Prima Donna

Vince Staples - Prima Donna
Critic Score
Based on 13 reviews
User Score
Based on 899 ratings
2016 Rank: #431
Liked by 63 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

95
Paste

What clinches this EP is its audacity. In an era of hyper-public black death, Vince Staples builds his case against our society not by detailing how these deaths occur, but by describing a tragic life, one that’s so unsatisfying that death is its zenith.

83
Pretty Much Amazing

Dude’s got unlimited weapons in his arsenal, and every single outing seems to showcase another thing or two we didn’t know he was capable of before.

83
Entertainment Weekly

On his brief new EP, Prima Donna, Staples continues to refine his musical aesthetic, while honing his already-sharp lyricism.

80
Pitchfork

Pushing his versatility, ear for production, and lyricism in new directions, Vince Staples' hot streak continues.

80
AllMusic

Prima Donna is an essential snapshot of 2016 that bears witness to the evolution of an artist coming into his own with an unflinching, socially conscious perspective.

80
SPIN

Even though it’s a brisk seven songs, it lingers as the best pieces of writing tend to do.

80
HipHopDX

In a climate that’s indifferent if not completely averse towards innovation and forward thinking, Vince Staples is poised, unassuming and focused on leaving an indelible mark. Having gone so far as to disavow his past conventional modules that fans swoon over, Prima Donna is his most challenging work to date.

80
Exclaim!

Staples approaches the latest chapters of his story on Prima Donna in bleak fashion, his pen and delivery both as sharp as ever.

80
XXL

Vince has always had a foot in the realm of experimental sound but Prima Donna sounds like his cannonball into that sonic space.

80
Slant Magazine

Even as the varying and experimental production choices shift radically, Staples's lyrics remain focused on the gangbanging, violence, and poverty of his oppressive youth.

80
NOW Magazine

Prima Donna bristles with paranoia, anxiety, depression and anger about racism, violence, the music industry and his own psychological state.

70
Rolling Stone

The music is as bleep-y as it is banging (James Blake produces on two tracks) and touchstones include Andre 3000, James Joyce, Leonardo DiVinci and Jay Gatsby.

70
The Needle Drop
Cali rapper Vince Staples returns with a solid EP featuring stone cold flows and creative instrumentals.
80

nigga your head too big

TheSoftBulletin
83

that gunshot spooked me

shabrwng
80

that gunshot scared the hell out of me oh my gawd

VinceSupporter
83

With little room for error vince does a damn good job.

1. War Ready 10/10 πŸ‘‘
2. Smile 6.5/10 ❌
3. Loco 9/10 πŸ₯‰
4. Prima Donna 7.5/10
5. Pimp Hand 8/10
6. Big Time 9/10 πŸ₯ˆ

mongbobby
65

Too much food for thought lookin ass.

charlottebrig
70

I put off listening to this album for like a year after getting into vince staples because the cover creeps me out lol

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Track List

1Let It Shine
0:41
54
2War Ready
2:35
76
3Smile
4:20
68
4Loco
4:18
feat. Kilo Kish
76
5Prima Donna
3:30
80
6Pimp Hand
2:49
73
7Big Time
3:31
74
Total Length: 21 minutes

Year End Lists

#10/Salon
#13/Passion of the Weiss
#42/Pitchfork
#76/Noisey
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Added on: August 15, 2016