Detroit, Michigan rapper & Hustle By Any Means Records founder Detroit YB returning after 4 years to release his 3rd studio LP. Breaking out by dropping the 3:13& The Heart of My City EPs back-to-back almost a decade ago already, he would go on to follow it up with the full-length debut Hustle SZN & the sophomore effort caught himself finding Beauty in the Struggle. 4Closure was a great EP too & he’s back after so long to talk about him turning Losses 2 Lessons calling to make Jesus great again.
After the titular intro, the first song “A Talk with Jesus” starts up with a ghostly trap opener talking about desiring to connect with people on higher measures whereas “Mark 836” asks what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul. “Home Run” reflects on going from being to the backseat of the ride to the front & after the “Spoken Pain” interlude, “Adopted Pain” talks about being used to the style of living he’s accustomed to.
“Back Against the Wall” continues by proclaiming himself to be the one to call whenever anyone needs help making movement without breaking laws while “Aesthetics” talks about biters stealing his flow only to blow it because they can’t walk in his shoes. “The Vessel” featuring Fenesse the World finds the 2 teaming up to advise know where you’re going when leaving above the surface while “Toxic Whirlwind” talks about being meant to part ways with an ex.
After the “James 44” interlude, “Compromised” kicks off the 2nd half of the album by addressing his upbringings for almost 3 minutes whether it be starting out beatboxing or knocking someone up resulting in abortion while “13th Round” meshes some bells & hi-hats to talk about being in a whole different fight now. “Taking Up Space” works in some pianos & strings to buy himself peace after the pain he’s experienced while “Heaven Worth It” talks about those thinking like snakes still being serpents.
“Word Play” featuring Phenell puts their pens to the test seeing whose wordplay is the strongest while “Trip 2 Belize” takes a moment to think all by himself. After the “T.B.U.” interlude, “Thinking Bout U” recalls the first time he met his soulmate feeling like magic while “Neva Gona Lose” talks about not catching any Ls. “Make Things Right” soulfully wraps things up promising he’d fix things if he had his way.
It’s been quite some time since Detroit YB has had an entire body of work by himself excluding the Forever Soulo collaborative project with 1Way Monte over 21 months ago, but his transformation of Losses 2 Lessons breaks down his personal growth since the current decade nears the end of the halfway point taking us through the point of view of God himself providing tons of positive affirmations full of problem solving & healing.
Score: 9/10
