DaeShawn Forrest’s Long Live Proves Authenticity is Still Alive
On his new album Long Live, Bay Area rapper/producer DaeShawn Forrest another gem, based in soul, introspection, and authenticity.
Bay Area rapper and producer DaeShawn Forrest has never been one to hide behind facades or false narratives. Since stepping onto the scene, he has used music as a mirror to reflect growth, faith, and the triumphant victories that come along with pushing through life’s toughest battles. His latest album, LONG LIVE is simultaneously a testament to that resilience and a solid new entry in his catalog, cementing him as one of the most introspective voices rising out of the Bay.
Coming in at 10 tracks and 33 minutes, LONG LIVE gets straight to it, not wasting any time in making an impact. From the opening track, “Another Chance,” DaeShawn sets the tone of the album with raw determination: each new day is an opportunity to live, dream, and push one step closer to his dreams. “I look at the mirror, not accomplishments,” he declares, reminding listeners that his artistry comes from self-reflection, not accolades. The struggle didn’t break him, but built him into an artist with razor-sharp focus and a growing legacy.
A Continuation and Evolution
The project follows his 2024 release, THE DREAM (read our review here), but dives even deeper into DaeShawn’s journey. Where THE DREAM laid the foundation, LONG LIVE uncovers new layers of his story: the grind, the faith, the perseverance. His pen stays grounded in Hip Hop’s tradition of powerful, personable storytelling, while the production matches every lyric with beats that sound familiar, yet refreshing.
“Slow to catch on, you gon’ watch me zoom by,” he raps, addressing doubters and naysayers who underestimated his staying power. There’s no half-stepping here, Forrest is as locked in as ever.
Standout Tracks & Features
The soulful essence of the album comes alive on “Coming of Age,” where Forrest details the growing pains of finding himself. Track seven, “Oh, Yeah!,” pushes that energy further, blending Hip Hop with a Neo-Soul undercurrents that make listeners remember the golden era of cross-genre collaborations. “Overcame fears on the low,” he raps, underscoring how quiet resilience often precedes visible victories.
Across the project, features add depth without overshadowing DaeShawn’s voice. Collaborations with Morrianna Jack, Jm3, KD the Poet, and Bay Area legend Mac Mall feel organic, highlighting DaeShawn’s ability to honor Hip Hop’s pioneers while spotlighting its next wave. His previously released single “Sacrifice,” along with its remix, slides effortlessly into the tracklist, declaring a new anthem for pushing past obstacles that continues to connect with fans.
Faith, Wisdom, and Vision
What elevates LONG LIVE is Forrest’s balance of vulnerability and strength. “I don’t only want to know struggle. This can’t be all for me,” he raps, drawing from years of battling depression, doubt, and outside expectations. The wisdom he’s gained doesn’t just make for dope music, it positions DaeShawn to make his dreams reality. His verses are seasoned with scripture, grounding his vision in faith while skipping past opinions on what his career “should” look like.
That’s the essence of LONG LIVE: an artist refusing to let outside voices dictate his path, instead carving out a lane of his own, and all on his own terms.
With LONG LIVE, DaeShawn Forrest proves that introspective Hip Hop still has the power to move Hip Hop culture forward. With a foundation set in authenticity, LONG LIVE is a declaration of perseverance, empowerment, and faith. And at this point in his career, DaeShawn isn’t just chasing dreams, he’s living them out day by day and track by track.
Stream LONG LIVE today and stay tapped in @daeshawnforrest as he continues to rise from the West Coast to the world.
