GoldLink Releases Sophomore Album ‘Diaspora’

In 2017 GoldLink released his first studio album, At What Cost. The album was heavily influenced by his Washington D.C. roots and told the story of his origin. Since then, fans and critics alike were begging for a follow-up album and last month GoldLink finally delivered, releasing Diaspora. While the first album was primarily about his own life, Diaspora is inspired by cultures from around the world and tells a story of pain, freedom, and growth. The album is flawless and his effortlessly composed memoirs give a new meaning to the genre of alternative rap as a whole. 

One of the most breathtaking aspects of Diaspora is the musical paradox that GoldLink portrays in each song. In “Maniac” his voice has a subtle flow that contradicts the harsh reality in his lyrics and in songs such as “Zulu Screams,” featuring artists Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly, there’s a stark contrast between sleek production and GoldLink’s underground roots and sounds. Diaspora is full of incredible collaborations from artists such as Khalid, Pusha T, Tyler, the Creator, and WizKid. Each artist is a critical character in the story of Diaspora and adds their own unique twist to GoldLink’s original style. “More” is by far one of my favorite songs on the album which features afrobeat vocalist, Lola Rae. GoldLink’s R&B influences are especially apparent in songs like “More” and his voice goes exceptionally well with the lo-fi, chill aesthetic that dominates the track. Yet another example of the paradoxical elements in Diaspora is “Cokewhite” featuring Pusha T. The song is unapologetic and quite literally holds nothing back. 
Right when you feel comfortable with Diaspora, GoldLink changes the direction and never lets the listener settle. It’s a truly revolutionary album that incorporates music from around the world, while still maintaining GoldLink’s signature style. You will definitely want to listen to the entirety of this album because Goldlink has truly mastered the art of complexity and individualism in every song. 

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