On i’d rather not, Detroit rapper Nolan the Ninja shows that less can be more. The album runs just nine tracks, each under three minutes, but still manages to hit hard and leave an impression. By stripping down the format, Nolan emphasizes precision—both in his hazy, punchline-laden verses and in the jazz-inflected beats that complement his unfiltered honesty.
IRN’s brevity is more than a creative choice—it’s Nolan’s challenge to make every second count. This minimalist approach lets him stay true to his boom-bap roots while avoiding the excesses that often bog down modern rap projects. The tight structure heightens the impact of every line, making tracks like “kintsugi” feel like snapshots of his psyche, each verse a deliberate move in a game of lyrical chess. With features from Fatboi Sharif and the up-and-coming Imani Nichele, Nolan channels a raw yet refined energy, crafting a project that uses its minimalism as a strength rather than a limitation.
The album’s compact structure ultimately feels like a statement, reflecting a mindset focused on clarity and impact over bravado. i’d rather not is a masterclass in doing more with less, leaving listeners craving more of its rich but restrained layers. For Nolan, it’s an exploration of identity, an album that thrives not in flashy production or bravado but in the depths of its lyricism—a triumph in hip-hop minimalism. For fans, it’s a promising glimpse of what’s to come from an artist unafraid to dig deep and push his own boundaries. It’s a reinvention that speaks to Nolan’s journey and the heights he’s poised to reach.
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