Danny Brown started his career in 2007 by handing out mixtapes in Detroit, where he’s from. In 2011, he put out his acclaimed second album, XXX. Since then, he’s collaborated with rappers like Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky and JPEGMafia, but he’s also worked with electronic bands like Purity Ring and The Avalanches, and he did a verse on a remix for Korn.
When I first heard him, around when XXX came out, I was really drawn to his voice. And I also appreciated that, given how young so many artists are now when they get really famous, Danny Brown’s career really started taking off in his 30s. He put out his sixth album, Quaranta, in 2023. And for this episode, I talked to him about one of the songs from that album, called “Y.B.P.," which features guest vocals from Bruiser Wolf.
For more, visit songexploder.net/danny-brown.
Re-issue: Julien Baker - Appointments
Feist - In Lightning
Madison McFerrin - Run (feat. Bobby McFerrin)
New Order - Blue Monday
Re-issue: Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt. II
Yaeji - Passed Me By
Seal - Kiss from a Rose
Kenny Beats - Still
Re-issue: Kimbra - Top of the World
MUNA - What I Want
Noah Kahan - Stick Season
Sampa the Great - Let Me Be Great (feat. Angélique Kidjo)
Son Lux - This is a Life (from 'Everything Everywhere All at Once')
Omah Lay - Never Forget
Book Exploder: James McBride - Deacon King Kong
Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
Book Exploder: George Saunders - Victory Lap
Santigold - Ushers of the New World
Book Exploder: Celeste Ng - Little Fires Everywhere
King Princess - Let Us Die
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