Don Toliver heats up with Release of "Life Of A Don"
Don Toliver was Houston’s best kept secret around 2018. Travis Scott was already on top of the world, Megan Thee Stallion was already riding the wave of hits such as "Big Ole Freak” and “Freak Nasty”, and established Houston acts such as Maxo Kream and Sauce Walka were just furthering their status in the city with more quality bodies of work.
During all that, Don Toliver snuck out this great body of work in Donny Womack, he (along with other talented artists such as Brent Faiyaz) was one of those artists that you would play in the whip to let those in the car know that you had an elite taste in music. Since catching the attention of Travis Scott and signing with Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records, Don Toliver has elevated his career each year. From Fast & Furious movie syncs to having one of the biggest songs 2020 in “Lemonade”, he’s become one of the biggest artists in the world since many of us first caught wind of him in 2018.
What makes Don Toliver so enjoyable is his distinct voice, he has a rift in his voice when harmonizing that sounds nothing like anyone in the game. Much like his Cactus Jack brother Travis Scott, he’s got an incredible ear for production. Many of the songs on Life of A Don sound extremely cinematic, it feels like an experience (sounds cliche but it’s true).
“Way Bigger” feels like it should be the soundtrack to some larger than life chase in a Fast & Furious movie. The production is dark, eery, and impactful. It really describes the feeling of nightlife in Houston, TX. Drake & 40 are largely responsible for the gloomy and dark production that now represents the sound of music coming from Toronto.. in the same way, the sound that Don Toliver and Travis Scott have developed has been synonymous with the city of Houston.
No one song encapsulates this better than “Swangin’ on Westheimer”, an ode to one of the most iconic streets in Houston, TX. At Don Toliver’s best, he’s capable of making music that encourages you to drink 15 shots of Casamigos (Track 10: Get Throwed) and then immediately drift on into space while looking at the Houston skyline on songs such as “Swangin’ On Westheimer” and “Crossfaded”. This album is a time capsule to reflect the type of life twenty-seven year old Don Toliver is living.
Whether it be relationship ups and downs, vices, and spontaneous adventures with Travis Scott; Don Toliver is living the type of life fitting for someone named Don. This project should be in album of the year contention. Np gimmicks needed, just great music. Don Toliver makes the city look good.
Favorite Tracks: “Flocky Flocky”, “Swangin’ On Westheimer”, “Crossfaded”