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“11 Songs Where Rappers (And a Singer) Keep It Basic AF” features music courtesy of  6ix9ine, Drake, Iggy Azalea, Lil Xan, and Quavo among others.

“This is why I’m hot: I don’t gotta rap / I could sell a mill sayin’ nothin’ on the track.”  Unfortunately for those of us who enjoy some substance in our music, MIMS has a point on his former no. 1 hit, “This is Why I’m Hot.”  Ugh! Honestly, did MIMS say much on his 2007 hit? Hell nah he didn’t!  Furthermore, the rappers (and one R&B singer) that appear on this particular playlist, 11 Songs Where Rappers (And a Singer) Keep It Basic AF, have very little to say.  In other words, the lyrics and the songs themselves tend to be #basic.  In fact, our selection for the 11^th song on this playlist isn’t one specific song – it encompasses the majority of the album! Now that’s some #BASIC stuff right there! Musicians fueling the fire for this basic AF playlist include 6ix9ine, Drake, Iggy Azalea, Lil Xan, and Quavo among others.

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1. Lil Xan, “The Man”

Ft. $teven Cannon

Total Xanarchy • Warner Bros. • 2018 

“I fuck dat bih, yeah, I fuck dat bih, yeah.” “The Man” is a shallow banger – emphasis on shallow.  On the hook, Lil Xan is incredibly cocky: “God damn, god damn Lil Xanny the man.” The verses don’t change the trajectory.  On the first verse, he asserts haters hate him because he’s successful.  Among his successes is the fact that he “fucked his dream ho.” Given the fact that she is a ho, “That bih don’t love me, she just want dick, aye.” Ugh! $teven Cannon arrives for the second verse, also focused on sex, including stating, “I need fellatio.”  As clumsy as “The Man” is, not to mention the irresponsible music video, it represents one of the better moments from Total Xanarchy for what it’s worth.  That said, we all know that Total Xanarchy is nothing short of a total mess – straight up musical trash.

2. Lil Xan, “Wake Up”

Total Xanarchy • Warner Bros. • 2018

Might as well give Lil Xan another spot on this Basic AF playlist.  “The Man” is bad, but arguably “Wake Up” is even more horrendous. Yep, “Wake Up” is among the most embarrassing, offensive moments from an equally embarrassing debut album, Total Xanarchy. This utterly brainless, brief joint lacks even the slightest bit of nutritional value.  Folks, there’s no fiber, no protein, and no vitamins. If there is silver lining (there really isn’t), it comes by way of an utterly dumb hook that easily gets stuck in one’s head: “Ay, I wake up, I throw up, I feel like I’m dead.” Somehow, he strings together two verses and a bridge, but the result is platitude after tired platitude.  There’s a reason why “Wake Up” landed a ‘coveted’ spot as the second worst song of 2018. Only Bella Thorne’s totally cringe-worthy “B*tch I’m Bella Thorne” could top him.

3. Kanye West, “Lift Yourself Up”

Lift Yourself Up – Single • Def Jam • 2018

Also making a reprisal from The 17 Worst Songs of 2018 is the one and only Kanye West, who managed to make a true ass of himself throughout 2018. “But they don’t realize, though…This next verse, this next verse though…These bars…Watch this some shit, go.” West often finds ways to offend and piss of just about everybody. A number of fans were rethinking their ‘Kanye love’ following his profession of ‘Trump love’, something he addresses on single “Ye Vs the People” (featuring T.I.). Including that sketchy single crossed my mind, but at least he’s expressing his views, despite how offensive and troubling they may be.  “Lift Yourself” finds West totally missing the mark, with was no lift whatsoever on the shot, sigh.  The production isn’t the problem in the least – it’s Kanye.  When he urges listeners to “watch this some shit, go,” he fails to tell them just how utterly childish and ridiculous it actually is.

This is one of many Kanye West ‘troll’ moves. I quote:

“Poopy-di scoop

Scoop-diddy-whoop

Whoop-di-scoop-di-poop

Poop-di-scoopty.”

