August Alsina released a new album called ‘The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy’ on the 26th of June, which plays on the words “emerge and see” and wow what an amazing album!
Alongside this album, August Alsina released a mini documentary called “stateofEMERGEncy: The Rise of August Alsina”, on YouTube. In this documentary he gives us a look into his upbringing and personal life, including dealing with an auto-immune disease that almost killed him and deaths of loved ones. He has really been through it all through and I really just want to give him a huge hug! I find him so inspirational because despite what life throws at him, he still maintains a positive outlook on life – which is evident in this album. He even shared an immensely powerful quote in the documentary which stated that “when you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote, increase and strengthen you”. Such a statement just goes to show his perception of life as an optimist. It’s clear that even in the face of adversity, August Alsina will view the cup as half full and not half empty.
In a statement released before the album came out, August stated that:
“the goal of the project is to expose myself through the art and to help others reveal their true selves. Go back into the past, bring it into the present and positively impact our future”
“through the sharing of my own life stories, I hope to show that these things are only experiences and they do not define who we are. It is simply given to us to help us build and grow, catapulting us into our next dimension into our newer selves. (Hence the title “Emerge and See”)
“I remember a time thinking that the many trials I’ve faced were sent to destroy me, I later learned that a seed must completely destroy itself in order to become a flower”.
And he certainly made all of this evident throughout the album, especially in the first track called NOLA, as he discusses how people want the old him, but the old him is no more. There’s a new him now.
One of my personal faves from the album has to be Sincerely, a heartfelt song dedicated to his nieces that he adopted after their parents died. Within this song he essentially gives his nieces beautiful life advice whilst telling them he loves them and will always be there for them no matter what. It’s honestly so cute and sweet.
Deliver Us is also an amazing song that’s with a wonderful chorus where he asks God for strength. This song was very needed especially when the current climate is considered. Darren Walls’ part made the song sound even more powerful as he prayed and pleaded for God to heal and grant his people peace.
Notable mentions to Bossin Up, Today and Fly far, which were all amazing songs too.
It’s rare for me to enjoy an album in its complete entirety, but this album for me is a 10/10, so I loved all the 27 tracks and it’s been on repeat since I first heard it. It’s the perfect blend of RnB with a sprinkle of hip hop and there's a bit of everything from inspirational songs to songs about love.
All in all, as well as being beautiful to the ears, this new album is a very encouraging. I love August Alsina for how inspirational he is. We need to give him his flowers whilst we still can because he’s such an amazing and talented human being.