Lil Pump, who has never been a particularly minimalistic rapper, has just followed up his self-titled debut with his sophomore album, “Harverd Dropout.” The album’s name is a cheeky reference to the rumour (joke) that Pump attended Harvard, only to drop out to save the rap industry.

The rumour is certainly stupid, and the songs of the album are equally ridiculous. And that’s the main appeal of the “Harverd Dropout.” All of the songs have an absurd amount of sheer depravity to it, yet each song has such a punchy beat and all of the lyrics are delivered in such a rapid fire, comedic timing that none of the lyrics, whether it’s about adultery, or drug addiction, are taken seriously.

In fact, the depravity is the main selling point of “Harverd Dropout.” Pump makes it clear that he knows full well how ridiculous his songs are and how ridiculous he as a person is to the public.

Many of these songs take liberty in spewing out the most laughable nonsense: one line from “ION” goes “I don’t need you; I don’t need school; I pop beans; I don’t eat food.” Or the song “Drop Out” that goes “Drop out then I got rich; drop out then I put a Patek on my wrist.” Or the song “Be Like Me,” where Pump claims that he’s a millionaire and a role model to kids everywhere. The idea that Pump is the icon that kids should emulate is certainly dangerous, yet the song makes it out to be an over-the-top joke.

Admittedly, some of these songs do not land well. Some songs, such as “Fasho Fasho” or “Stripper Name” aren’t nearly as loud or vibrant as the rest of the songs. They lack the sense of wildness and depravity that makes songs such as “Esskeetit” so good.

Also, many songs end up repeating the same ideas. Yes, Pump, I know that you copulated with a hundred girls, and yes, I know that your wrist costs more than a luxury car.

The depravity isn’t what makes the songs good, however. It all boils down to the sense of self-awareness that Lil Pump has. Rap often gets a bad name because so many monotonous rappers rap about the same thing: drugs, cars, clothes and women. Yet in Pump’s songs, these topics are blown out of proportion and satirised. All of his lines about taking drugs or buying cars sound stupid, and there’s plenty humour to be found.

Moreover, every song feels genuine. It feels like Pump. Every ridiculous lyrics sounds like joke that Lil Pump is letting you in on. Pump is that goofball in class who over exaggerates everything to the point of laughter. That’s one of the best parts of “Harverd Dropout;” it sounds like a witty satire.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Artists: Lil Pump

Date Released: February 22, 2019