DaBaby is officially out of ideas.
His surprise EP, Back On My Baby Jesus Sh!t Again, continues his race to strip everything that was originally interesting about him. Instead of leaning on his strengths of charisma and head spinning staccato flow, DaBaby doubles down on trying to be a melodic rapper, singing more than he needs to. His lack of energy also runs contrast with his skills, using a drugged-out reverb and sounding as if he took a few too many Quaaludes.
“DRAWS” uses the same flute he’s continued to recycle from “BOP” considering it worked once. “5 For A Dub” has him trying his hand as a melodic rapper, if that’s even a fair term to use. No amount of vocal effects can fix DaBaby’s painfully weak singing, and the direct rip off of NBA Youngboy’s aggressive speed flow, with a tinge of melody, makes it obvious who he’s trying to emulate. The style only works when there’s some pain or something of substance to say; DaBaby offers neither.
There are times where DaBaby decides to be a good rapper. “Roof” is a throwback to what he does best: flex rap with a give no fucks attitude coupled with a competent producer (London On Da Track) who knows how to rattle trunks. It’s the same style that made him HipHopDX’s rapper of the year in 2019. He goes back to sing rapping on “Look Like Sumn” but stays within his range and doesn’t strain his voice too much, which helps. He also decides to rap, another element that makes the song listenable, even if it’s nothing special.
Some of the other songs on the project feel so out of place and unnecessary, “Sticked Up” being the worst offender. Supported by a serene choir, DaBaby comes in like a drunk cousin late for Sunday Service. His harsh adlibs, strange Auto-Tuned threats and deliberate disregard for the production around him makes for a song that serves no purpose other than to annoy. At least 21 Savage collects a paycheck.
DaBaby’s antics have become the focal point while making good music is an afterthought. That’s true of many other rappers, but in DaBaby’s case, it’s painfully clear he could be good if he stopped sabotaging himself.
Even when he delivers a solid verse where he outdoes a legendary rapper (Kanye West’s “Jail Pt.2”), it’s undercut by deliberate trolling, yet this desire for people to give him respect. If Back On My Baby Jesus Sh!t Again is an indication of where DaBaby is going in his career, he better have more stunts and controversies planned.
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Critics may have moved on from their initial praise of DaBaby, but critical acclaim doesn’t lead to dollar signs.
It’s clear DaBaby can survive being a jackass, his homophobic rant at Rolling Loud and subsequent poor apology attempts haven’t hurt his Billboard numbers and YouTube views. All he has to do is make good music again. Because the biggest issue with DaBaby isn’t his character, poor taste or even being openly unprogressive in a genre that’s dealing with a major homophobia reckoning — the music isn’t interesting.
This EP is proof of the public growing tired of DaBaby’s schtick, failing to chart a single in the Billboard Hot 100 and barely scraping out a spot on the Hip Hop Song charts with “Roof” debuting at No. 32 of 40. He’s proven in the past he can make good music, despite believing labels, other artists, PC culture and progressives are trying to keep him down.
In 2019, DaBaby was the hottest rapper in the world; two years later and people want to put the binky back in his mouth.
I have honestly never liked an album from him. In my mind his strengths make him a great singles artist. He bombastic, charismatic, and all over the place, which goes perfect for the club and radio hits he usually does. After listening to the albums he’s made, I don’t think he has enough styles or things to say to make one complete, cohesive project. There’s nothing wrong with living off of singles, but it does make this project kinda weak.Still, can’t rate it too low at least he kept it short.
Dude you a clown. DaBaby never made Bad project.
TRASH
????
DAMN!!!, I’ve been a fan of Dababy, since he started his career, SHHHT!, must really hit him off his game. I still respect the guard . He is still by far one of the realist KATTZ!!!, in the game.
Album was fire. This is nothing more than DABABY haters.
Album fire.
The shit sounds pretty good! I’m with it!!! Someone blows a little wind on your fire it’s hard to get it back lit again, that’s what he’s going through, just need to do a couple collabs with some good stars.
Pretty good album ?
Dope album ?
It’s a very dope album DaBaby did ?
Tf this ain’t sh*t
Walk em down #Baby?✊???
It sucks @$$
What happened? I was expecting fire but all I got was smoke signals. It’s like he’s lost all his momentum, creativity,drive, and just pushing out the music just to run out his contract instead of just making money or for the love of the game or fans. This is just that BS. We don’t want this. Go back to your roots, man.
if that roof track was his best It sucks @$$
Top 5 Wackest Rapper Of All Time.