Formerly known as Miss Bank$, 2011 became a breakout year for Azealia Banks thanks to the best House inspired Hip Hop record in decades through “212” featuring Belgian producer Lazy Jay. In a timespan where the lines between electronic music and traditional sonics of the culture began to blur, Harlem’s new “it girl” essentially created her own musical lane inspired by a seemingly forgotten Hip Hop sub-genre. There was fire starting crassness that lead to popular phrases like “I guess that cunt getting eaten” made better by Bank’s effective rhyming ability and singing. Unfortunately, that same molten attitude transitioned to a bunch of petty Twitter confrontations among other controversies. Saving Banks’ reputation were sporadic singles along with the 2012’s critically loved 1991 EP and Fantasea mixtape. Following a few years worth of label issues and various celebrity spats, she surprisingly released her debut Broke With Expensive Taste. Proving her worth, Banks has dropped an anomaly; and a delightfully refreshing one at that. Not only does BWET provide some of 2014’s most unique Hip Hop, but creates a sonically groundbreaking debut from a female not seen since Missy Elliot’s Supa Dupa Fly. Banks wisely channels the same attitude used to make her an industry joke this side of Trinidad James and Chief Keef. The effect? Creating a brilliant body of work that’s fun, aggressive and over-the-top. If Missy’s debut followed Lil Kim’s Hardcore, BWETmarks itself the first truly great post-Nicki album.
Before Banks left Interscope, two singles were released for BWET; “Young Rapunxel” and “ATM Jam” featuring Pharrell. Both duds failed to make an impression on the charts for the exact reason why the album succeeds. As Missy set the initial blue-print for approaching Timbaland’s production, Bank’s cleverly delivers her vocal performances through top-notch production from relative unknowns outside the Pop and Hip Hop world. However, those who follow the pedigree of electronic producers like Machinedrum, Lil Internet Lone, Lazy J and even AraabMuzik to an extent will know exactly how to approach BWET. Banks utilizes music video director and beat maker Lil Internet for the industrial inspired “Young Rapunxel,” a track that wouldn’t feel too out-of-place in a 90s Prodigy video. Though more than a year old, the track still fits nicely sonically within the album’s context. It’s also frustratingly limiting, as she runs headlong into the upper quadrant of her skillset, maniacally flipping bars about, essentially, nothing. Thankfully, “ATM Jam” is no-where to be found within BWET’s hour play-through. Partly because Pharrell’s production and presence simply would have sounded dated, ironic considering how old most of BWET instrumentals are in the first place. The two singles released from Banks in wake of major label divorce, “Heavy Metal and Reflective”(also produced by Lil Internet) and “Chasing Time,” are arguably BWET’s better examples of the project.
BWET’s ballsy moments all come courtesy of Banks. Album highlight “Gimme A Chance” best describes those musical set pieces. Beginning as a funk inspired tune where she rhymes her aspirations(I’m dreaming it big / 2Pac it Shakur!), it ends on a latin note where Banks sings and raps in Spanish with deft and campy proficiency. Modern surf rock nice-try “Nude Beach A Go Go” may or may not become a jarring moment for some considering it’s ironic meta-ness does nothing for the album as a whole other than to show off Azealia’s prodigious talent. Regardless, there’s a unique tonality to Banks’ voice which works well on its own terms. Tracks closer to contemporary Hip Hop standards like “BBD” and “Ice Princess” feature unique creative angles, though they can also be seen as outside the overall flow of the record.
Overall, Banks does a great job of keeping the focus on her. Even Theophilus London’s guest-spot on “JFK” doesn’t dilute but compliment.
Banks can be called a lot of things, one thing that she can’t be labeled is predictable. That mantra is delivered in spades in BWET. There’s a deep level of spindled focus past the surface sounding schizophrenia. In a time where every emerging rap or pop wanna-be yearns for Mike Will Made It and DJ Mustard productions, Banks defiantly gives trends the middle finger like everyone else she’s beefed with in her hyper political early industry history. BWET is a chaotic album from an equally chaotic specimen. And for everything it does well, it also suffers from it’s anthology like etymology. Tracks plucked out of the ether by Banks after, somehow, Interscope let her go with the rights to what she made there, it’s a kaleidoscope of sounds that feels like a best of instead of a debut. It’s jarringly airy, flitting about and flouting conventions at every turn, and it’s sometimes so steeped in it’s 90s house past that it undermines its own velocity. Still, the debut is an open world look at what for too long has been a closed genre, and, like her or not, Banks’ BWET is a true alternative to the young money princess and the Harlem harlequin is plowing a lane of her own.
Its a great album, go and get a copy, worth it.
No heterosexual male has any business coppin that thing.
music is music if you don’t own a mc lyte album you fail
Wait wait wait. “no heterosexual male has no business coppin that thing”
You sound pathetic and boring. Let me guess, you prefer a trap beat with lyrics about selling drugs?? You my friend, will grow up to be a wannabe thug woman beater, if not already. The fact that you have to label music as gay or str8 is such an asinine comment. im unsure if I should track your IP address and smack the hell out of you or stick a broom up your *** to show you what being homosexual really is. Music for one, is not gay or str8 bruh. The fuq.
^ lol madd butt hurt by the comment. probobly is banks
Well if you think music has something to do with your sexuality then you maybe you have insecurity problems
co-sign
Finally an album worth listening to. I like her bc she has talent. What surprised me was she started to sing! And she actually sounds good. Her whole album is fresh.
Best Hip-Hop album of the year. AZEALIA BANKS SLAY!!!
