Ab-Soul’s Big Year: A Celebration of Soul Burger and A COLORS SHOW Performance

Ab-Soul, the revered lyricist from Top Dawg Entertainment, has been having an unforgettable year. Earlier in 2024, he released his sixth studio album, Soul Burger, which has since garnered widespread acclaim from fans, critics, and industry peers alike. This week, he solidified his impact with a powerful performance of one of the album’s standout tracks, “Squeeze 1st 2,” on the popular platform A COLORS SHOW.

Ab-Soul’s Soul Burger pays tribute to his late friend and collaborator Armon “Doe Burger” Stringer, who passed away in 2021. The album balances hard-hitting beats with introspective lyricism, offering listeners a journey through grief, celebration, and growth. His performance on A COLORS SHOW showcased the passion and raw emotion that fans have come to expect from the rapper. The YouTube comments section quickly filled with admiration.

“Maaan, I’m so happy to see this man Ab-Soul getting his flowers. Truly one of the best to ever touch a mic!” one fan shared. Another wrote, “Soul Burger really a masterpiece. This man’s discography is INCREDIBLE.”

A Shift in Focus

In a recent interview with Billboard, Ab-Soul opened up about his creative direction for Soul Burger. Unlike previous projects that leaned heavily on complex wordplay and cerebral metaphors, this album prioritizes emotional resonance and crowd appeal.

“This is to get the crowd jumping and focus more on the feeling versus being so cerebral,” he explained. Drawing inspiration from Quincy Jones, he shared, “I think Quincy Jones said, ‘You gotta leave a little space for God to step in.’ I been going in beating my head against the wall coming up with the dopest metaphor versus expressing myself.”

The shift in approach has paid off, with tracks like “Squeeze 1st 2” resonating deeply with audiences for their honesty and vulnerability, without sacrificing Ab-Soul’s signature lyrical prowess.

Kendrick Lamar’s Praise

Ab-Soul’s impact extends beyond his fans. Fellow TDE heavyweight and former Black Hippy groupmate Kendrick Lamar acknowledged his brilliance on GNX, giving a heartfelt shoutout on “The Heart Pt. 6.”

“Ab-Soul in the corner mumblin’ raps, fumblin’ packs of Blacks / Crumblin kush ’til he cracked a smile / His words legendary, wishin’ I could rhyme like him / Studied his style to define my pen,” Kendrick rapped.

Kendrick also broke his usual social media silence to praise Soul Burger on Instagram, a rare gesture that underscores the significance of Ab-Soul’s latest release.

A Year to Remember

With Soul Burger, Ab-Soul has delivered an album that cements his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most unique voices. His COLORS performance and the outpouring of love from fans and peers alike are testaments to his enduring talent. As he continues to navigate the balance between introspection and accessibility, Ab-Soul proves that authenticity and evolution can coexist in remarkable harmony.

For Ab-Soul, 2024 isn’t just a big year—it’s a defining chapter in an already stellar career.