The shocking importance of Quadeca (w/Ro Ramdin): "I Didn't Mean to Haunt You" review

A very special episode which begins with a small video essay on Terminally Online Young People and closes with guestpert (guest expert) Ro Ramdin telling us why this album by alleged "KZbin" rapper is actually, just a good album. In fact, a great one. ‪@quadecaX8‬ ‪@roramdin‬
Table of Contents:
0:00Professor Skye’s Opening thoughts (mostly just other people’s thoughts)
33:44 Ro Ramdin Introduces the Album
41:42 Track 1: sorry4dying
43:46 Track 2: Tell Me A Joke
48:40 Track 3: Don’t Mind Me
50:08 Track 4: Picking up hands
55:18 Track 5: Born yesterday
58:47 Track 6: The Memories We Lost in Translation
01:00:14 Track 7: House Settling
01:02:30 Track 8: Knots
01:07:04 Track 9: Fantasyworld
01:12_43 Track 10: Fractins of Infinity
01:24:16 Influences
01:25:14 Rose’s Final Words
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[@roramdin]

Thank you so much for having me! So honored to be a guest professor ❤

[@franta7294]

this is the best collab ever whaaa!?!!!

[@sonewwave8923]

dream collab

[@roramdin]

Also YES the rhythms are so good! I've been thinking lots about just how much this album grooves, can't help but bob my head sometimes.

[@sp7028]

Wo Wamdin this is a fire collab

[@atmbcito]

goat!!

[@janelle7778]

Wow! Thank you so much for the mention Professor! I’m so glad that you took this journey with us to listen to Ben’s artistic journey. ❤

[@obrey__]

I love how attentive and receptive he is with his fan base

[@janelle7778]

@@obrey__ Same! I love that part of him and this channel. It’s such a communal experience.

[@joeyrivers8845]

collab of the century wtf

[@yennefer440]

Not a collab I was expecting but nice nonetheless haha

[@EayuProuxm]

Toyp - a terminally online young person Ooop - outstandingly online older person Professor Skye gifting the academic world with new terminology. Can't wait for papers to start using this jargon.

[@chrilborn4138]

"Ooop" is pretty funny imo lol

[@DanSometimes17]

You’ve psychologically entered and pulled out my subconscious reasoning behind why Quadeca is my favourite artist. The validation that someone who is seen as a KZbin rapper, the little guy, a relatable extension of your artistic desires can express their potential this effectively is enthralling. The story and the removal of validation after death is why the concept album so meaningful and successful. It’s also just amazing, dynamic, emotive and aggressive music. A great video essay from the both of you, you’ve explored the album with deep attention, care and analysis. As a fan of Quadeca since I was 13, and a Ro Ramdin viewer, I am also so excited on the fact you are helping each other artistically, as multi-talented individuals. The professors’ wiser perspective was really interesting too, as a Radiohead emo veteran. I am now parasocially attached to this channel through the subscribe button, just like the 4th dimensional umbilical cord that attaches Quadeca to the astral regret of purgatory, forever. Feeling a strong 7 on this video.

[@idkhomie24]

Why is this just like fantanos review just hyping it up the entire time just to give it a 7 lmao

[@mingkey6726]

golden comment. i laughed out loud

[@vamosatleti8415]

@@idkhomie24 damn fantano

[@nasanoir310]

Coming from someone who loves this album hugely (I'm not editing that out) who deeply understands this album, not everyone who loves this album is a TOYP. I am rarely online, and of the people I've met who love this album, most of them are surprisingly the same crowd who love Bon Iver and Lord Huron and Noah Kahan. This struck me as strange, as there's definitely a disconnect between these artists and genres, so it got me thinking. What resonates so deeply with these people (including myself), and why do others just not get it. I realize that the cold sound of the album might be off-putting upon first listen, but once you dig deep into the lyrics, I think you have the answer. This album is a deep dive into grief. Its not only a dive into losing a loved one, its a deep dive into them losing you. Or you losing yourself, both mentally and physically. It's about adapting to a place you never thought you'd end up. It's about accepting when people move on, and moving on yourself. It's for anyone who ever had a falling out with a friend, and you both want to have nothing to do with them and still a deeper part of you missing them none-the-less. These themes of loss are things that the indie bands I mentioned before all have delved into. The difference is that they hide it with an acoustic sound, while Quadeca uses a onomatopoetic sound that reflects the meaning. So, in the end, age doesn't seem to play that much of a factor, more personal experience and interpretation. Cause whether you like it or not, this album will get a reaction from you. Fantasyworld is the best. Also, I believe that this Quadeca is not only good as a For-A album, but a great, and deep, and beautiful album for any arist, period.