4. Iggy Azalea, “Kream”

Ft. Tyga

Survive the Summer (EP) • Island • 2018

“Ass / Cash, cash / Ass, bags / Bad / ‘Cash rules everything around me’.” On “Kream”, Iggy Azalea literally focuses on two things: ass and money. From the beginning, it’s clear that Azalea and featured guest Tyga both have the strip club in mind, and that’s about all. The production sounds readymade for an ‘adult club,’ while the content matches that sentiment.  Following the intro, the hook is repetitive, gimmicky, centered around the classic Wu-Tang lyric from “C.R.E.A.M.”.

On the first verse, Iggy amplifies the toughness, exhibiting confidence while dropping pop culture references (Sex Pistols, Bella Hadid), sex, and money.  As for Tyga, he’s in his zone, spitting utter filth (“Deep in that pussy, ya I’m drowning) and bragging about money and status (“My n*ggas like Golden State, inbound, pull up and shoot”). “Kream” ‘is what it is’ – a lustful, sexed-up banger.

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5. Drake, “I’m Upset”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

“I’m upset / Fifty thousand on my head, it’s disrespect / So offended that I had to double check / I’ma always take the money over sex /That’s why they need me out the way / What you expect?” Some have characterized “I’m Upset”, a Drake single appearing on is 2018 double album, Scorpion, as a dud.  Why? Drizzy keeps it basic AF, getting in his feelings by merly asserting that he’s upset. Well, at least he delivers biting, un-pitched rhymes… maybe biting isn’t quite the right term. Besides his flow, at least his state of being upset yields a memorably basic hook, and definitely a more impressive backdrop.

6. 6ix9ine, “STOOPID”

Ft. Bobby Shmurda

DUMMY BOY • Scumgang • 2018

“Bitch, I’m lit on the ‘Gram, a million likes, you see my shit / A bitch DM for the dick, but I probably wouldn’t hit…” Rapper 6ix9ine is undoubtedly the ‘poster child’ of controversy – he’s quite the polarizing figure. He ‘had a moment’ with his breakout hit, “FEFE” featuring Nicki Minaj, but falls flat on the opener from DUMMY BOY (his debut studio  album),  “STOOPID”, featuring Bobby Shmurda. Honestly, “STOOPID” has a fitting title given its utter stupidity – its definitely the perfect example of a song that’s basic AF. The single commences with an annoying, pitch-shifted vocal intro.  To make it even more annoying, it’s pitched up as opposed to down.  6ix9ine returns to form, dropping screamed, aggressive vocals sounding as if he’s going to absolutely devour the microphone.  His chorus is the first notable section of the song, and it’s totally devoid of depth. Of course, Bobby does no better, dropping rhymes that reference oral sex (*rolls eyes*) and the “Shmoney dance” (*rolls eyes even more*).

7. Tinashe, “He Don’t Want It”

Joyride • RCA • 2018

No, Tinashe isn’t a rapper, but we’ll make an exception for one of the most basic songs from her proper sophomore album, Joyride, “He Don’t Want It.”  “Said I’m a faint lover / Oh, you need to just call me / Private show / He don’t, he don’t want it.” Okay then… “He Don’t Want It,” like many of the songs from Joyride, lacks depth lyrically – understatement.  Regardless of the basic-ness that is “He Don’t Want It,” the R&B singer manages to deliver some of her best vocals, flaunting a beautiful, brilliant upper register.

Her coy, playful approach amplifies the sickness of this sleek slow jam, despite having little to say.

“I know what I got and I like what I like

Don’t come around with nothin’, and I’m whippin’ out of time

We just ain’t right, we just ain’t right, no

He don’t want it / Just ain’t right, we just ain’t right.”

