Saba & No I.D. just dropped something special with From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D.—and before we even hit play, that album cover speaks volumes. A condemned building, a picture of George’s Music Room, and Mr. Daniels (George) himself, one of the biggest Black music distributors in America. If you were in the music industry before the internet took over—when cassettes, CDs, and vinyl were King—you know how iconic that store was on Chicago’s West Side. I spent a lot of time in there, setting up album displays, organizing meet-and-greets, and even helping out at block parties. Scarface threw one in that adjacent lot many moons ago, and it was legendary.

So, when I saw Saba paying tribute to George’s, I knew this album was gonna be fire. Saba is a proud West Sider, and this felt like a statement

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A Personal Connection – Meeting Saba

I first met Saba about 13 years ago at the WBEZ Vocalo Winter Block Party. I was there documenting the B-Boy battle, and I got to witness Saba at the beginning of his rise. Here’s a clip of him performing You Know Saba back then:

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The Music – Soul, Bars & That No I.D. Production

Saba and No I.D. waste no time setting the tone. We come right out the gate with soulful hooks from BJ The Chicago Kid & Eryn Allen Kane on Every Painting Has a Price. Then Boom! Breakdown hits with that Janet Jackson “I Get Lonely” sample, and that hard horn stop—No I.D.!!

Next up is Crash featuring Raphael Saadiq & Kelly Rowland—this one will definitely touch a lot of women. Three songs in, and not a single flaw.

Then we get Woes of the World—bars over a hard beat! No I.D. really crafted a soundscape for Saba to paint his stories on.

Stop Playing with Me is a dope interlude—the bass and piano running hard. Lyrically, it feels like a throwback to You Know Sab.

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West Side Energy – The Heart of the Album

When Westside Bound Pt. 4 hits, it’s Chicago to the core. In this city, your Blackness is often measured by whether you’re a West Sider or South Sider—and Saba makes it clear he’s repping that West Side heavy. Halfway through the song, No I.D. flips the beat UGLY—man, this joint even had my North Side self chanting ‘Westside’! 🔥🔥🔥

Then there’s Head Rap, featuring Madison McFerrin, OGI, and Jordan Ward in the background—for me, this is the best single to introduce the world to this album.

No I.D. STOP PLAYING WITH THESE KIDS!!!

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The Deeper Cuts – Saba’s Growth on Display

• Reciprocity (feat. Ibeyi) – The sisters shine on this interlude, smooth and reflective.
• Stomping – Easy, smooth, another winner.
• The Big Picture – The beat machine is WORKING. Those drums slap, and Saba continues painting cinematic stories.
• How to Impress God (feat. Jean Deaux) – The tempo drops, and Jean Deaux delivers. This is straight-up Chicago mentality—no matter what you achieve in The Chi, is it ever enough to impress God?
• She Called It – More soulful rhythms, continuing the themes of How to Impress God. There’s a bar in here that really resonates: continue the good fight, and “He” will be good to you.

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Closing Out Strong

The final track, A Few Good Songs (feat. Smino, OGI & Love Mansuy), wraps the album beautifully. Good flows, solid production, and a real joy to hear.

There aren’t many albums I can play from start to finish, but this is one of them. No I.D. did what No I.D. always does—gave an artist the perfect canvas to shine. And Saba? He’s continuing to grow, both as a man and an artist. His storytelling is elevating, and he’s speaking in VOLUME.

Saba understands how to craft powerful poems that hit deep, making you think while you nod your head. This is Chicago through and through. So go ahead, press play, and enjoy the vision and heart of a true West Sider—Saba.

#OneLove