Denzel Curry might be my favorite artist of all time. He has never had a bad album, he has been consistently making music for over ten years, he explores a variety of styles, and he genuinely seems like a great guy. Everybody remembers his hit single "Ultimate" from 2016, but I was formally introduced to Denzel back in 2021 when I first heard the single "SUMO | ZUMO." It was so raw and full of energy that I was immediately drawn to his style and wanted to hear more from him. I gave the 2018 album TA13OO a full listen, and I loved every song. So much so, in fact, that every single track had, at one point, been my favorite song. These include "VENGEANCE | VENGEANCE," "CASH MANIAC | CAZH MAN1AC," and "BLACK METAL TERRORIST | 13 M T."
I also listened to his album Imperial (2016), and while it was not on the same level as TA13OO, it was a stellar album nonetheless. Standout tracks for me were "ULT," "Zenith," "Story: No Title," and "Good Night." After that, I moved on to ZUU (2019) and UNLOCKED (2020), two projects that further showcased his versatility. My favorite tracks from these albums include "BIRDZ," "AUTOMATIC," "P.A.T.," "Take_it_Backv2," and "DIET_."
While I could sit here and talk about Denzel's discography and my favorite tracks, it would not do justice to how much I respect his artistry and character. One of my favorite qualities about Denzel is his consistency. Coming from Florida and gaining recognition through SoundCloud, he started his career rapping over low-quality cloud-rap beats. As he gained access to better sound equipment, his production became sharper, and this was evident in Imperial. On TA13OO, he experimented with more melodic and atmospheric beats, especially in the first half of the album. He paid homage to his hometown, Carol City, on ZUU and honored the South’s legacy in hip-hop, with even the album cover resembling a classic '90s rap CD. Denzel has effortlessly adapted to different sounds. From rapping over boom bap beats on UNLOCKED, jazz-infused instrumentals on Melt My Eyez See Your Future, and gritty, raw mixtape-style production on King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2, Denzel does it all. No matter the sound, he has always maintained the same raw, hungry energy that he had as a 17 year old coming up in Carol City. His lyrics have always been layered with deeper meaning, even in his early work, proving that his artistry extends beyond just his delivery.
In 2016, Denzel was part of the now-legendary XXL Freshman Freestyle, alongside Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black. That video became a cultural moment, changing the rap landscape and solidifying the careers of those involved. While all of these artists have gone on to mainstream success, Denzel has remained somewhat of an outlier. I suspect this is because he has stayed independent from major labels, choosing to maintain creative control over his music rather than conforming to industry trends. While this may have limited his commercial reach, it has solidified his reputation as an artist with integrity, consistently delivering high-quality music that evolves with each project.
Denzel Curry's influence on rap is undeniable. Few artists can seamlessly blend the essence of old-school and new-age hip-hop, but Denzel has mastered this balance. Most recently, on King of the Mischievous South (the deluxe edition of Vol. 2), he both honors the pioneers who paved the way and embraces the next generation of rap. He interpolates Waka Flocka Flame’s 2010 hit "Hard in Da Paint" and features legendary artists like Project Pat and Juicy J, while also showcasing rising talents such as LAZER DIM 700, Bktherula, 454, and Kenny Mason.
Denzel Curry continues to push boundaries while staying true to his roots, proving that artistic growth does not require sacrificing authenticity. His dedication to his craft, his ability to adapt, and his fearless approach to experimentation are why he stands out as one of the most exciting artists of his generation.
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