Kid Ink – “Be Real” (Feat. Dej Loaf) (Prod. DJ Mustard)

Kid Ink – “Be Real” (Feat. Dej Loaf) (Prod. DJ Mustard)

Kid Ink’s 2014 album, My Own Lane, positioned him as one of the most faceless, least distinguishable rappers in the game. Chris Brown hooks and DJ Mustard beats carried his hits “Show Me” and “Main Chick” to the point that I honestly can’t even remember what his voice even sounded like or anything he rapped, and those songs were inescapable. He was on his Flo Rida — and like Flo Rida, it sold. Thus, Ink will probably continue to be a vessel for urban radio hits for the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, his upcoming Full Speed is shaping up to be more fascinating. “Body Language,” his single with Usher and Tinashe, was a step up from his previous hits, and on his new “Be Real” he’s even developing an identifiable personality. Sure, that personality is basically “imitation Drake,” but it’s something. But let’s just be honest, let’s just be real: The highlights here are still the guest vocalist (Dej Loaf strutting her stuff, showing that she isn’t going away), and the beat (Mustard’s best in a few months, it fleeces his minimal synth snap with traces of uptempo dance music). It’s the best, most memorable Kid Ink song I’ve ever heard, so listen below.

Full Speed is out 1/30 on RCA.

more from News