IDK is back! Yes, the DMV native has come back with another project after his incredible debut album, Is He Real? A second part to his IDK & FRIENDS, which helmed mainly DMV artists on the tape, including Q Da Fool, Rico Nasty, and Wale, with heavy additions such as Denzel Curry and Maxo Kream, IDK & FRIENDS 2 takes this concept a step further.

Newcomers to the friend’s list this year include producers Ronny J, Juicy J, and JetsonMade, along wieth many others, and new DMV link-ups such as Xanman, Big Jam, Yungmanny, and Big Flock, as well as others like PNB Rock and Alex Vaughn.

The tape is actually a soundtrack for NBA star, Kevin Durant’s Showtime documentary, Basketball County: In the Water. Both Kevin Durant and IDK are from PG County, Maryland, which is how they were able to connect for the project.

Check out our review of the new IDK & FRIENDS 2 tape below!

OMERTÀ

Shut the f*ck up

Our intro track for this project, presents IDK telling an unknown individual to stop running his mouth. The word Omertà is a Southern Italian code of silence and code of honor that places importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders. Basically, IDK is conveying that silence is power, and opening your mouth could end up being your downfall.

RILEY (ft. Xanman)

Indian plug, hold up, that n**** got work in a taxi cab

RILEY places Xanman right in his home in terms of production, with heavy 808s, hard piano keys, and an even harder beat to pull it all together. Xanman comes on with the infectious chorus before spitting verses on internet haters, shooters, moonwalking, Scooby Snacks, and his Indian plug. He alley-oops to IDK who slides onto the beat effortlessly, with the lyricism that solidifies this track a golden starter to the tape. As IDK says, he’s doing quite well for a Largo dropout.

MAZEL TOV (ft. A$AP Ferg)

Mazel Tov to the Gang

Started with a beautiful flute melody, the 808s crash into MAZEL TOV like a wave and by the time IDK’s first verse starts, you’re guaranteed to be already nodding your head and scrunching your face. On the track, IDK speaks on topics of fake friends, his lack of support from certain people in the early stages of his artistry, and oh yeah, his Jewish taxpayers. Ferg’s verse was as creative and flow-crazy as is expected of an artist of his caliber, tying a neat and hard bow on a fire track.

SQUARE UP (ft. Juicy J)

B*tch don’t call my phone no more, I don’t got no time for you fake ass h*es

One of our favorite tracks from the tape, considering it is the first track we actually see an IDK and Juicy J-. The frantic, running melody and the heavy, yet subtle 808s underneath give more bang to the percussion and hi-hats when they blend together. IDK’s vocals can be heard in the background, crooning with silent reverb and adding a delicate layer.

The DMV native spits with confidence and pride, showing no fear in his lyrics or topic of delivery. The bridge towards the second half of the track is a nice momentum builder for smooth, whimsical, and adlib-worthy Juicy J verse that follows.

BULLETPROOF (ft. Denzel Curry & Maxo Kream)

Think you bulletproof, ‘til my shooters shoot

BULLETPROOF rushes out the gate with a wavy Denzel and IDK bridge/chorus. The hook ignites the track before the first word of a verse is even said. The murky beat and overall dusky production with eerie chimes and weird synths, create the dark atmosphere where these artists thrive, especially Maxo Kream, who slid on his verse with perfection. Themes of young shooters, dead friends, and the promise to end any beef with a bullet.

END OF DISCUSSION (ft. PNB Rock)

She ain’t suckin, she ain’t f*ckin, end of discussion

One of the more sing-songy tracks on “IDK & FRIENDS 2”, END OF DISCUSSION has PNB Rock and IDK trading verses back and forth on the topic of broke haters, spending money simply because they can, stunting on those who’re out of their league, and moving out of the way of females who don’t have the energy they both desire. Creative and hard-hitting bars are littered throughout the track from both artists.

TOOTH FAIRY

Like a tooth under the pillow I get money when I sleep

When we heard that “Oh my god, Ronny!” tag on an IDK track, we at Nefarious can confirm that we almost screamed. IDK utilizes Ronny J’s production beautifully, hitting the pockets in the beat he needs to strike fire with every word that lands. IDK talks about the usual haters, getting money when he sleeps, comparing his moves to those with his name in their mouth.

495 (ft. YungManny, Big Flock, Big Jam, & Rico Nasty)

I got three oppositions that might f*ck ‘round and blow

We’ve already done our review for this track. Take a look here if you wanna read. Short answer:

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

LIVE FOR IT (ft. Wale & Alex Vaughn)

You the MVP for it, and ball for it, yeah yeah

The slowest track on the tape, the keys on an organ piano leads LIVE FOR IT from start to finish, with the rest of the production swelling and building around it. Wale has a beautiful opening verse that sets the tone for the rest of the track, and Alex Vaughn’s iridescent vocals color the track a pretty color needed to blanket over IDK and Wale’s lyricism. The track fades out, taking elements from the production out subtly, as Wale ends of the project with the dimming bridge.