The 13th
DJ Khaled album is dominated by the lead eight-minute title track -- more precisely a four-minute section within it. "God Did" starts as nothing special,
Khaled content aiming for anthem status with a solemn intro, half-preening/half-motivational
Khaled-speak, and identikit roles for
Rick Ross and
Lil Wayne.
Jay-Z then astounds with an extended verse detailing the surreal contrast between his past and present, dissecting with deceptive complexity the drug war and criminal justice system, not without showing off a bit, emphasizing his high standing by modifying the title to "Hov did." The acuity, wit, and virtuosity command rapt attention. "Juice WRLD Did" doesn't have the same ring to it, but the wobbling/chiming track is among the album's few other memorable moments despite being dusted off and slapped into the sequence after
Khaled added his vocal stamp. Its bittersweet quality is strongest when
Juice, who died in 2019, declares himself rookie of the year.
Latto and
City Girls lead the few new members of
Khaled's studio family on the fun and supremely assertive "Bills Paid," with
Khaled and his production associates revamping what
Bink did to
Eddie Kendricks' dancefloor funk epic "Keep On Truckin'" for
Mr. Cheeks' "Lights, Camera, Action!" The other songs with elements of old hits typify the lack of vitality in
God Did. "Staying Alive," featuring
Drake and
Lil Baby, deflates the chorus of the like-titled
Bee Gees song for the sake of a torpid ballad. The slight stretching and smearing of the hook from
Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time" across
Quavo and
Takeoff's rambunctious showcase is at least funny. Standard dancehall shot "These Streets Know My Name," adding the gazelle-like
Skillibeng to the mix, is fine, while the standard R&B number, "Beautiful," verges on dreary with
SZA outclassing duet partner
Future. (
SZA's "I took a flight for the Patek/You said, 'Bae, you're so dramatic' -- I guess" qualifies as the most ridiculous lyric on a
Khaled LP.) Adding to the album's patched-together feel is a clunky
Dr. Dre-produced remix of
Jesus Is King track "Use This Gospel," containing a low-wattage
Eminem appearance and a squirming dubstep outro. ~ Andy Kellman