2021 is undoubtedly a competitive and exciting year in hip-hop. Between Donda, CLB, and an upcoming Kendrick Lamar album, other rappers releasing this year have literal legends to compete with when it comes to getting the attention of fans and the media. One rapper proven to be on that level is Baby Keem with his latest full-length project The Melodic Blue.
Once learning that Baby Keem is the literal cousin of Kendrick Lamar, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear the level of musical brilliance that the 20-year-old rapper brings to the table. After his highly successful debut album in 2018 and sophomore album the following year, Baby Keem returns after a long two years with The Melodic Blue on September 10th.
STREAM The Melodic Blue by Baby Keem
The 16-track, almost hour long album shows every angle and capability of Baby Keem. Quite frankly, every single track on this album hits. And it doesn’t hit just one emotion or vibe, but rather offers a song(s) for essentially any occasion or mood. The album shifts between emotional, vulnerable tracks that are more melodic, and party bangers with crazy flows and hard beats. Keem certainly didn’t play it safe, but in this case it’s what makes the album able to compete with the bests.
The Melodic Blue Shows Baby Keem’s Versatility
Usually when covering an album I would pick out a handful of my favorite tracks to mention and maybe bring up some of the lesser favored tracks. In this case, every track in The Melodic Blue is worth mentioning. The album and order of the tracks are so fluid despite it being so varying, making a run-through of the whole tracklist necessary.
“trademark usa” marks a powerful start to the California rapper’s third full-length project. While not my favorite track of the project, the three separate beats in one fluid song is impressive, as well as the playful and catchy yet assertive vocals. “pink panties” busts through with an ass shaking sample from Che Ecru’s “Fuck….. Instagram,” making it a solid club banger.
The Melodic Blue Features Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver
The third song, “scapegoats,” slows it down with a dreamy interlude-type track. This is only in preparation, though, for Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar to let loose on “range brothers.” This track goes just as hard as the duo’s single from the album, “family ties.” You’ll also hear Kendrick for a third time, with multiple appearances in “vent,” a track that talks about generational wealth in an almost Playboi Carti-esque choppy style.
There were a few tracks that hit especially hard in the feels in The Melodic Blue. With themes of relationships, family matters, the industry, and more, Baby Keem made sure to show his more emotional side throughout the versatile album. “issues” is one those tracks, stringing influence from Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreaks, between the melodic vocals and minimalistic yet intricate beat.
“scars” is another that holds this similar sound, which seems to pull influence from Travis Scott. Which, speaking of, features on the following track “durag activity.” Though he’s a huge name, Scott definitely didn’t outperform Keem either.
The last of the features is “cocoa” with Don Toliver. This track, from the heavy beat to the quirky vocals, goes absolutely bonkers; and it’s not the only track on this album that goes this hard. “booman” and “vent” go wild while “gorgeous” and “first order of business” take a more laid back yet gassed up approach.
Personal Highlights of The Melodic Blue
The remaining tracks to discuss also happen to be my two favorites off of The Melodic Blue. Though the previously mentioned tracks are some of the hardest of the album, nothing quite compares to the seventh track, “south africa.” A sneaky bass-led, piano-assisted beat lays the grounds for Keem’s vocal playground. Baby Keem shows off his breath control and vocal capabilities, slowing down and speeding up, creating an infectious unpredictability.
Lastly, “16” wraps up the album. This tracks takes a much more cinematic approach than the rest of the album. It perfectly embodies the feelings of being in a wholesome yet crumbling relationship, one that has both parties at fault for one reason or another. If you’re freshly out of a relationship, particularly a bittersweet breakup, expect tears when listening.
STREAM The Melodic Blue by Baby Keem
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