[@odinforfang8573]

As someone who wasn't very familiar with Quadeca, this album really resonated with me because of the song writing, emotional display and incredible storytelling/concept. Haven't connected to a new album like this since Phoebe Bridgers 'Punisher'. This album isn't a "for a" album to me, it's just an amazing, ambitious, album

[@thekathal]

Gotta say I love the Tom MacDonald slander 😂

[@mutethemessiah6513]

I’m actually a 26 year old male rapper from New York lol but thank you for reading my comment I love your videos ❤️

[@bigweld2957]

something id personally like to add to the analysis of specifically cassini's division, is that if you're listening with the visual album, the slow build to static at the end is represented visually as a full black screen with white specks accompanying the little clicks and spots, which eventually build into actual static with the white noise at the end, and something interesting i noticed that im not entirely sure is intentional but i saw the individual white spots as other "souls" or "ghosts" who have gone through the same development and experience ben does through the album, and their prescence makes up the static we see representing the void/abyss/nothingness at the end of life, not silence, but the deafening static of trillions of souls all existing with ben, supporting him as he passes. i feel like this might be the intention though, supported by some of the lines from cassini's division; "i've been trying to move past the crackles and dust scratches, but that's what I am, you know?" to me, this lyric insinuates that he is but a part of the static, along with all the other souls who join him in death. and the last bit of the song before the static; "the static that floods every room stacks on top of itself until it blocks out the picture maybe that's the perfect void that's begging me to join it begging me to let you go, without letting go of you so i can make that void just a little bit brighter for when you see it, until next time" stating that the static is "the perfect void thats begging [him] to join it" and that by letting go of life, and the people he knew, he makes the static just a little bit brighter, adding another white speck, for when they eventually join him. this perspective really made the end of the album so much more meaningful and dramatic for me, and felt like a perfect way to end the album.

[@bigweld2957]

also upon a rewatch, you can actually see the same specks and static overlayed on top of the last crescendo of fantasyworld, not sure what i think it represents, but its interesting to think about

[@jacemozeko4634]

49:57 The sample/singing referred to here is from a church hymn called “It is well with my soul.” We used to sing it all the time in church and it truly is one of the most beautiful a-cappella arrangements. It’s commonly sung at funerals in my experience

[@ringer1324]

Wow really wasn’t expecting you to collab with Ro that’s amazing. This is definitely my AOTY it’s truly a masterpiece in my eyes.

[@TheGlowPt2]

love this collab! great review as always too

[@Lenndoer77]

so excited for this~ You and Ro both are awesome creators!! Also, OOOP needs to catch on

[@matthewborne]

This is an amazing video essay. Love this type of stuff, especially the discussion over the first 30 minutes.

[@maevefitzsimons2506]

you made me feel hope tonight. i’m not sure how to explain why but thank you

[@vervanta]

just the fact you brought up the new defunctland video is amazing. probably the best video uploaded to this site in years

[@karlmaalab]

oh my god two of my favorite KZbinrs with an unexpected collab. Keep up the great work, Professor Skye and Ro!

[@_ericc.]

Dawg, I’ve seen your channel around so much, but this is probably the second or third video I’ve watched fully through. You’re wonderfully meditative and thoughtful. Keep it up

[@Leo-gy8lg]

Amazing to see you review this!! I was one of the many asking you to review this album lol, glad it worked!

[@samhancey]

Skye you are damn near psychic. I'm 19 and just spent my first Thanksgiving alone in the house I grew up in while my parents went for a trip that I couldn't attend because of work. I'm still reeling from IDMTHY and have had it on repeat in my car since it came out on my way to and from work, and you just put everything that I'm feeling beautifully into words that felt so validating. I have never had this feeling about a person talking in a youtube video or connected to an idea so perfectly from a youtube video. Absolutely crazy

[@johnbanks441]

Such thoughtful insights on this amazing work. I'm 57 and just getting back recently listening to contemporary music. I picked up on the hype and interest in Quadecca's album from other KZbin vids and online commentary. Gave it a first listen, intrigued but feeling out of my depth, I found my way here. Thank you Prof and Ro Ramdin for sharing your thoughts on this, greatly helped me to dig more into my listening with it and find new layers of appreciation.

[@NateAlyn]

I am a huge fan of this project and Rose so thank you for creating this video. She’s hilariously descriptive and incredibly introspective. Definitely subscribing!

[@EayuProuxm]

A legendary collaboration I never saw coming. I'm so happy.

[@sleepyhead757]

the collab i never new i needed! an amazing album reviewed by amazing people

[@jhonguedez1294]

I haven't listened to the album yet, but despite that, i still showed up to hear your thoughts on it hahaha. Not because i'm looking for an opinion to base mine, but because you make such an interesting thesis surrounding the subject of study, it basically stands as it's own thought piece. Idk if that makes sense but thank you for putting these videos to the world!

[@ph4370n]

SO GLAD YOU'RE DOING THIS!!! just the other day i was listening to the album and hoping you would do a video on it, but i thought it would be too low-profile for you to cover. very happy surprise!

[@smellsfishi]

beautiful video as always prof ❤️

[@adankpancake]

thank you for giving this a review!!

[@indie6938]

im a silent watcher of your channel and have been for a long time, but i just wanted to let you know the power that your words hold is immense to me. Music is my biggest passion in life and i often take to youtube to watch others analyse and just listen to music that i both know and love, and have never heard before, all because i have very few people in my personal life that enjoy me sharing and talking about music. Your introduction to the album where you speak on validation funnily enough really validated my need for validation. You articulated a feeling ive experienced my whole (17 years) of living. I also wanted to note that you are a very refreshing voice on the youtube music/commentary space for me, and i assume many others. I hope you continue to make these videos for as long as you feel driven to. I will be here watching

[@professorskye]

Thank you

[@patr5902]

Thanks for yet another enlightening video. Thanks for the art.

[@SuperTimtation]

Not that you need the validation but we do love the long videos. You hit the nail on the head when you talk about how it feels to see that a new video is a long one.

[@EayuProuxm]

3:55 I was a younger people, once. Professor Skye, PhD holder, active, employed professor.

[@kingrat1109]

Love the shout out to Big Money Salvia. His and your channel are the only two I follow regularly. 1❤

[@jamosaurusrex4730]

Some of the most genuine and endearing calls to action in any KZbin video ever lmao (also fantastic video ty ty)

[@bertcompton]

I just found this video and your channel and I don’t know if it matches the rest of your channel as much but I would love to see you make a video on his last album From Me to You, or even his styles of rap videos

[@achronos178]

Dope collab need more!

[@Ken-zx4ui]

I had never heard any Quadeca music before this album. Even now I've only heard one other song. I was not familiar with his youtube videos either. His art video for his album popped up in my recommended. I don't listen to that many albums nor do I usually click on random videos. I decided to listen/watch and it touched me deeply. I still can't listen to the album without crying.

[@ElvenWarrior]

I audible screamed "aww" when you said what you did about FD Sig this is like the crossover I never knew i needed.

[@lemi2240]

never really found a place in music review channels, happy to find my stay here!

[@xpyre9236]

Cool to hear the little mention

[@Daltonthecooliolikejulio]

37:45 This. This is it. I would say my music taste wasn’t expanded because of Quadeca, I started listening to rap in 2020 and was a fan of Eminem, NF, but as I started to get out of my comfort zone so did Quad with Sisyphus, to the point where now I was ready to listen to a album like IDMTHY

[@cedartrees2768]

this man LOVES thinking about things it’s beautiful

[@zonkconk3837]

This is my first video I’ve seen from this guy and I love him he’s so sweet

[@michaelastevens7486]

THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT QUADECA HES AMAZING

[@veirglas]

I personally love don’t mind me, it’s so vast and big and hits so hard. It feels so close yet so far the Melodie’s are just insane the chorus is infectious yet heartbreaking and I keep feeling like I have to defend it even though it was the song I was least excited for just based on title!

[@shrimpscampin]

I missed so much especially about the suicide aspect, also loved how ro touched on the sound of the guitars on picking up hands

[@phuncc]

AYOO GOATED COLLAB MOMENT

[@PurpleZebras150]

1:07:00 I interpreted Fractions of Infinity a little differently. I thought he was saying that who we really are is so much more than who people (even our closest friends and family) think we are. Like the people around us only view a fraction of the infinite complexity of who we are (and that's why "Those words don't do you justice"). I think that also is such a powerful message about the value of our lives because we are each so unique and there is so much to who we are that it's just impossible for people to understand us fully. It kind of reminds me of the concept that there is an infinite amount of numbers between .999999... and 1. Like on a grand, universal scale we are fractions of infinity, but also on a small, interpersonal scale, the person other people think we are is just an infinitely small fraction of who we truly are (and also everyone has their own unique "fraction" of understanding of who we are). I love seeing the infinite fractions in both directions with that understanding. Fractions of Infinity is my favorite track also, in large part because of the lyrical content. Beautifully produced album. I had never heard of Quadeca before this and I was shocked at the maturity of instrumentation, lyrics and delivery, mixing, effects, etc. while listening to this album. Have listened to it like 50+ times since release. Thanks for the deep, thoughtful review from multiple perspectives (Professor Skye, Ro Ramdin, other people's comments). I think one of the most amazing things about art is we can all have different interpretations which are all still valid.

