The third official studio album from TDE’s own Isaiah Rashad is a love letter to forgiving and finding one’s self.

It’s been five years since the Chattanooga native’s sophomore album The House Is Burning released, generating widespread buzz and acclaim. Rumors had been circulating since 2024 that the follow-up would be coming much sooner. Fans of Rashad are no strangers to this though, as the rapper is notorious for teasing the release of a project only for it to be pushed back indefinitely. However, in March of 2026, the rumors started to get a little more weight to them, as fans who purchased other TDE merch also received postcards that read “It’s Been Awful” on the front and “Everybody wants to see you crash out, fall off, and burn out for their entertainment. I just want to see you smile” on the back. Shortly thereafter, Rashad would drop the album’s first single, “SAME SHIT“, generating even more buzz. With Kendrick Lamar officially gone from TDE, Rashad looks to cement himself as the premier rapper on the label.

Ever since Cilvia Demo hit the scene in 2014, Isaiah Rashad has had a core dedicated space in the hip-hop scene. While never the biggest name in the game like some of his peers, he has been lauded for his ability to cultivate atmosphere, his vulnerable subject matter, and his overall style and flair. He continued that on to his debut album The Sun’s Tirade, then again on the follow-up, each time growing more and more as an artist. However, his biggest growth comes on this record, as Rashad experiments with new sounds and vibes, while making it feel effortless. While not a complete sonic departure, he mixes in elements of pop and rock that flow seamlessly with his signature sound. It’s a masterclass on how to continue to push yourself as an artist while not losing what makes you you.

He cites multiple influences on the record. In a recent interview with Vice, he states, “The biggest inspiration for me was Fousheé… Prince, I’ve been having ‘If I Was Your Girlfriend’ on repeat for 2-3 months […] For this tail end part of my project, this girl PLUTO from Atlanta. She’s been inspiring me, and this other girl BunnaB.” It’s these influences that helped shape the new direction of his sound, and elevate him in his artistry.

Rashad has always been a “heart on your sleeve” style rapper, giving his audience a glimpse into his mind and personal struggles. However, this time it feels even more personal. Rashad goes through his struggles with addiction – getting clean, relapsing, then getting clean again. He touches on past relationships, including that with the mother of his three children. He deals with the personal struggle of being outed in 2022 when two sextapes got leaked online and the perception that came with it. Rashad uses the album as a sort of therapy session, and it’s that vulnerability that allows him to relate to his listeners in a way that very few are able to like he can. In a letter to his fans on Twitter, Isaiah says, “OVER THE YEARS, I’VE TRIED ON A LOT OF HATS AND FACES UNTIL I FOUND THE SKIN I WAS COMFORTABLE IN. THIS ALBUM IS A LOVE LETTER TO GETTING THERE; GOING BEYOND FACADES AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH WHAT KEPT ME SAFE (da music) WHEN I NEEDED TO POUR MYSELF INTO SOMETHING FOR SANITY.” Music is the one thing that’s kept him going, and he poured himself into his.

The 16 track record comes in at just about 54 minutes, making it his second longest project after The Sun’s Tirade. The front half of the record is definitely the stronger half, and the tail end starts to show signs of fatigue. However, it wraps up neatly before overstaying it’s welcome. It could have potentially done with cutting a song or two, but ultimately every track serves a purpose and tells the complete story of the journey. Maybe it’s too early to say this is his best body of work yet, especially when Cilvia Demo and The Sun’s Tirade hold such a strong place in many people’s hearts. Come back in a year or two, though, and the common sentiment might just be that IT’S BEEN AWFUL stands alone at the top.

Rating: 9.7/10

By Devyn Tammons