I Miss the Band Already: Saying goodbye to BROCKHAMPTON

Graphic by Karenna Umscheid

By Patrick McGill

A group’s last album, especially when marketed as such, usually can play one of two hands. First is the funeral approach, setting fire to the past in order to create a new bridge to the future (think Icky Thump’s departure from the electric sound that made the White Stripes famous). Or, there’s the victory lap, celebrating the accomplishments of the body of work while setting it to rest in a definitive fashion (Tribe Called Quest’s We Got it From Here… comes to mind). 

Both approaches have been done before and choosing between the two often negates the nuanced and mixed feelings that inevitably come with breaking a band up. It’s that bittersweet middleground that Kevin Abstract finds himself exploring on Brockhampton’s final album The Family.

Since coming into the mainstream with the Saturation trilogy in 2017, Brockhampton has traversed through unfinished projects, lineup changes, and a contentious relationship with label RCA. What began as a group of ambitious kids who met on a Kanye forum has transformed into one of modern hip-hop’s most prolific acts. But keeping the output consistent was taking its toll and, after their April performance at this year’s Coachella, the boyband stated the next record will be their last. Both casual and diehard fans were shocked, which only grew once finding out that frontman Kevin Abstract would be the only member of the thirteen contributing verses. Following the album's release, Kevin put out a statement explaining the project’s aim: to “. . . make something new that would bring closure to the past . . .”

Set clear by single “Big Pussy”’s lyrics on industry woes and the members growing distance, The Family is Abstract’s impassioned attempt to give an unvarnished depiction of how Brockhampton split while simultaneously congratulating himself and collaborators on what they’ve accomplished. With 17 tracks spanning 35 minutes, Abstract keeps most of the songs short but sweet, not mincing a single word.

Beginning with the anthemic “Take it Back” which pays homage to heroes Tyler, the Creator and Kanye West, the chipmunk loop creates a positive atmosphere, giving the bigger picture of BH before diving into smaller details in the coming tracks. The introspection really starts with the song “RZA” where Abstract acknowledges his shortcomings, comparing himself to the Wu-Tang Clan leader before admitting he can only be himself (“I know I gotta be / More like RZA be”). Brockhampton is not Wu-Tang. Trying to resemble the famed group, sticking together for decades, isn’t fruitful. In an industry that forces artists to remain tethered either through record deals or fan expectation, explaining this desire to leave so plainly is brave.

That courageousness continues into “All That” which features a one note, nostalgic, sample of the Nickelodeon show which is saved by Kevin admitting his failures, particularly focusing on his 2019 solo project over the group. However, there’s no blame and the tone never comes off as petty. Instead, the delivery evokes an “is-what-it-is” attitude which shifts dramatically with “Basement” and “Southside”. Taking aim at fans and growing anxieties from the business side of music, the two songs mark one of the first times Abstract lets his anger be known, wanting a return to the days when “. . . music was not money . . .”. The album then turns to the theme of toxic relationships on “Good Time” which presses on until “Prayer” in an impressive string of songs.

Aided by creative samples, particularly the guitar work on “Any Way You Want Me”, it becomes clear on the final, self-titled, track that what brought the demise of Brockhampton wasn’t one specific thing. “These issues ain’t new,” says Abstract before calling each member by name, praising their specific talents, symbolically freeing them from the group despite admitting they don’t talk anymore. It is with this admittance that the title of the album becomes evident. To the members, Abstract especially, Brockhampton was more than just a group, it was a family. You may fight, bicker, and grow distant with time but what brought you together in the first place isn’t going away. Times change and people age. It won’t always be the summer of 2017 when Saturation blew up and that’s alright. Family will remain family and those good times will remain good. In other words, closure achieved.