8. Quavo, “Keep That Shit”

Ft. Takeoff

QUAVO HUNCHO • 300 Entertainment / Capitol / Motown • 2018

“Keep that shit, keep that shit over there / Aye keep that shit, keep that shit over there.” Yeah, it doesn’t get much more basic than that, or QUAVO HUNCHO as a whole, the debut album by Migos standout, Quavo. This is the epitome of being basic AF.  “Keep That Shit” appears in the middle of QUAVO HUNCHO, as the 10^th track.  Naturally, the chorus, which features the word ‘shit’ countless number of times, is full of ‘shit.’  Call it what it is – a big shit. Unsurprisingly, Quavo enlists fellow Migos member, Takeoff, who spits on the second verse.  And just in case you were wondering, yes, he “keep(s) that shit over there” as well.  Unfortunately for us who had to endure the stench, he should’ve left the forgettable joint off of QUAVO HUNCHO, or better yet, scrapped the utterly disappointment of an album as a whole.

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9. Russ, “Fuck That”

ZOO • Columbia • 2018

According to Russ, the world hates him.  It’s at least partially true – the rapper, singer, and producer is a hip-hop ‘do-it-all,’ yet, has his fair share of skeptics.  On the other hand, he’s also experienced some success, so, not everybody is against him. One thing that I don’t particularly care for that’s associated with Russ is his sophomore album, ZOO.  Honestly, ZOO is easily among the worst albums of 2018. The suspect sophomore album concludes in suspect fashion with the profane “Fuck That.” Like he does during numerous instances on ZOO, he plays the victim.

Unfortunately, the chip that is on Russ’ shoulder doesn’t lead to rhymes that expand behind being basic.

“They want me to shut the fuck up, fuck that

They want my talent, my nuts tucked, fuck that

They’re tryna get me to hate me, fuck that

‘Cause y’all can’t ever ever play me, fuck that.”

Sure, it was the utterly annoying “The Flute Song” that landed a spot on the The 17 Worst Songs of 2018, but “Fuck That” definitely has a compelling case for the same honors.

10. DJ Khaled, “No Brainer”

Ft. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Quavo

No Brainer [Single] • Epic • 2018

“…One night’ll change your whole life / Pop the top, drop-top, baby, it’s a no-brainer…” Umm, that’s debatable! Let me tell you exactly what is a ‘no brainer’ – “No Brainer”, the 2018 single by DJ Khaled sought to recapture the commercial success that greeted “I’m the One” from 2017.  The only difference in personnel – the absence of Lil Wayne. Perhaps Weezy knew that Khaled had a recycled, basic product on hand.  My question is, why didn’t Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, and Quavo get the memo.

Okay, I’ll admit, I gave “No Brainer” a favorable review upon arrival – 3 ½ stars out of 5.  Maybe my ears were stopped up at the time. But I also stated, that Asahd’s daddy DIDN’T serve up anything brand-new or game changing. “No Brainer” is pleasant enough and ultimately inoffensive, but this joint qualifies as basic AF because we simply won’t remember it and it does nothing to alter the course of pop music.  Keeping it even realer, was “I’m the One” really that good in retrospect? Food for thought…

11. Machine Gun Kelly, BINGE

BINGE • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2018

Honestly, it’s difficult to pinpoint only a few basic moments from the rushed Machine Gun Kelly album, BINGE.  Why? The whole project save for “Rap Devil”, is among the most basic of the year.  Some examples of the basicness?  “Long Time Coming” is pretty eye-roll worthy, suffering from being utterly generic, over-dramatic, and drenched in autotune.  Follow-up “LOCO” further exemplifies generic, playing on clichés and lacking even the slightest iota of compelling lyricism.

“Ay, can’t stop getting paper

Ay, can’t stop rollin’ papers

Ay, LSD and coca

Ay, live la vida loca.”

Furthermore, the follow-up to “LOCO” sucks… BADLY. On “GTS” Machine Gun Kelly proclaims that he’s been “going through shit.” Ugh! The hook is okay, catchy enough, but again, the listeners don’t get a deep narrative in the least.  Most of us could make the assertion we’re “going through shit” but the key is to back it up, which doesn’t happen.  #Basic AF

Photo Credits: 300 Entertainment, Bad Boy, Capitol, Cash Money, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, GOOD, Interscope, Island, Motown, RCA, Scumgang, Warner Bros.

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