George Watsky, more widely known as just Watsky, started with slam poetry as a teenager before moving towards rap. He first became well known from a YouTube video he posted titled “Pale Kid Raps Fast” in 2011. This just covers his six studio albums, but he also has some unreleased music, which can be found online.
According to his website, Watsky has released a total of six solo albums, starting with his self-titled album in 2009. This album has 15 songs with a total run-time of one hour and one minute. It is one of two albums that isn’t entirely explicit.
“The Girl Next Door (To Everybody Else)” lands right in the middle of the album. This one is for the people that have had their heartbroken in the worst of ways, finding out that the person they’re talking to is also talking to other people.
Just a couple of songs later is “I Got This Love (feat. Passion).” Watsky states he has love because of some terrible events such as Jonestown and Auschwitz. He also has love because leaves fall, and his grandma lived to “99-eleven months.” Passion sings in the chorus that he has love just because. It’s a truly beautiful song that people who love just because will enjoy.
“Color Lines (feat. Catch Wreck)” falls near the end of the album. In this song, Watsky acknowledges where the type of music he makes came from. It’s a conversation/argument between him and Wreck about the history of rap and hip hop. This song probably wasn’t made for people to enjoy, but rather for people to understand that Watsky wouldn’t be able to make the music he makes if it weren’t for black artists.
The album “Cardboard Castles” was released in 2013. Although released nine years ago, many fans list this as their top favorite album. The album features 17 songs, with a runtime of one hour and two minutes. Here Watsky is able to showcase his best work through this album. The album contain songs of strength, heartbreak, comedy and politics.
The 12th song on the album, “Dedicated to Christina Li” may not have topped the charts but is relatable to the listeners. It’s not only a memorial, but it also tells a story of compassion, love and heartbreak.
Watsky released his third album, “All You Can Do,” just a year after “Cardboard Castles.” There are 16 songs for a total run-time of 57 minutes 45 seconds. Anderson Paak produced all but two songs on this album and features on four songs.
After a year break, Watsky came back with the album “x Infinity” in 2016. The 18-song album is the longest of the six with a total run-time of one hour 15 minutes. This is another album that many fans put at the top of their list.
Although a great album, there’s one song that stands out among the rest. “Pink Lemonade” is somewhat of a diss track of the political atmosphere of the United States. It’s a song that, although made six years ago, tells of the issues we also face today.
Three years after releasing his longest album, Watsky released his shortest. “COMPLAINT” has nine songs for a total run-time of 28 minutes 16 seconds. Of the nine songs, there are three that are truly great. “Welcome to the Family,” “All Like Whatever,” and “No Complaints No Conversations” could be considered some of Watsky’s best work.
“PLACEMENT” was released in 2020. Featuring nine songs like the previous album, this album has a run time of 38 minutes and four seconds.
The main reason the album is 10 minutes longer is because of “Dreams and Boxes.” “Dreams and Boxes” is a three-part song that runs for 10 minutes 55 seconds. This is also the only album other than “Watsky” that has a non-explicit song, “Embrace the Quake.” The song is one of encouragement, something we could all probably use.
If you want to start listening to Watsky, start with “Cardboard Castles.” From there, make your own path. End with “PLACEMENT” though, there’s a reason it’s his most recently released album.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected]