Baby Keem is one of the most intriguing young artists in rap right now. His music feels unpredictable, sometimes chaotic, sometimes hypnotic, but always full of energy. What really makes him stand out is his ability to blend sharp, bouncy production with interesting flows and melodies that feel completely unique to him. He’s got an ear for beats, a talent for writing hooks that get stuck in your head, and a voice that can shift from a menacing growl to a playful, almost sing-song delivery in an instant.
I first came across Baby Keem in 2021 at the Day N Vegas festival. At the time, I knew his name but hadn’t fully dived into his music. Seeing him live, though, I could immediately tell why he was blowing up: his energy was infectious and his stage presence undeniable. That performance made me want to dig deeper into his catalog.
Of course, a big part of Keem’s early buzz came from his connection to Kendrick Lamar. As his cousin, it’s impossible to ignore how much that co-sign helped shape his career early on. Features and industry connections all played a role in getting people to pay attention. But over time, Keem has been proving that he’s more than just "Kendrick’s cousin". He’s carving out his own lane, and with each project, you can hear him evolving into his own artist.
Since he mostly performed songs off his latest album The Melodic Blue, I decided to listen to that first, which was hands down my favorite Baby Keem project so far. The production was more refined, his flows were sharper, and he had fully leaned into his ability to mix melody with hard-hitting rap. “trademark usa” was an insane opener, setting the tone right away. “vent” and “range brothers” had that unpredictable, chaotic energy that made them impossible to ignore. “lost souls” and “south africa” showed off his smoother, moodier side, and “booman” was straight-up infectious. This album felt like the moment Keem truly stepped into his own.
After this, I dived into his earlier projects with The Sound of Bad Habit, his first album. I liked a couple of tracks: “Baby Keem” and “Gang Activities” stood out, but overall the project didn’t really stick with me. It felt like he was still figuring things out, experimenting with his style. His next project, DIE FOR MY B****, is where I really started to pay attention. Tracks like “STATS,” “MOSHPIT,” “ORANGE SODA,” and “FRANCE FREESTYLE” showed his range, from high-energy bangers to smoother, more melodic moments. It was clear that Keem had found something that worked for him, and the confidence in his delivery was undeniable.
Right now, I think Keem is at a turning point. He’s proven that he’s more than just Kendrick’s cousin, and his sound is getting more distinct with every release. If he keeps pushing himself, experimenting, and refining his style, I think he has the potential to be one of the most exciting voices in rap moving forward. I’m definitely looking forward to whatever he drops next.
Comments
Post a Comment