AOTY 2023
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CRITIC REVIEWS

83
Pretty Much Amazing

Denzel Curry may be a fiercely independent artist with no major label backing, mainstream cosigns, or company sponsorships whatsoever, but he’s unfazed by this, and nonetheless has no trouble imbuing Imperial with exciting, quality hooks and infectious, ear-worm melodies all on his own.

80
AllMusic

While hints of this direction were already present on Nostalgic -- a few subtly catchy hooks and a lyrical dexterity ahead of his peers -- Imperial presents Curry as a figure set to dominate his contemporaries with sheer skill and personality.

80
The Needle Drop

Florida rapper Denzel Curry comes through with some of his most introspective and savage tracks yet on Imperial.

74
HipHopDX

Imperial becomes his first real attempt at taking his regional fame to a national scale. Without question, it stands as his most complete project to date.

UltimateLifeFrm
97

40mins of bangers all around!!!!

Imperial is the 2nd album from American rapper Denzel Curry, released in March 2016. It was recorded throughout 2015-16.

The album features several production credits from well-known names like Ronny J (XXTENTACION, Eminem, 6ix9ine), Bloodpop (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears), SpaceGhostPurrp & Steve Lacy. Denzel also serves as executive producer.

I've considered Denzel Curry the best rapper in the modern scene; his sharp flows and level of energy are something ... read more

ka1
97

Happy Birthday to another goat!!!

This is probably Zel's best album lyrically and soundcloud rap at it's peak. Zel comes off with S tier flows and aggression combined with the eerie trap and melancholic boom bap beats that basically acts as a big middle finger to the corrupt government that is America. Even though I would still rank it behind TA1300, this album is still close to being a match for it. Some of Zel's lyrics really struck deep especially on the song If Tomorrow's Not Here, where ... read more

smallpeeble
91

right back at ya, denz!

faves:
• ULT
• gook
• sick & tired
• knotty head
• if tomorrow's not here

94

A

1) ULT (B)
2) Gook (B)
3) Sick & Tired (B)
4) Knotty Head (B)
5) Me Now (A)
6) Story: No Title (B)
7) This Life (A)
8) Zenith (A)
9) Good Night (A)
10) If Tomorrow's Not Here (A)

_V33_
100

70 —> 100
This might be the most sleeping I’ve been doing on an album, like ever
Maybe with Rockwood escape plan i was before, but like dude this album is fucking fantastic with no skips
Masterpiece

77

Denzel’s delivery and flow are unmatched.

FAV TRACKS: ULT, Knotty Head, Zenith, This Life

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Track List

1ULT
4:07
93
2Gook
2:46
91
3Sick & Tired
4:02
86
4Knotty Head
4:28
feat. Rick Ross
87
5Narcotics
3:31
80
6Story: No Title
2:48
84
7Pure Enough
3:48
81
8This Life
3:27
87
9Zenith
4:02
87
10If Tomorrow's Not Here
5:35
88
Total Length: 38 minutes

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Added on: March 9, 2016