— For over a year, Atlanta rapper CashOnAble has documented his life and detailed his creative process in his There’s More To Life vlog series. He now releases his highly-anticipated album of the same name.
Never failing to deliver carefully-crafted bars and authentically aware subject matter, CashOnAble is easily one of the most proficient hip-hop artists on Atlanta’s underground scene. Routinely distributing face-scrunching lyrics and thought-provoking verses, this prolific penman makes it his mission to supply his listeners with nothing less than his finest artistry. For hard proof, look no further than his latest release, his new album There’s More To Life.
On There’s More To Life, we find CashOnAble at his most inspirational and most vulnerable to date as he bounces between motivating his listeners, sharing his own painful trauma, and expressing his unwavering belief in seeing brighter days. In fact, he repeatedly asserts in more ways than one that today is that brighter day, encouraging listeners to look around and savor the small things in life because, in reality, they’re actually the big things.
Starting with a skit on the opening track, “Welcome,” a group of ladies is asked to interpret the album’s title phrase allowing listeners to immediately identify with the album’s message as we instinctively answer the question for ourselves. We then get to hear from talented songstress Jaszy Shavers as she blesses the project with her invigorating words and angelic vocals, laying the groundwork for the incredible slate of music that would follow.
Providing a bit of contrast from the album’s opener, the title track, “There’s More To Life” featuring Era Breaux, takes a slightly more somber tone as CashOnAble details the stark reality of life’s hardships and the self-destructive urge to wallow in your own despair. However, he supplies the push you need as he thoroughly motivates his listeners with bars like,
“I pray you have a blessed day. I just wanted to say
The world is on your shoulders, I can tell ‘cause I carry the weight
Never been a stranger to an obstacle, giving up isn’t optional
Man up and drag your nuts, it’s time to follow through
Nobody’s coming to your aid. Gotta strategize a way
Dig yourself up out the dirt, live to fight another day
I know it’s easier to stay inside and live in misery
But ain’t no benefit in dying when you still got kids to feed”
CashOnAble continues with a similar disposition on tracks like “Listen Or Not” featuring Tone Jonez, “Love Come Cheap,” and “Da Hard Way” featuring Auni Saxton as he addresses heavy subject matter while offering advice, encouragement, and solace.
On the other hand, songs like “1099” — utilizing a heartwarming soul sample — and “We Gone Make It” — featuring lively doo-wop vocals, blaring trumpets, and a cheery piano melody — maintain CashOnAble’s inspirational theme while fostering a more lighthearted mood with help from featured artist Tone Jonez on both records. Still, even here, CashOnAble’s exceptional writing is on display as he skillfully drops a few bars highlighting some of his personal struggles in entrepreneurship and, more tragically, the passing of his own mother when he was a child while simultaneously preserving each song’s lively and uplifting aura.
Handled almost entirely by Tone Jonez with additional production from producers Insane Beats, Osym Beats, and frequent collaborator Cuffing Season, the music production of There’s More To Life is immaculate to say the absolute least. Keeping a consistently raw (yet polished) sound, the album plays like an extended jam session featuring groovy basslines, heavenly soul samples, dreamy melodies, soulful background vocals, and crisp drum cadences among other things.
As far as the album’s features go, whether it was Jaszy Shavers or Auni Saxton providing their mesmerizing vocals, Tone Jonez adding finishing touches with his cleverly-written and expertly-executed hooks, or frequent collaborator Chizabam lending a poetically profound verse on the album’s gospel-inspired closing record “Shadow of Death” — every contribution was a much needed and much appreciated addition to the final product.
All in all, this new album marks yet another masterful release from CashOnAble. Continuing to step into his greatness with every drop, There’s More To Life is an incredible follow up to CashOnAble’s last album, Shhh… Just Let Me Feel, which made our list of Top Hip-Hop albums of 2023. If you missed out on that, it’s certainly worth a listen… or ten.
Listen to CashOnAble’s new album There’s More To Life right here and be sure to follow him on Instagram to stay up to date on his latest moves.