Danny Brown Drops ‘Old’ Album: Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, Oct. 8, in hip-hop history...

2013: Detroit oddball Danny Brown dropped his third studio album Old on Oct. 8, 2013.

Danny Brown is one rapper who has never been concerned with fitting to hip-hop's mold. The young spitta was still soaring off the buzz of 2011's XXX and fresh off being named a 2012 XXL Freshman when he dropped his unorthodox third project. Released under Fool's Gold Records, the album featured experimental production from A-Trak, BadBadNotGood, Frank Dukes, Oh No and Paul White.

Dee Luciano called upon rap friends like Freddie Gibbs, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and A$AP Rocky to assist the album with features. Additional writers credited on the album include André 3000, Big Boi and Kanye West. The 19-track project shows a mental split in Danny's mind: one reflecting on his past nightmares and one showcasing his honesty and depth as a writer in the present.

Old was hailed by critics and fans alike. When he dropped the album, he explained that it was a return to form for him as an artist.

"[It refers to] when I'm experimenting, making songs with Darq E Freaker and stuff, and then when I go back to my 'hood, I have my people who be like, 'Where that 'Old' Danny Brown shit at? I wanna hear that J Dilla Danny Brown," said Brown in an interview.

Fueled by the singles "Dip," "25 Bucks" and "Smokin & Drinkin," Old remains Danny's most commercially successful LP. The album debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, moving 15,000 in the first week. Old would go on to be named one of the Best Albums of the Year by XXL.

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