Delusional Thomas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Delusional Thomas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Mixtape by | ||||
| Released | November 1, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Horrorcore[1] | |||
| Length | 27:15 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Delusional Thomas chronology | ||||
| ||||
Delusional Thomas is a mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller under the alias Delusional Thomas. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on November 1, 2013, via a newly created website delusionalthomas.com.
Delusional Thomas was entirely produced by Miller under his production alias Larry Fisherman. The mixtape features guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, Da$H, Bill Waves, and Mac Miller himself.
After the release of Mac Miller's second studio album Watching Movies with the Sound Off, Miller began recording material under a new character named Delusional Thomas.[2] On November 1, 2013, Miller released a previous unannounced mixtape named Delusional Thomas, introducing the new character.[3] The mixtape was produced by Miller under his production alias' Larry Fisherman and features him rapping in a distorted pitched up voice.[1][4][5] He explained the voice choice saying, "to me it was a character and I wanted to give his whole own complete, like, everything. There was part of me that wanted to do my own voice, but I just wanted it to be its own complete character. And I feel like that evil voice inside your head is always kind of in that pitch."[2]
His rhymes were described frequently as having horrorcore influences.[1][6] His lyrics contain "references to extreme violence, constant challenges to Christianity and jokes about offering up younger nephews to Michael Jackson for sex."[1] The mixtape featured guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, Mac Miller in his normal voice, ASAP Mob's Da$H and Bill Waves.[7][8][9]
Miller's album sound and lyrics were also likely influenced by his heavy drug use. In his song "The Jesuits" Miller talks about "black tar-covered demons".[10] This album came at a time during his career when Miller was heavily involved with drugs.[11]
Composition and production
The first track "Larry" "starts out with slow-pounding keys and the eerie sound of a loon call," setting the backdrop for the psychedelic killing spree the track becomes.[6][12] Songs like "Halo" feature a piano tinged beat that gives a suspenseful twist, "giving the mixtape a feel that's halfway between Tyler, The Creator's Goblin and Eminem's The Slim Shady LP.[6] "Vertigo" features an instrumental made of gunfire, murky slow-mo sound and horror-score synth.[13] Earl Sweatshirt appears on "Bill", where Bruce Smith of HipHopDX said he stole the show.[1] The instrumental of "72" features a xylophone along subtle drums under Miller's sociopathic rhymes.[6] "The Jesuits" "revels in clever wordplay and outrageous rapper imagery."[12] "Melvin" is a "graphic tale of a conflicted rising star trying to figure out if the material goods and women really afford happiness."[6] On "Grandpa Used to Carry a Flask" Miller raps in his normal voice alongside his alter ego over a somber piano backdrop."[12]
