Quaranta by Danny Brown | Album Review

The Detroit rapper returns to the limelight with newfound introspection on his sixth studio album.

Listen to Quaranta: Apple Music | Spotify

It’s hard not to talk about rap in the 2010s without mentioning Danny Brown. Amidst the Coles and Kendricks, the Detroit native tapped into the genre’s wilder side. Dropping acclaimed albums such as XXX, Old, and Atrocity Exhibition. All fitting into Danny’s twisted world of drugs, sex, and hedonism. His wordplay and notable nasal voice merely added to his repertoire as the rap game’s Joker, the Grinch, or any other pop culture villain comparison. His albums were cautionary tales of his lifestyle, showing off his self-destructive tendencies in its purest form.

Naturally, as life moves on so do people’s habits. Following the launch of his own podcast series in 2022, where Danny would occasionally get candid about his life, he announced back in March that he’d be admitting himself to rehab for alcoholism. Whether it be his rockstar life catching up to him, his age, or otherwise. Admitting that you have a problem and taking the steps to confront those demons is huge, especially for an artist like Danny.

Before his absence, he collaborated with JPEGMafia earlier this year on the incredible Scaring the Hoes joint project, while also teasing the release of his next solo outing Quaranta. Following his stint in rehab, Danny promised that fans would hear a much healthier version of himself compared to his past works, citing Quaranta as a chance to right his wrongs.

Being treated as the spiritual successor to his 2011 breakout XXX, Quaranta sees Danny trade his signature yelpy flow and high energy in favour of a more grounded tone, evidenced by his lyricism and the album’s production. If his last few projects showcased the joys of his debauchery, Quaranta highlights the comedown and the consequences. The end result is an album that perfectly depicts a man who has lived a long grueling life and is finally able to let go of his older ways in exchange for introspection.

Danny’s knack for production has always been eclectic. He’s dived into the world of EDM and dance beats (“Smokin’ & Drinkin’”) Made use of some very obscure samples to create an off-kilter soundscape (“Ain’t It Funny”), and the list goes on. Working with the likes of Paul White, The Alchemist and Quelle Chris among others, Quaranta leans away from Danny’s signature goofiness. The beats here are desolate, creating a sense of murkiness not quite felt on a Danny Brown album before. Tracks like “Jenn’s Terrific Vacation” are sparse and moody with their use of drums and minimal bass.

Soundwise it's a stark contrast from the glitchy frenetics of Scaring the Hoes, which makes it all the more intriguing. It allows Danny to embrace a bit more groove (“Y.B.P.”), tap into some slower R&B elements (“Shakedown”) and occasionally return to his obscene roots (“Tantor”). For a Danny Brown fan like myself, it was a real shock to hear him on these lax-sounding beats, yet it feels like his entire discography was leading up to this. After a decade of noisy, anarchic music at some point, he would dial it back a bit. This also ties into his vocal delivery throughout Quaranta, rarely will you hear his signature yelpy voice as he keeps a deep and serious tone.

As a wordsmith, his songwriting and lyricism are at their peak here on Quaranta. Whether that be his wordplay on songs like “Dark Sword Angel” or the chorus of “Celibate”: (“I used to sell a bit, but I don’t fuck around no more, I’m celibate. Had me trapped in that cell a bit, locked up with some pimps, told me Sell a bitch.”). Danny’s pen game is untouched. The same can be said for his innate storytelling. This time around, and considering the themes surrounding his life, Danny uses the album’s 34 minutes of runtime to leave no stone unturned.

Kicking things off with the title track, Danny reflects on the last 10 years of his career, likening it to a double-edged sword: (“This rap shit done saved my life, and fucked it up at the same time.”). He voices his detest on how the current rap world operates in comparison to how he blew up on “Ain’t My Concern” before he sets his eyes on the changing lifestyle of his hometown Detroit.

With the help of Bruiser Wolf, Danny revisits his childhood on “Y.B.P.” and illustrates his life growing up in a broke/underprivileged city. “Jenn’s Terrific Vacation” sees Danny critique Detroit’s gentrification by the white and rich, dissatisfied by all the change: (“White folks popping out the blue, they done tore that down and made that to a Whole Foods.”). As the album draws to a close, Danny uses the last 5 songs to bare his soul to the fullest and become incredibly introspective.

Danny details the dissolution of a long-term relationship throughout “Down Wit It”. He reveals that his bad habits and infidelity caused the falling out and that this woman truly loved him: (“I had a woman down with mе, but to me, she was down to get mе. Helped me out in this shit, now I’m realizing that I love her.”). “Celibate” sees him reflect more on his past versus where he’s at now with a clearer head. After some quick flexing on “Shakedown” Danny humbles himself in “Hanami”. Contemplating his morality and his status in the rap game. Ending things off on “Bass Jam” Danny once again revisits his childhood and the importance that music had in his household. Showing that at the end of the day what matters most is what will keep us together.

Overall I can say I was thoroughly impressed with Quaranta. In some ways, it feels like Danny’s penultimate album. After a decade of debauchery and self-destruction, Danny would eventually embrace the comedown, feel the impact of his choices, and work to change his life around. Becoming introspective and looking at the world around him as well as himself makes Quaranta a very thorough listen, and will likely open your eyes to his trials and tribulations.

I’m giving Quaranta a solid 9/10. Danny’s never failed to disappoint me when it comes to his solo albums, and his latest project is no exception to the rule. As a longtime fan, it makes me happy to hear him in this new healthier state of mind, and it makes me all the more eager to see what the next 10 years of his career will look like in comparison to his last 10 years.

Final Rating: 9/10

Favourite Tracks: Quaranta, Tantor, Ain’t My Concern, Dark Sword Angel, Jenn’s Terrific Vacation, Down Wit It, Celibate, Shakedown