Five years after The House Is Burning, Isaiah Rashad has released a new album, It’s Been Awful, marking his latest project under Top Dawg Entertainment and Warner Records.
The 16-track album arrived Friday and centers on personal conflict and self-examination. Rashad addresses struggles with drugs, sex and shame, continuing themes that have shaped his career. The opening line signals the tone: “I’m cut from a sinful nature and I feel afflicted.”
Rashad does not present clear resolutions. Instead, the project documents an ongoing internal battle while emphasizing the role of family and music as stabilizing forces. The album leans on shifting production styles that reflect changes in mood and perspective.
It’s Been Awful follows The House Is Burning, which reestablished Rashad as a key voice in hip-hop after a multi-year hiatus. The new release builds on that foundation, offering a direct account of his current state while maintaining focus on growth and endurance.
