180 Gram Vinyl. Housed in Holographic Gatefold with Pop Up Elements. UPC: 5060121301580 "This album is really only for my giving niggas," says $ilkMoney when asked. his latest offering, and its intended audience. "It's for my niggas who give and never expect anything in return." Inspired by author Shel Silverstein's 1964 parable of generosity without the expectation of reciprocity, $ilk's interpretation of the source material might seem oddly selfless in a music industry that privileges ego and conspicuous consumption over all else, but then again, $ilk Money has never been one to conform. About a decade ago, $ilk (Murphy Graves) burst on the scene as a teenaged rap wunderkind whose gift for fast-paced flows, vivid lyrics, and irreverent sense of humor led to multiple viral moments and earning him a devoted cult following and celebrity fans in the process. In the years since, we've witnessed $ilk grow up and out through his solo releases and collaborations with artists like Fly Anakin and Noname. His signature intensity, debauchery, and virtuosity are all still here, but he's become even more expansive in his subject matter. Now, at 28, he's upped the self-reflection, social commentary, and vulnerability in his songs. It's ironic then, that this more mature food for thought was inspired by a chil- dren's book. "We're all 'The Giving Tree' in some way, " he explains. "Whether you give your all to your children or your passion or your dreams or to a relationship or whatever it is, we just gotta realize that a lot of what we give ourselves to don't really owe us anything to begin with." Over the course of 15 tracks co-produced by himself and frequent collaborator Kahlil Blu, along with contributions from Mutant Academy producer Sycho Sid, $ilk explores this concept as only he could. Musically, this new album is a combination of the type of uptempo, high-energy production he rhymed on in his earlier years on songs. Still $ilk is most potent when he turns his gaze inward. "I give a lot to hip-hop, " he says...