Released on March 18, 2025,
on From the Private Collection, LLP.

The two of them were meant to work together. A generation separates them, but Saba and No ID are both from Chicago, and each represents the polished side of their city’s rap scene. The artistic side. The mature side. The jazzy side. Their first meeting, in the late 2010s, did not immediately lead to anything. The younger artist never ended up joining Capitol, the label then co-run by the veteran. Nevertheless, they found each other. Later on, the producer sent numerous tracks to the rapper. And what was initially supposed to be a mixtape ultimately became a proper album – one of the most celebrated of 2025.

With its random and eclectic feel, From The Private Collection Of Saba And No ID still bears traces of that original mixtape concept. Its tracks are varied. Each one is a distinct vignette, with its own tone and color. It is indeed a private collection that Saba and No ID invite us to explore. A track built on old soulful samples, then a melody filled with delicate vocals (the beautiful chorus of “Crash”) or a boldly jazz-infused instrumental (“30secchop”), sit alongside stripped-down cuts (“Breakdown,” “head.rap,” “Acts 1.5”) and more ethereal moments (“Woes Of The World”). Some songs are long and carefully structured, while others feel like interludes (“Stop Playing With Me”). As for the rapping, it can be just as stiff and direct as it can be softly chanted.

There is no real overarching thread. The rapper shares his thoughts as they come. He talks about his career (“Every Painting Has A Price”) and his public image (“BIG PICTURE”). He reflects on his romantic relationships (“Breakdown,” “Crash”), his city of Chicago (“Westside Bound Pt. 4”), his Afro-textured hair (“head.rap”), and what God expects of him (“How To Impress God”). For good measure, he adds a touch of braggadocio (“Acts 1.5”). And occasionally, he steps back, letting others take the spotlight (“Reciprocity”).

The final product is multifaceted. Yet it is far removed from the original idea – a simple collection of beats sent by No ID for Saba to rap over. Instead, it is a carefully crafted album. A truly major project, filled with beautiful music that goes well beyond rap. It is a collective work featuring numerous guests: members of Saba’s Pivot Gang, as well as artists such as Kelly Rowland, Raphael Saadiq, Smino, BJ the Chicago Kid, Jean Deaux, and the French-Cuban twins Ibeyi. Across these forty short minutes, Saba and No ID bring together a wealth of sounds, lyrics, and voices – along with a few outstanding moments, like “How To Impress God,” which, beyond pleasing the Almighty, might finally win over those whom Saba had yet to impress.