Adolph Thornton Jr., or “Young Dolph” released his fourth studio album, Thinking Out Loud, on Friday, October 20. Dolph announced the release two weeks before just as he was released from the hospital after being shot multiple times in Hollywood.

This was not Dolph’s first time being shot at. The last album he released, Bulletproof, came out a few weeks after an attempted-assassination attempt on the artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. He dedicated this album to roasting whoever shot at him over 100 times and didn’t land one bullet.

Dolph was sitting outside a “corner store” as he mentions in his hit song, “100 Shots,” where he absolutely tears apart the shooter and his lack in ability to land a shot. The excellent lyrics in the album make it somewhat humorous in the sense that Dolph just goes in on the fact that someone tried to kill him but just simply couldn’t, as he is in fact “Bulletproof.” Dolph even calls out the shooter in 100 Shots, violently asking him, “How the f**k you miss a whole 100 Shots?”

Dolph does not shy away from anyone or any attempts on his life and that’s what I admire about his music. His personality adds to it and makes it more appealing. Dolph does not fear death, but rather sees it as a way to make better music and money, which I applaud. Anyone who’s stupid enough to mess with Dolph better know that if they miss, they’re sure to be in the storylines of one of his songs getting ridiculed and made fun of.

Most recently, Dolph was not as lucky as the shooter did land multiple shots, but Dolph walked out of the hospital a week later strong, healthy and only in an arm cast. Two weeks later he released what I believe to be is his best album yet, Thinking Out Loud.

Thinking Out Loud did not have the same theme as Bulletproof. This album was more focused around Dolph and his lifestyle as an up and coming rapper. Dolph’s style is more serious rap, with less background music and singing. Dolph is influenced by fellow trapper and friend, Gucci Mane who also released an album a week previous to Dolph. The two almost always feature in at least one of the songs on each others albums.

Gucci Mane featured in “Go Get Sum Mo” along with Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz. This song explores a more contemporary style rap, as Ty Dolla $ign has more of a singer-rapper style and he is on the chorus. Gucci Mane of course is excellent with his trapper style and 2 Chainz never fails to impress.

It’s hard to pick my favorites in this album, as I enjoy every song, but I must say my top three would be “While U Here,” “What’s the Deal,” and “Thinking Out Loud.” While U Here struck a chord in me as it is a very emotional song, where Dolph expresses the importance of family and friends in the trapper’s life. One thing I enjoyed about this album is that Dolph has a variety of themes and lyrics in his songs. From talking about all the women and money in his life and his family and enemies, Dolph is easily one of the hardest rappers in the game and addresses it all in this album where he gives listeners some solid insight into his life and the game.

Although, what keeps me listening to Dolph is his personality that goes into his music and his fantastic lyrics. It’s nice to have a rapper who you can understand when they rap. In addition, his lyrics are killer. I’ve never enjoyed the lyrics in rap until I started listening to Dolph. Lastly, rappers need a personality to them that makes them interesting and respectable. I have no experience in whatever Dolph dabbles in but from hearing how he handles his life in the news and his songs, I can tell Dolph is a well respected artist and deserves a high place in the industry. I look forward to whatever Dolph has to come, and for now, I’ll just keep listening to Thinking Out Loud.