[@Multi-Waves_Sketchbook]

I'm having troubles trying to find the correct video to nominate an album for your perspective on, but I am excited by the idea of you reviewing "Hi this is flume" and perhaps "palaces" but mainly his mixtape has such an otherworldly sound to it and I'd love to hear you talk about it. Sincerely, a new fan (friend just introduced me to you)

[@Multi-Waves_Sketchbook]

Just found out you don't review old albums my bad!

[@whereisawesomeness]

The point you make at 26:20 or so, ‘there’s something that you learn by imitating,’ is extremely valuable. I personally learnt that in a creative writing 101 class at university, where several times a week we had to imitate the style of a prescribed author, and it was one of the most valuable lessons of my entire degree (which wasn’t even in creative writing, it was a double major in philosophy and literary studies!). Some exercises weren’t even that, they were simply copying out a passage by hand, forcing yourself to sit with each word for an extended period of time. Learning to appreciate the work of another person at that deep of a level is crucial, imo.

[@shrimpscampin]

two artists that grew immensely in maturity over the course of their careers are Tyler, The Creator and Mac Miller. easily two of my favorites of all time, due mainly to their evolutions. i wonder a lot where Mac would've taken his art if he had more time on Earth

[@sadloveshootingstar]

ayy i love the velvet underground poster!! thats cool

[@ejakeulate4058]

i know you’re probably insanely busy but do you plan on doing a video about the newest king gizzard album? i think you would love it!

[@isaaccalalang7832]

Love this video

[@bidtles]

That catharsis of realized potential nails it. See glimpses of greatness as a goofy kid recording into voice memo apps. See a glimpse that he can really produce, see a glimpse that his pen can be great, see glimpses of his genre mixing. And now it all comes together. The part of him trying to get his fans to expand to better music is on point as well. He grew up during thr mumble rap takeover on a platform entirely anti mumble rap, but he was always preaching it's just an evolution, it's a new form, old heads need to just appreciate the music, and would incorporate that style into some of his stuff. He had serious mental health stuff. Melodic stuff, and super obnoxious Crunk stuff, blended lots of worlds. His appreciation of different styles and genres has always rubbed off onto his fans. Also before he even got into rap he was into creating dofferent/new melodies, cared about the sound not the lyrics, then got into lyricism and rap, and now its come full circle. Melodies with limited lyrics, but the lyrics he does use really hit. He said he made the album for him, not the fans, but the fans appreciated it anyway. Everyone's just happy for him/ proud in a way

[@trysiloring7164]

Videogamedunkey is my favorite artist of all time you really made me cry when you mentioned him out of nowhere

[@JoshBurcham104]

Long videos forever ❤️

[@quadecamashups]

Brief explanation of idmthy: The character of the album is a version of Quadeca who follows through on taking his own life. He was stuck in a life he felt was not worth living and he became fascinated by the idea of not existing so he took his own life. To his surprise he ascends into a ghostly form of himself and quickly begins to regret his decision. He watches over his family as they move on from his death and he becomes desperate to communicate with them as he feels like he is being forgotten. In a moment of weakness and selfishness, he sets off a carbon monoxide leak with the hopes of his mother being able to see him in the hallucinations. This attempt to communicate failed and he almost ended up killing his mother. He is overwhelmed with guilt, loneliness, and the idea of being forgotten causing him to have a panic attack. After calming down, he reflects on the moments leading up to his suicide with a newfound perspective gaining some amount of closure. “let me go but don’t let go of me”. He is then able to enter the void and become consumed by static as he achieves his original goal of not existing. Only this time he wishes he could be alive with his loved ones.

[@wubz508]

PLEASE watch the movie alongside the album its phenomenal

[@axlgzrdmattick]

It's amazing seeing the mistakes,i agree.

[@axlgzrdmattick]

This is a historical moment!

[@ivorizak1851]

Where did you get that Kafka picture in the back? The text on the bottom is in Czech so I’m really interested in the story behind it

[@professorskye]

From the Kafka museum in Prague. Sadly, it’s out of print.

