Memphis kingpin Young Dolph took an independent path, but he's a major rap star. Asserting himself as an everyman-turned-superman, Dolph shares Role Model, his new studio album.
Telling the unlikely story of Dolph's success, the album kicks off with "Black Queen," a beautiful introductory track that finds Dolph recounting his difficult childhood and declaring his love for his mother, who ably accompanies him on piano: "Even though you was a crack fiend, momma/You gave birth to a trap king, momma/You gon' always be my trap queen, momma/Damn, I mean you'll always be my black queen, momma."
After the emotional intro, Role Model finds Dolph leveling up, experimenting with new flows and raising his boastful bars to a superhuman level: "Parked the Rari in the crib and came back in a Bentley," says Dolph on "How U Luv It," "Codeine with no sippin' (pour up)/Gelato I'm twistin' (roll up)/Got on too much ice, hard for the bitch to pay attention/Menace just like Dennis/I got racks like Venus (Williams!)."
Featuring appearances from Snoop Dogg, Offset, Key Glock, and Kash Doll, Role Model is Dolph's origin story, establishing him as a symbol of hope to kids in the hood who desperately want to improve their lives.