Prima Donna [EP]
by Vince Staples
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Aug 26, 2016
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 106
  3. Negative: 4 out of 106
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  1. abelesmw
    Aug 30, 2016
    9
    A concept album that where the sounds live up to the ideas, Vince employs James Blake, No ID, DJ Dahi, A$AP Rocky, and an Andre 3000 sample for an A+ effort. Chopped and Screwed by James Blake, War Ready is one of the most interesting production I've heard on a hip hop album this year. Vince shines on Pimp Hand, solidifying his flow as one of the best in the game.
  2. jesseurbancsik
    Aug 30, 2016
    9
    Vince Staples does it again, this time in a short EP, in my opinion I wish this would have been an entire album! I like how he keeps his fans satisfied in the meantime while we all wait for the follow-up to Summertime 06'. The production on this EP is amazing with tight lyrics with good rhymes. Another great piece of work Mr. Staples. KEEP IT UP!
  3. SergioV
    Aug 30, 2016
    8
    77/100.

    Overall I'd say my summary for this album comes down to two words: Pretty Dope. The last 3 songs, "Prima Donna", "Pimp Hand" and "Big Time" really ride.
  4. AJBurny
    Sep 1, 2016
    9
    With amazing production and haunting lyrics, Vince Staples continues his hot streak that started back in 2014 with the critically acclaimed Hell Can Wait EP. Everything since from the Long Beach rapper has been heavily polished, politically and socially aware, harrowing and gripping at the same time. This project is no exception.
  5. Cypher_ATL
    Sep 15, 2016
    8
    Once again, Vince has given his fans and critics something to enjoy. This brief, 7-track EP was perfect of Vince to give to his fans, and I enjoyed this project front to back. On his debut album almost the whole album is handled by the legendary producer No I.D., but on this project there are several producers that play into the whole EP. Vinny Staples once again pulls through with hisOnce again, Vince has given his fans and critics something to enjoy. This brief, 7-track EP was perfect of Vince to give to his fans, and I enjoyed this project front to back. On his debut album almost the whole album is handled by the legendary producer No I.D., but on this project there are several producers that play into the whole EP. Vinny Staples once again pulls through with his lyrics and introspective views on American culture, and he is one of the brightest, young artists in Hip-Hop today. The overall idea and meaning behind Prima Donna is very impressive for someone that is so young and new to the game that you're just thankful that a bright, young figure is doing so well in Hip-Hop today. I think this project is very entertaining, and in some ways very upsetting when Vince comes along to his singing ballads at the beginning of the EP, and after the end of several songs. We saw a lot of heart and feelings pour out to some parts of his first album, but this time I think he's more on the depressive state of being successful which we've seen a few artists talk about before. I believe that almost all Vince Staples fans will love this album, but also if you're a fan of this new wave of talented, young rappers then you'll also dig this little taste of Vince. This EP is eccentric and creative, and this EP continues the trend of solid Hip-Hop projects released in the back half of the year.… Expand
  6. homer4president
    Nov 29, 2016
    8
    Excellent lyricism on level with Kendrick. Clever, meaningful and creative. Compelling and moving content reflective of life, death, and the struggles in between.
  7. tevin_pa9551
    Jun 24, 2017
    9
    It's hot the best EP of 2016.
    YOU AND KILO NEED A ALBUM!
    PROGRESS IS KEY WHEN TALKING Vince Staples!

    Favorites: War Ready, Loco, Prima Donna and Pimp Hand.
  8. Smoke-Key
    Feb 19, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. everything from the title track flows like butter, every hook, every verse, every beat has you bumping your head and replaying the track, every track is so catchy you completely breeze by the amazing lyrical meaning, like the wavy title track "prima donna" completely intoxicates you with asap rockys hook also has you shedding a tear during the outro. the entire ep tells the story of a depressed gangster(its also a parallel for vince himself) thats has lost everything and has lost himself and almost kills himself in his hotel after that experience he finds himself and decides to stop destroying his home and build it up instead… Expand
  9. clem666
    May 2, 2021
    6
    The sujects tackled in 'Prima Donna' are truly deep, accurate and unfaked. Vince Staples surely delivers some quotable lines and interesting states of mind. Production honestly shines here and there.

    But what I don't like in 'Prima Donna' is that it sounds really unstructured. Where you can witness some measures of brightness and intelligence you can also listen to overly painful,    The sujects tackled in 'Prima Donna' are truly deep, accurate and unfaked. Vince Staples surely delivers some quotable lines and interesting states of mind. Production honestly shines here and there.

    But what I don't like in 'Prima Donna' is that it sounds really unstructured. Where you can witness some measures of brightness and intelligence you can also listen to overly painful, unoriginal and uninspired rhymes and beats. At some point I just couldn't stand these repetitve interludes anymore (like in the end of 'Smile' or even all along 'Let It Shine'). Even for an EP a lot of tracks (and it goes the same way for the overall project) look and sound unfinished. Vince Staples gets out of it by throwing a handful of glitters in our faces and ears.    … Expand
  10. gabriscaff
    Dec 31, 2020
    7
    This EP moving me, for the first time into the world of Vince Staples. The first listening was absolutely crazy, a mixing of electronic and hip-hop, wow. The production is crazy, with James Blake on fire. Vince Staples lyrics are good, and flow is yes. It is not easy to listen this project, due to his rough electronic nature, but is a lot interesting.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 12, 2016
    80
    Prima Donna is an essential snapshot of 2016 that bears witness to the evolution of an artist coming into his own with an unflinching, socially conscious perspective.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Nov 8, 2016
    80
    The production, courtesy of DJ Dahi, No ID and James Blake, spirals outward from the world this Long Beach native’s peers inhabit and into satisfyingly experimental territory. [Oct 2016, p.65]
  3. NOW Magazine
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    Prima Donna bristles with paranoia, anxiety, depression and anger about racism, violence, the music industry and his own psychological state. Loco distills all that. Staples's vicious, suicidal fever dream sees him alluding to Van Gogh's mental illness and dropping references to The Great Gatsby and James Joyce.
    Read full review
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