GoldLink has returned in 2019 to release his fantastic debut studio album, Diaspora. He explores music variances relating to his origins and culture. Diaspora, meaning the “worldwide collection of communities descended from native sub-Saharan Africans or people from sub-Saharan Africa,” as a title, represents this album really well. GoldLink recruits quite a few stellar features to create a cohesive album that explores many different vibes while still producing a very modern and radio-ready effort.
Let’s hope he heads out on a solo tour for this soon, but in the meantime, be sure to catch him opening up for Tyler, the Creator for select dates on the Igor tour.
Here are my favorite tracks off GoldLink’s debut album, Diaspora.
“Joke Ting” feat. AriPenSmith
I really love this beat, it reminds me of some light Monte Booker production. The first feature is from Ari and he kills a simple, catchy hook. He’s only been featured on a few tracks prior to his work on Diaspora, but he’s got obvious talent. Ari reminds me of an artist like Steve Lacy and we will be sure to keep an eye out for him in the future. Playing right behind the intro track, this is a perfect song to give listeners a standard of how this album will play out. As he mentions within four bars of his first verse, GoldLink is most definitely “Back on his ‘Crew’ shit” with this track. Quick, clean rhymes throughout paired with the hook make this a really great track from front to back.
“Maniac”
This is a great trap track from GoldLink and it’s got everyone’s head nodding. During the hook, there’s a really clean pan flute/voice vox that was super dope. GoldLink’s first verse is one of his best off the album… and then the second one somehow tops it immediately afterwards. With a hook that’s two lines it’s easy to memorize; I’m sure he’ll have plenty of fans singing it every time it comes on. I also love when he praises Mac and one of my favorite tracks off his project Faces, “Insomniak” feat. Rick Ross. Run this track back a few times, it’s a gem.
“Days Like This” feat. Khalid
This track is spectacular! These two worked together unbelievably. Although these two already collaborated on a remix of Khalid’s “Lets Go”, the duos first original collaboration is a really eerie, hard hitting R&B track. I really dig the hook, it has a lot of rhythm to it and it hops through and around the drum pattern really nicely. GoldLink’s verse taps into his signature style and makes for another great track all the way thru.
“Cokewhite” feat. Pusha T
Hands down my favorite track on the album. This song has legitimately given me goosebumps multiple times. Pusha T is given the perfect amount of freedom with a loose, yet hard hitting beat to show-off his unique flow and enticing rhymes. This is most definitely one my favorite Push verses and I think it’d be one of the best tracks to show someone who hasn’t dove into his music before. Pair that verse with a really hard beat switch allows GoldLink to flow over a more fast paced beat and he really makes this song a complete journey.
“U Say” feat. Tyler, The Creator & Jay Prince
GoldLink recruits two great features to create a super dope chillhop song. Uptempo percussion with a cool bongo pattern creates a tropical bounce on this track that’s super addicting. All artists run some past relationship tribulations but the overlaying synth and catchy bass line should have everyone dancing to this track. Jay Prince is another dope name to look out for in the future.
Honorable Mentions: “More,” “No Lie” feat. Wizkid, “Tiff Freestyle”
