Build | 3BOPS

1. Bella Poarch, “Build a Bitch”

🎵  “Build a Bitch” • 🏷  Warner • 📅  2021

🎵  “Build a Bitch” arrives courtesy of Filipino-American pop singer, 🎙  Bella Poarch.  On the eyebrow raising song (or, at least its title), Poarch is about women’s empowerment and criticizing guys looking for physical perfection. There is lots to like about this record with the message conveyed by the songwriting being the biggest triumph.  The chorus, which appears at the onset, sets the tone. “This ain’t Build a Bitch (a bitch) / You don’t get to pick and choose,” Bella sings, continuing to name the details so many men scrutinize when it comes to women.  She adds at the end of the chorus, “I’m filled with flaws and attitude / So, if you need perfect, I’m not built for you.”

Poarch makes it clear that far too many men set an impossible standard for their own benefit.  On the verses, she goes on to elaborate about the opposite sex’s search for perfection, further illustrating her point.  Beyond the songwriting and a strong performance from Poarch, “Build a Bitch” features sleek production work (🎛  Elie Rizk and 🎛  Sub Urban) that’s definitely ear catching.  All in all, Bella delivers.  She manages to make a brief, colorful pop song, while delivering a notable message.

2. Luke Bryan, “Build Me a Daddy”

💿  Born Here Live Here Die Here • 🏷  Capitol Nashville • 📅  2020

🎵 “Build Me a Daddy” was one of the later singles to materialize from 💿  Born Here Live Here Die Here, the seventh studio album by country artist, 🎙  Luke Bryan. Clearly, Bryan enjoys providing a ‘deeper,’ more thoughtful ballad on his recent albums.  On 💿  What Makes You Country (2017), well, 🎵  “Most People Are Good”. Here, it’s “Build Me a Daddy,” where a child goes into a toy store and asks the toymaker to “build him a daddy.”

“Build Me a Daddy” is a sentimental record that comes from a good place, even if it’s ultimately unrealistic.  Still, one must appreciate the fact that it captures the innocence of a young child, something that only lasts so long, and is highlighted far too seldom.

“Could you build me a daddy?
Strong as Superman
Make him ten feet tall with a southern drawl
And a crooked smile if you can
…If I walked in with him, it’d sure make mama happy
If you could build me a daddy.”

3. Teyana Taylor, “Let’s Build”

Ft. Quavo

💿  The Album • 🏷  Getting Out Our Dreams Inc. / Def Jam • 📅  2020

“Words don’t express the way I feel / If love ain’t a crime, then baby, it ain’t real…” Although a wee bit too long, 💿  The Album , the third studio album by singer/actress 🎙  Teyana Taylor, was a fine album.  Too many people slept on it, of course. Nonetheless, R&B fans know Taylor dropped a gem. Among the notable songs is 🎵  “Let’s Build,” where Teyana taps the ever-ubiquitous 🎙  Quavo for the assist.  Yes, he’s everywhere but he does fit perfectly on this particular record.

How does Quavo fit, you ask? Well, those Quavo-nian hums are definitely a whole vibe – NO CAP! That said, this is a Teyana Taylor track, so, it’s NOT all about Quavo, who I’ve mentioned explicitly in this blurb four times! What Taylor is building on this two-and-a-half-minute bop is a strong, loving bond. Also, worth noting, 🎛  Murda Beatz and 🎛  Cardiak ‘build’ a great backdrop for both artists.