Released: 2015

Genres: Trap, Southern Hip-Hop, Neo-Psychedelia, Pop Rap

The Musiquarium’s Rodeo Review Score: 9 out of 10

After several singles, mixtapes and even contributing production on Kanye West’s 2013 masterpiece Yeezus, Travis Scott was on the path to becoming a major player in rap, as well as becoming a figurehead of the trap subgenre.

A mysterious and ominous opener, Pornography, starts with a spoken word introduction from Scott, establishing the dark but sensual tone of the album. Oh My Dis Side, 3500 and 90210 are all certified bangers worthy of the genre’s attention. Kanye West appears on the devilishly-titled Piss on Your Grave (a song intended for a scrapped Yeezus sequel). Pray 4 Love is a ballad featuring The Weeknd, providing a change of pace from the more hardcore songs here. Wasted uses flute samples, which have become synonymous with trap.

Like Kanye West, Travis Scott can take an artist that I would typically never listen to (Justin Bieber in this case) and make them enjoyable for a verse, such as on the drunken ramblings of Maria I’m Drunk. Flying High is one of the more carefree and fun songs here, evoking the playful spirit of Parliament-Funkadelic. Apple Pie concludes the album with piano chords and a spoken-word section that provides a thematic bookend to Rodeo.

Rodeo is a dark, southern-fried masterpiece and one of the best and most cocksure debuts in recent years, with Travis Scott sounding absolutely assured of his musical vision. Scott’s Kanye West influences are apparent, but he still distinguishes himself from his mentor.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Travis Scott on Discogs.

Back to the 2015 Album Guide or the Travis Scott Reviews pages.

Written by Brett Nippard