Cilvia Demo
(2014)“A Southern coming-of-age tape that found a cult following”
Billed as an EP but long enough to play like an album, Cilvia Demo introduced Rashad's unhurried flow and his mix of Southern bounce, jazz and soul. Production from the Antydote, Farhot, Chris Calor, D. Sanders and Sounwave stays warm and hazy, and SZA, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock fit in naturally. Critics praised its cohesion and his thoughtful writing, and Metacritic's 82 signaled universal acclaim.
Why it ranks here
Billed as an EP but long enough to play like an album, Cilvia Demo introduced Rashad's unhurried flow and his mix of Southern bounce, jazz and soul. Production from the Antydote, Farhot, Chris Calor, D. Sanders and Sounwave stays warm and hazy, and SZA, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock fit in naturally. Critics praised its cohesion and his thoughtful writing, and Metacritic's 82 signaled universal acclaim.
Context
His debut release on Top Dawg Entertainment, issued January 28, 2014; it debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard 200 and earned him a spot in that year's XXL Freshman Class.
Highlights
- Hereditary
- Webbie Flow (U Like)
- Ronnie Drake
- Heavenly Father
- Shot You Down (Remix)
Weak Spots
- HipHopDX noted it lacks some depth
- Fourteen tracks of similar tempo can blur together
Production
The Antydote · Farhot · Chris Calor · D. Sanders · Sounwave
Read our full Cilvia Demo review →
Influence
Pitchfork later placed it at No. 35 on its list of the 50 best rap mixtapes of the millennium, even though it was billed as an EP.
Replay Value
Very high — the record his fans keep returning to.