SLEEPY Asserts His Identity
TS Entertainment rapper SLEEPY took over two years to release an extensive album after his debut single, “Cool Night,” in 2015, and only released singles after that. Sure, SLEEPY still put out great music between 2015 and 2018—notably, the incredible “Body Lotion” back in 2016—but none of it managed to give us any idea of what SLEEPY could really bring as a rapper.
Thus, his first mini-album, released on March 2, is fittingly titled Identity, with a title track named “ID.” Through the six tracks of the release, the rapper confidently demonstrates his flow, his musical style, and his greatest assets as a performer—or, in other words, showcases his identity.
The album is solidly anchored in electro-influenced R&B, first explored through the short intro “Butterfly,” before blooming fully in the following song, “ID.” The title track is bright, funky, wonderfully catchy, and has that characteristic groove typical of GRAY’s production. Once the beat kicks in at the chorus, we can’t help but dance along to the melody—and that happy vibe is clearly visible in the music video, with its bright purple background and everyone’s cheerful dancing. Nice touch: the Instagram IDs of the various celebrities popping up during the video, which include EXID’s LE and rapper Dindin.
Each of the remaining tracks on Identity are worth checking out—though the tracks share a similarity in sound, with their common use of electro elements, they also remain unique enough to offer variety on the album and deliver an impressive amount of features. “Do Not Disturb” attracts the ear from the first listen with its loud, groovy bass line and chill melody. Muzie, Don Mills, and pH-1 all have a verse in the song, and while that makes for nice variety, we get a little bummed out that SLEEPY doesn’t have much of the spotlight in the three and a half minutes of the song.
Out of the tracks, however, “Am I For Real” is arguably the second best, right after “ID.” It’s an honest song, one with compelling, personal lyrics. Speaking of depression, anxiety, and the harshness of a world ruled by money, “Am I For Real” offers a nice break from the rest of the album, which doesn’t deal with such heavy topics. B.A.P‘s Yongguk and Nucksal also feature on the song, sharing their own struggles in their verses, turning the song into a space for both the artists and the listener to simply let go of their shared burdens.
Overall, Identity is a solid mini-album. Its electro and pop-leaning sound will attract the casual listener, just as much as the hip-hop lover will enjoy the lyrical verses and musicality of SLEEPY’s flow.