DOTWAV is here with the “This Just Ain’t Fun Anymore” LP

Let me just open this article by saying I was thoroughly satisfied listening to this album from beginning to end. Being a 90s kid and growing up on the Golden Era of Hip-Hop and Rap, this project took me back to that timeframe while at the same time being refreshed with modern styles. I personally was big on rap groups like Jurassic 5 (personal all-time favorite), Wu-Tang, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, etc. because I always appreciated the coordination in bringing different styles together to make something unique, especially in Rap. The way you can go back and forth with another rapper, transition between verses, diverse lyrical deliveries, and harmonizing hooks and punchlines make for a more interesting and dynamic song.

If you appreciate music in that form the way I do, then you’d be happy to learn that DOTWAV from Las Vegas, NV is here and in a big way. They are a music and creative collective pushing the boundaries of Hip-Hop culture with a nostalgic yet modern and refreshing sound. Watching them move and navigate music and culture via their social media is inspiring in the sense of getting together with your friends and creating something you feel is dope.

Their project “This Just Ain’t Fun Anymore,” is a 14-track album diverse with different styles, tempos, sounds, and feels brought together with great production and lyricism. In this project, you can really get a sense of not just their talent, but their brotherhood as a collective. From this album, you get a really good understanding of the group because of how unapologetic they are when it comes to where they came from, what they believe in, and what they value. Here’s a quick-hit review of each track:

• Track 1 – Prayer
  • They open the project with an authentic feel into the group by gathering its members for a genuine prayer that highlights their values, like an army before going out for battle. I thought this was a great touch in introducing yourself to new listeners.
• Track 2 – OOF
  • “Don’t you get it, we the wave, so there’s always a flood” – Bar!
  • Hints of tagalog rap were seamless and I appreciate them for putting on for the Filipino culture
  • This track is reminiscent of Wu-Tang’s style of showmanship and sound
• Track 3 – Stack It Up
  • Hard! The deep bass and background vocal makes you want to lift your chin and puff your chest out.
  • The group is constantly and unapologetically emphasizing brotherhood and loyalty in the sense of “Fuck everyone. I’m just about me and the crew.”
  • The hook says it all “Banging on the door. Fuck the keys to the city. We still comin in. Got the crew here with me.”
• Track 4 – Writers Anonymous
  • The fellas share a sense of vulnerability in this track that speaks like a prayer but also as a message to the masses.
  • “Just because you show more doesn’t mean you know more” – this bar hits in its relevance to most people’s perspective on social media.
  • This track highlights the artistry in their lyricism and writing style. – “Don’t make me give up wanting to live up to my potential. Gifting me with a pencil, so writing with it’s essential. I’mma act surprises but I know none of it is accidental.”
• Track 5 – Durango
  • My personal favorite track from the whole album because the beat is dope and the group is in their pocket when it comes to delivery and lyricism.
  • The classic Kanye West style production on this track is a great touch to the overall album because it shows the style range that the group is capable of.
  • Reminiscent of the sound and feel of “Luchini aka This Is It” by Camp Lo. Would be a great blend for those 2 tracks to mix (DJ’s take note!).
• Track 6 – Maestro
  • Reminiscent of a classic, “Hay” by Crucial Conflict.
• Track 7 – Grandmama
  • DOTWAV delivered on what could be an anthem for a sports (specifically basketball) commercial. High energy track to get you hyped for competition.
  • In my opinion, because of its high energy, this track is worthy of being a single and part of the group’s onstage setlist.
  • This track is also one for the dance crews that fit aggressive styles.
• Track 8 – Nails
  • “Nails to a coffin. Nails to a cross. Got dirt on my nails, now I’m sorry for your loss.”
  • The track is for the in-depth listeners. The production and lyrics paint a vivid picture of the old western country with the metaphor of the guys as executioners putting their haters on crosses and in coffins.
  • The track ends with the sample singing “I don’t wanna die” resembling their enemies begging for the lives. — This track cuts deep (pun intended).
• Track 9 – Whatever U Want
  • B-Boys & B-Girls will get up for this one. The high energy boom bap drums never fail to bring out the dancers in a crowd.
  • Tracks like this one make it clear as to what music DOTWAV was brought up on and would happy to hear that they’re living up to those roots.
• Track 10 – High Advisory
  • If you ever wondered how DOTWAV would sound on a Neptunes beat, then wonder no more. Here it is on the “Mr. Me Too” sample by Clipse. Although “Mr. Me Too” is a classic, DOTWAV held up their raps and made this track their own. Would’ve been nice to have those Pharrell adlibs though.
• Track 11 – Fresh New Chucks
  • This track has a Converse commercial written all over it. It embodies the word “Classic” in every sense of the word. Classic sound, classic style, and classic music to conceptualize a classic sneaker.
  • This is another personal favorite from the project. As a Chucks consumer myself, DOTWAV has done us proud.
• Track 12 – Zip Pack
  • I dig the reference to the Zippy’s (Hawaiian Restaurant) plate lunch.
  • All the verses were solid but the first verse was my favorite part in the way it told a story of being disappointed by Vegas nightlife to leaving the city and going back to the Bay Area “like Oakland Raiders” (referencing the team moving from Oakland to Las Vegas).
• Track 13 – Wave
  • This track would be a fun one to watch live and would be the ideal closer for DOTWAV’s performance setlist because “It’s time for us to ‘wave goodbye’.”
  • From the 2nd verse, I like the reference of their dedication to the loyalty of their brotherhood and cutting ties with anything that keeps the crew from winning.
• Track 14 – Neglected
  • This track explains the origin of the album title which appears to be a quote from a detachment from the group. — “When it was time to make things right, ya’ll chose left.”
  • Based on the lyrics, the storytelling in this closing track carries a lot of emotion and bad blood.
  • To name the whole project based on this detachment speaks volumes on the pain and disappointment this group went through during this situation, hence the title “Neglected”.
  • “The only favor that I ask, don’t speak on us, cause the rebuttal that I have, I’mma speak on trust…. Your girl already got kids, why she raising a boy” — Ouch!

Pros:

• Better than solid writing and delivery.
• Great variety in styles and feels between every track.
• Members compliment each other very well.
• For a project that involved multiple members, this one seemed very well balanced and you really hear them as a group as opposed to any specific member.
• This project would be really appreciated by underground Hip-Hop fans of all ages. They’ve embodied timeless elements of Hip-Hop thats nostalgic yet relevant in today’s music landscape.
• 5-7 out of the 14 tracks would likely be on my regular streaming rotation.

Cons:

• This is not a con, but something that I would like to see more of is in-depth storytelling. The fellas already proved they can deliver and hit us with dope punchlines, but let’s see if they can give us the same impact with telling a story.

This project overall was well put together and a great listen. It’s a great balance of tracks for casual and in-depth listening. Highly recommend for any Hip-Hop fan. Shoutout to DOTWAV and their whole team and community in moving the way they do and impacting the culture of music. The Hip-Hop landscape really needs it.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.