Dom Kennedy Drops ‘Get Home Safely’ Album: Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, Oct. 15, in hip-hop history...

2013: Los Angeles rapper Dom Kennedy dropped his sophomore album, Get Home Safely, on Oct. 15, 2013. The West Coast soldier's follow-up to 2011's From the Westside with Love, II was two years in the making and it showed.

Dom employed his traditional West Coast sound, but managed to show off a matured style and delivery. Though the album was supposed to drop in August of 2013, Dom kept fans at bay with sporadic releases leading up to the October date. Dom executive produced the 18-track album himself with help from The Futuristiks, DJ Khalil and DJ Mustard. Released on Dom's own The Other People's Money label, the independent album pulled guest appearances from Skeme, Krondon, TeeFLii, Ty Dolla $ign and Nipsey Hussle. The subject matter of Get Home Safely included modern day strife ranging from not making rent on time to losing someone close to you.

Get Home Safely peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, moving 10,000 copies in the first week in the U.S. Rap fans and critics alike praised the Leimert Park legend. The project made many end-of-year best albums lists. Christian Mordi awarded the album a XL rating on XXL, writing, "What makes Dom a master of words is his ability to take you through the common man struggle and not have it wear you down... The Left Coast native's ability to transition from light hearted stuff to serious content with ease gives this album great replay value and surprising depth."

20 of Your Favorite Rappers Naming Their Favorite Rappers