Struggle Before Glory Explained

Struggle Before Glory
Type:studio
Artist:Smoke Dawg
Cover:StruggleBeforeGlory.jpg
Released:November 30, 2018
Recorded:2016–2018
Length:33:00

Struggle Before Glory is the lone studio album by Canadian rapper Smoke Dawg. The album received an 8/10 rating by Exclaim!.

Background

Smoke Dawg announced that his debut studio album Struggle Before Glory is due to be released later in the year. However, before the album was officially released, he was shot and killed on June 30, 2018 in front of a nightclub in downtown Toronto.[1] The lead single of the album "No Discussion" featured AJ Tracey and was produced by Murda Beatz. It was released a month after his death on August 13, 2018.[2] Smoke Dawg's posthumous album Struggle Before Glory was released on November 29, 2018.[3] The album features from the likes of Toronto artists Puffy L'z, Jimmy Prime, Jay Whiss and Safe, as well as UK artists Fredo, AJ Tracey and Giggs.[4] Smoke Dawg's younger brother, Young Smoke, provided a tribute on the outro of the album.[5]

Critical reception

The album was rated 8/10 by Exclaim!.[6] The album was described as a "sum up of the late rapper's legacy".[7] [8] [9] Aron A. of HotNewHipHop described the album as a sum up of the legacy of one of the hottest rappers who was emerging from Toronto in the past few years.

Track listing

  1. LLSD 2:01
  2. Automatic 3:28
  3. Three of a Kind (featuring Fredo & Jay Critch) 3:57
  4. Fountain 1:53
  5. Bricks (featuring Giggs) 3:03
  6. Snow 2:51
  7. No Discussion (featuring AJ Tracey) 3:01
  8. These Games (featuring Jay Whiss & Safe) 2:41
  9. SB4G Interlude 1:09
  10. YND (featuring Safe & Jimmy Prime) 4:13
  11. That's a Lot (featuring Puffy L'z) 2:44
  12. Dead to Me 3:22
  13. Smokey World (Bonus Track) Young Smoke 2:06

Notes and References

  1. News: The Canadian Press . The Canadian Press . Toronto police identify rapper Smoke Dawg as one of two killed in shooting . 11 July 2018 . . 3 July 2018 . en.
  2. Web site: Smoke Dawg Releases Posthumous Single "No Discussion" Video Featuring AJ Tracey. HYPEBEAST. 14 August 2018.
  3. Web site: Stream Smoke Dawg's Posthumous Project "Struggle Before Glory" Ft. Giggs, Jay Critch & More. HotNewHipHop. 30 November 2018.
  4. Web site: Hear Smoke Dawg's Posthumous 'Struggle Before Glory' LP.
  5. Web site: Young Smoke Proves It's "Smokey World" in New Video. Complex.
  6. Web site: Smoke Dawg Struggle Before Glory. exclaim.ca.
  7. Web site: Smoke Dawg Struggle Before Glory.
  8. Web site: Music News Digest, Aug. 20, 2018. August 20, 2018. FYIMusicNews.
  9. Web site: Listen to Smoke Dawg's Posthumous Album 'Struggle Before Glory'. Sharine. Taylor. December 3, 2018.