On February 24th, Logic dropped his ninth album, College Park, his first independent project since departing from Def Jam Records. Throughout the album, Logic reflects on his upbringing and reminisces on his days as an up-and-coming rapper. Emitting echoes of his old sound, it’s clear he isn’t just returning to his roots with the album’s title and track names.
We all know this world-renowned, chart-topping, MTV award-winning, platinum-record-selling artist but perhaps overlooked is his connection to the DMV. In 1990, Logic was born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II at Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Maryland. Ascending from the roots of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Logic has never failed to mention where he is from. In songs like 1995, "Gang Related", and "Everyday" amongst others, he reflects on different aspects of the DMV, whether he’s talking about past events or making it big “for the 301”. Now, with the release of College Park, Logic is adding even more DMV tributes to his list.
To announce the release of his album, Logic created a graphic that resembles the green line on the DC Metro Map. The image even features an outline of the district as well, making it a partial replica. With the Metro stop for College Park, Maryland being second on the rail line, it is clear why Logic chose this as his album announcement image.
Although originally from the DMV, he currently resides in Los Angeles where he held a free listening party and Q&A for the new album. On February 23rd, a day before its release, fans gathered to earn a pass for the event. In Logic’s recap video for the event, many fans proudly announce that they slept in their cars or waited in line all night to make sure they could gain entry.
The listening party may have occurred in Los Angeles, but the album lives in the heart of the DMV. With several songs and artists tying Logic to his roots, his intention to highlight his journey to success is explicit. Keep reading to find out more about how the album binds to the DMV!
DMV Featured Songs:
Gaithersburg Freestyle
The title of this track speaks for itself, letting fans immediately know this is a song dedicated solely to Logic’s youth as a rapper. The song features four DMV native artists: C Dot Castro, Big Lenbo, Ade, and Fat Trel. Within the song, Logic mentions several DMV staples, such as U Street, a music-oriented neighborhood in Washington, D.C., and Bohemian Caverns, a now closed-down D.C. restaurant that would host music acts.
Although the single mainly features DMV elements outside the city Logic grew up in, the name Gaithersburg Freestyle is the perfect final tie to make it a wholesome and nostalgic piece. The lyrics may not specifically discuss the challenges Logic faced prior to fame but the song itself embodies the essence of his childhood.
38.9897 °N, 76.9378 °W
This song is named after the coordinates that lead to what now is a parking garage on the University of Maryland’s Campus in College Park. When looking at this on a map, it may seem insignificant. However, to Logic, these coordinates reflect the exact spot where he decided to jump-start his music career.
The two artists featured on the track, C Dot Castro and Big Lenbo, are also DMV natives who were friends with logic since the start of his music career. The track reflects all three of their rise to music, compared to their life now. Given their history together, their musical origins, and their longtime friendship, it is no surprise Logic picked Castro and Lenbo for this track.
DMV Featured Artists:
C Dot Castro
DMV native rapper C Dot Castro has been making music for over two decades. Although born in Virginia, the artist grew up in Maryland, graduating from Gaithersburg High School. He is a long-time friend and collaborator of Logic’s. In fact, in 2022, he signed to Logic’s independent record label, BobbyBoy Records. Much like Logic, Castro left the DMV to move to the west coast, in hopes of finding better opportunities for his music career.
Big Lenbo
Rapper and songwriter, Big Lenbo grew up in Maryland, spending a lot of time in and around the District. During his youth, Lenbo became very close with Logic, even letting Logic live in his basement in 2009, after dropping out of high school. Lenbo was first featured on Logic’s Album The Incredible True Story and later appeared on Everybody. He is known to be part of the Rattpack, a music crew created by Logic that stands for “Real All The Time”.
ADÉ
Formally known as Phil Adé but now as ADÉ, the rapper and producer from Silver Spring, Maryland has been featured on Logic’s albums numerous times. In 2009, at just 19 years old, ADÉ was signed by R&B artist Raheem Devaughn to 368 Music Group, a DC-based independent label. For a while after he was signed, ADÉ released numerous albums under the name “Phil Adé”. However, in 2019, after taking an extensive break from music, he shorted his name and came back with a new, refined sound.
Fat Trel
Born in Washington, D.C., rapper Fat Trel received his big break in 2011, following the release of his single Respect With the Tec, where he performed with Juicy J, Joey Bada$$, and Smoke DZA. In 2013, Trel signed with Rick Ross’s label, Maybach Music Group, releasing his first and only project with them titled, Gleesh. From then on, Trel went on to release projects on his own, while teaming up with members from MMG such as Wale. Rick Ross, and Yowda. His most recent album, Big Homie, was released under DTLA records. However, he is currently releasing songs with Asylum records. Trel’s most recent single was Gaithersburg Freestyle, where he rapped alongside DMV locals as part of Logic’s College Park album.
Logic
College Park
Released: February 24, 2023
Track Listing:
1. “Crusin’ Through The Universe” (Feat. RZA)
2. “Wake Up” (Feat. Lucy Rose)
3. “Lightsabers” (Feat. C Dot Castro)
4. “Clone Wars III”
5. “Redpill VII”
6. “Playwright” (Feat. Andy Hull)
7. “Gaithersburg Freestyle” (Feat. C Dot Castro, Big Lenbo, Fat Trel & Adé)
8. “Insipio”
9. “Self Medication” (Feat. Seth Macfarlane, Redman & Statik Selektah)
10. “Shimmy” (Feat. Joey Bada$$)
11. “Paradise II” (Feat. Norah Jones)
12. “Come On Down” (Feat. Jordan Harris)
13. “Village Slum”
14. “Highlife”
15. “38.9897 °N, 76.9378 °W” (Feat. C Dot Castro & Big Lenbo)
16. “Ayo” (Feat. Bun B & Lil Keke)
17. “Lightyear”
Listen
Listen
Listen
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Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Additional
Resources
To learn more about Logic
To learn more about C Dot Castro
To learn more about Big Lenbo
To learn more about ADÉ
To learn more about Fat Trel
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