[@Theocomicman]

Professor, what are the titles of your bandcamp albums? Btw, thanks for not reviewing Tom Mcdonald lol

[@megan-jg9up]

great video

[@sniss]

COLLAB OF THE CENTURY!

[@AboveItsNeck]

This is the greatest cross-over least expected

[@remyboyzz399]

HOLY SHIT A RO RAMDIN FEATURE? This is like the Gen Z equivalent to Loonatics Unleashed!

[@patr5902]

31:46 this reminds me of flash fiction. Very short form is more difficult than most assume.

[@gooodels]

i think quadeca's growth as an internet rapper is really really meaningful to us obscure internet artists too, it just resonates really strongly.

[@maxfilip971]

Hello professor, I am a student of English and American literature at the Charles University in Prague. I wanted ask you if it were at all possible and if you would allow me to use a quote from your video about Kendrick Lamar's ''Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers'' for a presentation I'm doing in class. I also commented on the Kendrick video in hope you will see it and answer. Thank you.

[@johnnyflamevlogz8203]

Oh wow that Crank Lucas shoutout takes me back

[@stay_puft]

I never heard of Tom MacDonald so I googled him and saw he's from the town Mission, that's where Carly Rae Jepsen is from.

[@Crazyferret25]

It’s crazy you said a 23 year old in Peoria Illinois because I’m 23 and drive through peroria for work lol

[@jaden.jitter]

absolute goat

[@insertrandomnamehere]

W collab!!

[@shrimpscampin]

on the topic of imitation and learning thru it, I've become a much better singer by both singing along with artists (having fun with System of a Down lately) trying to sound like the artists exactly AND singing in my own voice

[@haroldushawkinsi5804]

Imitating is a great way of finding what qualities are hardest to replicate in an artist, and also what qualities u have yourself. Sometimes I get annoyed if I come up with an idea that sounds like some other song or musician, but it's not really a problem, just a demonstration of how much I've absorbed a certain style.

[@wardpaine8194]

This odd great!

[@griffingreer7293]

good video

[@abuslang5715]

13:40 very true

[@atmbcito]

RO COLLAB!!!

[@triplekilltimmy]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that went and hugged my dog when I heard picking up hands

[@Sunny-jw8mr]

Please do Smino's Luv4Rent - new album that dropped on the 28th last month Smino is one of the most unique and talented rappers of this new generation, he's going to co-headline a tour with J.I.D

[@lunalunaluna666]

omg ro freaking ramdin the greatest youtuber everrrrr...... on the professor skye video!?!?!

[@samsei]

Roooo!

[@idkhomie24]

I also disagree about Born Yesterday. Maybe I'm wrong but I interpreted it more as him being upset his mother moved on so quickly and seems to be fine without him. The line "she doesn't need you" is repeated like 20 times throughout the song and I feel that shows he's more like "I'm not dumb I know you didn't care and already moved on, I wasn't born yesterday" Again maybe Quad has spilled the entire story to Ro and she knows better but I feel like you can't just gloss over the repeating line about his mom not needing him anymore.

[@bertcompton]

I think I just learned that I have trauma related to drunk driving too and that may be why I’m scared of being on the road, even as a driver

[@willoverdoseonmusic]

Thanks for the inclusion of my comment!

[@aheroinheroin]

DO Y'ALL HEAR ME SCREAM?!!!!!!

[@idkhomie24]

Me scratching at my screen right above Ro's head thinking I had something on my screen lmao

[@wardpaine8194]

I meant this is great!

[@vsxrn7]

Quadeca is the greatest musician of

[@bertcompton]

I haven’t finished the video yet and I’m not implying that you made any specific claims but to answer the question posed at the beginning, no. This is not a good album “for a youtube rapper,” it’s just a good album. Now I recognize that I am certainly biased and I’ve followed Quadeca for a long time now, but I don’t think that that takes away from the fact that this is a work of art. The album tells a tragic and beautiful story with amazing production and creates a feeling that little art can create. I understand my bias but in my mind it’s undeniable that this album is great and being a long time fan only makes it better.

[@pluto8015]

LONG VIDEOS!!

[@maikawest7739]

Not AOTY like a lot of people say but it’s a cool album that isn’t afraid to play around and experiment

[@aaronmz]

27:56

[@Stamnley]

On the whole quadeca trying to influence his fans to listen to other music, I've been listening to Danny Brown a lot since hearing house settling and relly enjoying it so I guess it works.

[@vic1123]

" It's not stumbling, it's finding your thoughts "

[@1machuu1]

(kwah-duh-kuh)

[@retnugnahte]

you are very distinguished