Dave East is here with the third edition of Karma
On Black Friday of 2017, Dave East dropped the first installment of the Karma series. The late Nipsey Hussle also dropped: No Pressure (mixtape) with Bino Rideaux. Both Dave and Nipsey were a part of the The Marathon Agency, started by Nip, Karen Civil, Steve “Careless,” and Jorge Peniche. Dave was featured on Nipsey’s “Blueprint” track on the EP, and it’s a chill factor to listen back to some of the lyrics Dave spit on the song and Nip’s tremendous efforts to follow through with the goals he had set. In between that three-year gap from then to now, we received Dave East’s debut studio album (Survival) and Nipsey’s major label — and final album — Victory Lap.
“Late” is a word that appears often before the mention of some of the closest people to Dave East’s life. Dating back to his 2015 track “Numb,” East is sadly no stranger to losing people close to him. On Karma 3, East brings his emotions to wax and speaks on the confusion of surviving so much and losing so much — all simultaneously. “So Confusing” details the losses of his close ones.
“I know 100 niggas, my age and older, got their niggas around,” East spits, as he adds new ink to his skin. “Tired of tatting homies, in my mind, I’m bout to lose it.” East has Nipsey and his best friend Kiing Shooter tatted on his back.
Mary J. Blige, Bino Rideaux, Young Dolph, Doe Boy, Popcaan, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Benny The Butcher, Jozzy and Trey Songz are featured on the album.
East stated there’s a distinct difference between his mixtapes and albums. With albums, there’s more of a focus on concept, whereas the mixtapes, he can have fun with his bars and give his fans what he wants, lyrically. But he’ll still have tracks for the ladies, newcomers and even the older fans.
Karma 3 balances all the sides that makes East’s fans love him. The transition of energy from “Handsome” then to “Believe It Or Not” are two prime examples of what brings the tape to equilibrium.
