Album Review: "The Voice of the Heroes" by Lil Baby and Lil Durk

Rappers Lil Baby and Lil Durk released their highly anticipated collaborative album, The Voice of the Heroes, today (June 4). This project has been teased for a while now, and during the wait, fans were fed with non-album tracks such as "Finesse Out The Gang Way" and "Every Chance I Get," and now the full album is here. Does The Voice of the Heroes live up to the hype, or are these voices better left unheard? Let's find out.

1. Voice of the Heroes

This was actually the only pre-release single from the album, and I will admit that it didn't get me that hyped. Baby and Durk deliver standard verses, but they both sound more off-beat than usual. Durk tried to make the hook something catchy, but he fails. I do like the beat, however. This track gets a 6.5/10 from me.

2. 2040

This track has a really good instrumental, and Baby and Durk absolutely spazzed. It's a big improvement over the last track, and I can see myself bumping this whenever. I give this track a solid 7.5/10.

3. Hats Off (ft. Travis Scott)

This track has standard Baby and Durk verses, and the beat really isn't anything special. Travis actually injected some life into the song right at the end, with the thing rappers do where they come in with a verse late in the song and pick back up the energy (an example). I'll give this track a 6/10, because I'm not revisiting it any time soon. It seems like any time there's a big feature on a track, it turns out to be an unmemorable track.

4. Who I Want

Wheezy definitely sprinkled a little bit of his magic over this track with an infections trap instrumental, but it would surely be better suited to artists like Young Thug and Gunna. Baby and Durk just can't work over a beat like this, and they put it to waste. I give this track a 5.5/10.

5. Still Hood

London on da Track definitely has effort making his beats, but he doesn't seem to bring the same magic he used to. As for Baby and Durk, they deliver typical verses, which I don't mind, but I hope they can switch it up before this album goes stale. I'm giving this track a 6/10.

6. Man of my Word

This beat literally sounds just like "The Bigger Picture," except with some 808s added. No originality there. At least Durk delivered a decent hook. However, he and Baby underperformed on this track, and this is a generic Lil Baby beat, anyways. I can see myself revisiting this, but this song gets a 5/10.

7. Still Runnin (ft. Meek Mill)

Baby and Durk had okay verses on this track, but Meek Mill was the main highlight. He opened up the track with undeniable energy, and unfortunately, Baby and Durk couldn't match that. This is a track I will be revisiting a lot, however, so I'm giving it a 7/10.

8. Medical

Durk and Baby had standard verses yet again, and the hook from Durk is extremely lazy. The "I need medical" is not going to cut it for catchiness. Baby also sounds extremely sleepy on this track, as if he needs an Aspirin or two to make it through. This track gets a 4.5/10, and I hope Baby and Durk switch up the pace soon, or there's gonna be some clouds in the sky.

9. How It Feels

I really like this beat on this track, and Baby started it out strong, but he delved into the territory of "generic off-beat flow," before Durk picked it up with a somewhat decent verse. I give this track a low 6/10, because it really could've been a banger.

10. Lying

I actually really like this track. This beat is more suited towards Durk, so he spits some flames on it. Baby also surprisingly comes with a good verse, and the hook is extremely catchy. I give this track a solid 7/10, and this will definitely be on my playlists.

11. Okay

We have yet another surprisingly solid track from Baby and Durk. Both of them delivered strong verses over a hard-hitting instrumental, which suggests that maybe this album is gearing up for a stronger second half. I give this track a 7.5/10.

12. That's Facts

It seems that Wheezy has finally missed with a beat. The instrumental is slow and too generic in the style of Baby's music. Other than that, Baby and Durk deliver good verses, but you can't bop to this song at all. I give it a 5/10.

13. Please

This track has good rapping from Baby and Durk for sure, but the beat is the polar opposite. The hook is also not that good, and it's clear that Baby can NOT sing. I give this track a 6/10, because at least both of them tried.

14. Up The Side (ft. Young Thug)

Jesus Christ, Thugger is GARBAGE on this track. Usually, he does good on a beat like this, but this time around, he sounds uninspired. Baby and Durk also deliver lazy verses, and Wheezy's instrumental is the only good part about this track. I give it a 4.5/10.

15. If You Want To

I really think Baby and Durk have some decent bars on this track. The beat isn't anything special, but the two do deliver. However, it still isn't anything memorable, but it is a good song, so I give it a 7/10.

16. Rich Off Pain (ft. Rod Wave)

Although Baby and Durk have pretty good verses, Rod Wave is the highlight of the track. He slides on the beat and spreads some of his magic over the song. I can see myself listening to this over and over, especially because of the hook, so I'm giving it an 8/10.

17. Make It Out

I would appreciate this track if it was at the beginning of the album, but I've heard WAY too many songs like this on this project to enjoy it that much. Too bad that the beat is really good. I give this track a 5.5/10.

18. Bruised Up

This track has a good hook and okay verses from Baby and Durk, but it's really, really forgettable. I was hoping the album would do a 180 and pick up the pace at the end, but I guess not. Still, I'm giving this track a 6.5/10.

FINAL RATING: 6.1/10

BEST TRACK: Rich Off Pain (ft. Rod Wave)

WORST TRACK: Up The Side (ft. Young Thug)

SUMMARY:

The Voice of the Heroes is a disappointing effort, to say the least. Although I didn't have huge expectations coming into the album, it was still underwhelming. There were a few tracks with the potential to be big hits, but the album was a big miss overall. Baby and Durk have proved that they can make good tracks together, but it may be better to keep their chemistry in smaller amounts, because all this album proved was that you need substance behind the struggle, and pen game behind the pain.