like this, I'll be giving other rap artists much more attention than I used to. Kevin Gates has got some pretty sick music and does seem to genuinely have a knack for all music as a few of the tracks on Islah very clearly bend the genres. Amazing album.… Expand
  4. LDyhrKopp
    Feb 21, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Kevin Gates goes off again, with yet another extremely solid piece of music. Wish I Had It might be my favorite song on the album, which actually makes me more on his side than the fan he kicked. Yes you read that right. I didn't believe it at first myself. Easily one of the best rap albums of 2016 and it's only February.… Expand
  5. D_mayne
    Feb 4, 2016
    8
    Showcases his ability and plays to his strengths. Gates needed to prove he truly had another gear after the success of the trap anthem IDGT...Showcases his ability and plays to his strengths. Gates needed to prove he truly had another gear after the success of the trap anthem IDGT... He did not disappoint. The album does an excellent job of providing something for all his fans with stories of his success and the headaches that accompany the fame, to real world throwbacks to what brought him to this point, and a few more catchy trap anthems.… Expand
  6. AlbumReviewer
    Mar 16, 2016
    7
    Fav Songs-

    Not The Only One Really Really 2 Phones La Familia Thought I Heard One Thing The Truth Told Me Excuse Me Least Fav-    Fav Songs-

    Not The Only One
    Really Really
    2 Phones
    La Familia
    Thought I Heard
    One Thing
    The Truth
    Told Me
    Excuse Me

    Least Fav-

    Pride
    Hard For
    Ain't Too Hard
    I Love It
    Jam    … Expand
  7. jordanumo663
    Apr 17, 2016
    3
    Kevin Gates isn't a horrible artist but he's pretty generic which makes some of his music very boring. If every 5 seconds i mentioned how richKevin Gates isn't a horrible artist but he's pretty generic which makes some of his music very boring. If every 5 seconds i mentioned how rich i am it would get pretty annoying. Some songs on this album are ok but all together its not a very good album.… Collapse
  8. NickSiscoe
    Feb 5, 2016
    0
    Kevin Gates is just another generic crappy cut and copy edgy dumbass who beats girls for not sucking off his dog and has shoot and killedKevin Gates is just another generic crappy cut and copy edgy dumbass who beats girls for not sucking off his dog and has shoot and killed people and then goes on to make generic music and gets support from idiots… Expand

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