The follow-up to a comparatively unknown 2019 EP that was released long before the New York MC’s meteoric climb to stardom is Fivio Foreign’s latest project, Pain & Love 2. Fivio gained some notoriety in 2021 following a standout performance on Kanye West’s Donda; two years later, Ye paid it forward with Fivio’s big label debut, solidifying the rapper’s status as a legitimate force. Pete Davidson, the ex-wife of Kanye West, was threatened by Mr. West using his Fivio feature “City of Gods,” saying, “This afternoon, a hundred goons pullin’ up to SNL/ When I pull up, it’s dead on arrival.” This is undoubtedly part of the reason. However, Fivio also positioned himself as a link between the younger generation of New York and its ancient heritage.
He attempts to further this status on Pain & Love 2, but the outcomes are not entirely satisfactory. As a trench rapper willing to speak on the harsh realities of life on the corner in New York City, Fivio Foreign first gained notoriety. In Pain & Love 2, Fivio excels at exploring the implications of reducing the noise in his life, enlarging his social circle, and concentrating on his work. The MC raps, “Who knew if I told ’em n-ggas that I need ’em and they wouldn’t really care?” in the skittering, explosive album opener. On Pain & Love 2, he makes an effort to advance this status, but the results are not totally satisfying. Fivio Foreign originally rose to fame as a trench rapper, unafraid to talk about the hard reality of living on a New York City corner. Fivio does a great job in Pain & Love 2 of examining the effects of cutting back on distractions, expanding his social network, and focusing on his career. In the skittering, explosive album opening, the MC raps, “Who knew if I told ’em n-ggas that I need ’em and they wouldn’t really care?” Fivio Foreign frequently showcases all the ways in which he has developed as a rapper, which makes these boring moments all the more annoying.
He queues up the kind of turn-up jam that the Philadelphia icon has come to be synonymous with on the Meek Mill-assisted “Same 24,” going bar for bar with one of the biggest names in rap. The piano is both inspirational and mournful, as the soul sample simmers. In less capable hands, the R&B-lite rhythm would fall apart, but Fivio makes good use of the minimalism. He deliberately incorporates historical context and insightful commentary into his narrative, demonstrating his real introspection and reflection on his past, present, and future. He spits, “How do I become wealthy from a skill I taught myself? I remember the days when I couldn’t even buy this belt. I didn’t have the best drip, but I styled it well.” When Fivio Foreign is not interested in flaunting his newfound fortune, but instead uses it to highlight how far he has come since the first edition of Pain & Lov, that is when he is at his best.
English