Following the mainstream concessions of Life Goes On, Trae returns to his core values with The Beginning. At its best Trae’s music is dense and dark, and The Beginning’s unrelenting focus on life’s hardships places it firmly outside the conventions of popular rap music. If Trae isn’t worrying about dying, he is worrying about living. The Beginning is imbued with death and anxiety, but its overarching theme is its author’s determination to survive in a cold, cruel world. Trae’s resolve is underscored by his choices in music. The Beginning expounds upon a lush, pensive funk, slowed to a pace of pure deliberation which forms the perfect contrast to Trae’s rapid fire delivery. “Watch Ova Momma,” “Problem, Pt. 2” and “G Code” are among the strongest tracks of Trae’s career. The Beginning is a fully-realized work in which the music, lyrics, and overall atmosphere integrate to fully express the internal tribulation of a young, but rapidly aging, Houston ghetto resident.