Isaiah Rashad's New Album 'It's Been Awful' and the Weight of Confession

Isaiah Rashad, a rapper from Chattanooga, Tennessee, signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (T.D.E.), released his third or fourth album 'It's Been Awful' in 2024, debuting at No. 18 on the Billboard chart. The album follows a five-year hiatus marked by personal turmoil, including leaked videos in 2022 that appeared to show him having sex with men, leading him to publicly identify as bisexual. Rashad, now 35, has struggled with addiction, including methamphetamine and cocaine, and has crashed multiple cars in suicide attempts. He is currently sober (cannabis-friendly) and lives in California with his autistic son and younger brother Timothy Hakeem Vance (Keem the Cipher), who co-produced half the album. The album features collaborations with Dominic Fike on 'Cameras' and SZA on 'Boy in Red', the latter inspired by girl in red and Prince. Rashad's introspective style, influenced by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast, contrasts with the rowdy energy of Gen Z hip-hop. T.D.E. president Anthony (Moosa) Tiffith, Jr. hopes 'Boy in Red' can be a breakthrough, noting the label's patience. Rashad's promotional events included a meet-and-greet on Broadway in New York and a free performance at Elsewhere in Bushwick, Brooklyn. He plans to tour later in 2024 and intends to stop smoking cannabis to strengthen his lungs.