Self-Released
Venus Da Kid confessed on Youtube’s ‘Views From The Arch’ series last year to have been making music for around seven years, a statement that becomes deeply impressive when you learn he is just seventeen. DREAMS: The Mixtape of Life is his first full-length affair after releasing a string of impressive singles across 2022, and it is a record of stunning maturity, not afraid to tackle heavy topics.
The opener, ‘Intro/12 Parsecs Away From Life’, sets the tone, Venus rapping, “Have you ever seen a brother in a casket never to be seen again”, referencing the death of his brother. The track has a beautiful vintage aesthetic, the nostalgic tone blending with horn-tinged beats and a slight crackle, Venus rapping candidly about mental health and his hardships before encouraging you to self-love; “Keep shining, remain you/Get your f*****g diamonds”. ‘Bring Love’ sees Venus tackle toxic masculinity, encouraging you to “Let the emotions flow/let the emotions grow”, while preaching the song’s title.
‘Wanted Me To Change’ sees Venus change things up, with powerful beats backing his message to be “the best MC of the decade”, showing confidence to match his vulnerability. ‘Clown N-Words’ returns to a more jazzy sound, with its twinkling piano and quiet hi-hat shimmering in the background, Venus singing, “I’m running away from my pain”, acknowledging the difficulties in dealing with trauma. ‘Factz of Life’ is a similarly jazzy affair, Venus’s laid-back mellow delivery floating over the instrumentation.
‘God I’m Sorry’, one of the album’s previously released singles, sees Venus conversing with God; it’s a beautifully melodic, confessional track. The track is a prime example of Venus’s ability to harness his emotions musically, expressing his trauma with startling maturity while accepting his past imperfections. ‘Apartheid’ is another of last year’s singles, recorded in the wake of 14-year-old Emmett Till’s death; it is a fantastically powerful takedown of the government and the police, criticising their role in America’s racial inequality in the past and present. The closing track, ‘Clouded’, is a hazy, semi-improvised, self-confessed “manifestation piece” and a reflection of Venus’s growth.
Clocking in at under twenty-five minutes is a condensed effort but one that packs a serious punch. It has a lovely, DIY, vintage feel to it, Venus showing he has production skills to match his mellow flow and allow space for his contemplations to shine through. It’s an excellent debut, tackling brave topics with a wisdom that belies his years. The only way is up for this young star.