This is one of the best album of the year. This chicks can sing, rap she have a really good flow.
I can’t call her trash. I’ve never heard her. But I did just listen to the two songs posted above and I can’t feel her one bit, one ounce….at all.
Sometimes being different isn’t for everybody’s ears. This article praises her “house music” influences. Well some hip-hop listeners (like myself) just can’t stomach somebody rapping over something at a house, or EDM or whatever the hell they call it these days tempo. I’m sure she has her audience. That’s cool. But some of us have to be able to bob our head to your music at a comfortable tempo to listen to it.
What? House has always been part of Hip Hop. Stop pretending you are a hip hop head when you are not. EDM is something completely different, u dont knw ur genres.
“At a comfortable tempo to bob my head to” ROFL wtf? Comfortable tempo what is that? You dont know what music is. Stick to RnB
I really get what you are saying. Some people dont like rappers on house beats. Me personally, i would rather hear her on a hiphop beat. But hearing her spit tho, omg, that chick bad for reals man. She has bars, and she’s definately tougher than most male rappers out there. I’ve grown very fond of her.
See Redman: “I got a secret”.
Reggie Noble over a Ronnie Size beat. You argument is invalid.
Everyone has their own taste. No big deal. However, the only song on the album that fits into EDM is Yung Rapunxel. But yes, about half of the album is based in house music or some derivative.
“What” is actually azaliea banks defending herself lmao
10/10 hot as shit constant replay value illuminati confirmed new whitney houston hip hop female artist 2015
shut up banks ur lame
This album is straight garbage.
All this stupid whore gets is 1 star
No doubt at all, Azealia has been slept on.
I’ll give this album 4.5 ( a little higher than DX).
Without a question this girl can spit, she has flow, she has the bars (not in all songs), and she’s definately tougher than most male rappers out there.
I’ve grown really fond of Azealia. In my eyes, definately the best female rapper.
I would’ve rate Nicki higher if she kept the same style, flow and witty charm she had coming in the game. She kind of destroyed that whole image with Anaconda, only and all the other shit songs she produced as of lately.
Azealia tho.. Well.. I cant see her sell her soul to be honest. She gon’ do what she do at all times. And honestly she’s such a badass when she spits. Get me really going.
Would like to see her on some hiphop beats tho.
“Definitely the best female rapper”
Jean Gray would like a word with you…
snow tha product wud shit on both them
your mama shoulda swallowed. garbage ass music
I’m sure your mom thinks this every day about you.
get fOH
It’s a bit all over the place sonically, and the inclusion of some old-as songs is alarming, but overall it’s a strong effort. Her perspective is unique and strange enough but still relatable. She’s a versatile vocalist and has a good ear for beats. Hopefully she won’t wait too long to put out something else.
AMAZING ALBUM
WORTH THE WAIT
a little bit of everything
im giving thanks 4 this album on turkey day STRAIGHT UP SO∏
I give her a 10 – her sound is Chicago garage House, like Frankie Knuckles meet rap, and I am not a fan of house music. No one sounds like Azealia and you guys are right, she will not sell out rap like the males have been doing
She talks too much and is burning every bridge with other artists, she will be a memory soon.
People have been saying this for years. If it didn’t stop her career when she didn’t have an album, it sure as hell isn’t going to now that she has an acclaimed album.
Nope.
good album, however musically unfocused, already looking forward to her next
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, how are you a TRUE hip-hop head when you’re praising todays “hip-hop” which consists of the same trap, DJ mustard inspired tracks and downplaying a fresh cohesive album, and calling it “garbage”? Theres nothing refreshing thats being released that deserves attention like Azealia – from beats, to lyrics shes definitely talented and deserves more credit, especially with the positive reviews of her album. If only people could learn to embrace creativity and stop following top 40 or whats familiar, the music world would be way more interesting.
For those who are hard pressed about Azealia creating too much beef which is destroying her image, since when does posting YOUR opinion on YOUR twitter denote “beef”? Its media who reports it as beef. Not her. Rather than focus on someones personal life, focus on the other shit like her music, or dont focus at all.
Great album! Very impressive debut from a rapper, showing much talent, creativity, and promise. Frankly, better than the debuts of her male and female peers.
YASSSS BITCH SLAAAAAYY
her singing is good. but her rapping skills are garbage. i respect the fact she had around 15k fans that were willing to buy her shit and support it. i respect it. but her twitter personality and flo and lyrics is garbage. her singing is decent tho! and im sure shes LOLing madd hard cuz she outsold angel haze who completely destroyed banks in their little rap battle. still tho in order of dopest femcees
1. Snow tha Product
2. Jean Gray
3. nobody else matters
wack
wack
This is one of the best albums of 2014, it’s been on repeat for awhile. I don’t understand how anyone can say she can’t spit, are y’all listening?
This music ain’t for everyone, but give praise where it’s due. We need more diversity.
This album will have huge influence, watch.
I totally agree she can spit and sing.She can also put on show.She is very unique and eccentric.
nah….maybe its good pop music to you. but to the rest of us this bitch is wack lyrically, flow, and creative concepts. only thing she got going for her is that she can sing to. she wud be a great pop artist, but as far as hiphop and rap. this bitch is garbage
meh
co-signed
There’s something about this bitch that gets my dick hard I have no idea why tho
It’s a great album.
One of the best release this year, really innovative, people are sleeping on Azealia because of twitter mess, she’s a lot more than that.
Album of the year. Easily.
One of the top 5 female MCs.
azebra bankrupt sucks
good stuff