World | 3 to 5 BOPS

World: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 12 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of AJR, Brent Faiyaz, Jordan Davis, Kendrick Lamar, and The Stylistics. 

Ah, you know what time it is! It’s 3 to 5 BOPS time – WOO! On 3 to 5 BOPS, it’s all about brevity and sweetness… for the most part! There’s a theme/topic, 3, 4, or 5 songs, and a blurb – two paragraphs or less.  3 to 5 BOPS, hence, is a mini playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 12th edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with WORLD in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of 🎙 AJR, 🎙 Brent Faiyaz, 🎙 Jordan Davis, 🎙 Kendrick Lamar, and 🎙 The Stylistics. Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Kendrick Lamar, “Worldwide Steppers”

💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2022

The controversial 🎙 Kodak Black introduces one of the best songs from the long awaited 🎙 Kendrick Lamar album, 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: 🎵 “Worldwide Steppers.” Despite Black’s appearance, Kendrick is the main attraction of this intense, minimally produced gem (🎛 Tae Beast, J.LBS, and Sounwave). Lamar nails the chorus, which references the viciousness of cancel culture: “I’m a killer, he’s a killer, she’s a killer, bitch / We some killers, walkin’ zombies, tryna scratch that itch…” Kendrick has plenty to say throughout the verses, with one of his more intriguing subjects being his infidelity, including having sex with white women (“Whitney asked did I have a problem / I said, ‘I might be racist’ / Ancestors watchin’ me fuck was like retaliation”).  Lamar is always thought-provoking and “Worldwide Steppers” ranks among the most interesting records of 2022.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: May 2022
• 50 Best Songs of 2022

2. AJR, “World’s Smallest Violin”

💿 OK ORCHESTRA• 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

“I should move ‘cause New York is gettin’ muddy out / There’s L.A. but it’s always kinda sunny out / And I don’t wanna hurt no more / So, I set my bar real low.” Give 🎙 AJR credit for being self-aware of the bigger problems that lie in the world on 🎵 “World’s Smallest Violin” (💿 OK ORCHESTRA). Of course, there’s violin 🎻 on the track 😏. The record is a unique mix of cabaret and folk, with the results being novel. The pre-chorus is catchy to say the least, with facts being spit on the line, “Next to them, my shit don’t feel so grand.” ‘Course, 🎙 Jack Met goes on to say “But I can’t help myself from feeling bad…” So millennial! If nothing else, world’s smallest violin is definitely a discussion piece, though the cartoonish sound arguably ‘gets in the way.’

3. Jordan Davis, “What My World Spins Around”

🎵 “What My World Spins Around” • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 2022 

“I love a first cast when the water’s glass and the line starts to run / Or that first sip of a cold beer when the working week’s done.” Yep, that’s country to the core! Despite the country clichés, on 🎵 “What My World Spins Around”, 🎙 Jordan Davis shares his dedication to that special somebody in his life; his focus is on HER. He penned “What My World Spins Around” alongside 🎼✍ Matt Dragstrem and Ryan Hurd, with  🎛 Paul DiGiovanni handling the production. Notably, during the chorus, the record grows more dynamic – gargantuan in scope. At the end of the first verse, after sharing all things he loves, he asserts, “But girl, that don’t even come close /… [you’re] what my world spins around.” During the chorus, he highlights the things he loves about her – she’s the most important thing to him in the world.  The sentiment is sweet. There’s just something about the profession of love, no matter what genre of music it is, that hits different!

4. Brent Faiyaz, “Fuck the World (Summer in London)”

💿 Fuck the World • 🏷 Lost Kids • 📅 2020

“Wanna fuck the world, I’m a walkin’ erection…” Wow – what a ‘fucking’ opening lyric! Furthermore, the song at hand, 🎵 “Fuck the World (Summer in London),” serves as the title track of 🎙 Brent Faiyaz’s (Christopher Brent Wood) 2020 EP. 💿 Fuck the World definitely is NOT a family-friendly album/song title, but makes a clear, unapologetic point.  The opening line is not only the opening line of the song, but also the opening line of the chorus, which perfectly captures the essence of FTW:

“Wanna fuck the world, I’m a walkin’ erection

Spend without a thought, we do it reckless

Your nigga caught us texting

You said, ‘Baby, don’t be mad, you know how Brent is.’”

The chorus is only part of the goodness of “Fuck the World.” Faiyaz definitely ‘talks his shit,’ keeping it 100, coming over as cocky and confident throughout. His focus? All kinds of girls are sexually attracted to him, but just because it ‘goes down’ doesn’t mean it moves beyond temporary pleasure. As to where London comes into play on this unique sounding R&B record, per Brent, “Took a trip to London just to hear how they talk.” Fair enough – the British accent is pretty cool.

Appears in 🔻:

• 25 Colorful Songs, Clearly For Under Consent [of the] King

5. The Stylistics, “People Make The World Go Round”

💿 The Stylistics – The Original Debut Album • 🏷 Amherst • 🗓 1971

“But that’s what makes the world go round / The ups and downs, a carousel.” True, 🎙 The Stylistics – you’ve got a legitimate point on 🎵 “People Make The World Go Round”. “People Make The World Go Round” appears as the seventh track on the epic 💿 The Stylistics – The Original Debut Album.  Although The Stylistics featured bigger, more renowned hits, this gem highlighting a turbulent world – “Buses on strike want a raise in fare / So they can help pollute the air” – still managed to peak at no. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

🎼 ✍ Thom Bell ( R.I.P. ) and 🎼 ✍ Linda Creed are responsible for composing this utterly terrific gem (Bell also produces). Musically, it is impressive from the start. First, there is an enigmatic introduction which sets the tone for the record.  Soon enough, electric keys establish a groove, with a hi-hat heavy groove delivered by the drums later.  Of course, the orchestration is breathtaking as well.  The listener is spoiled with tremendous ear candy: ripe falsetto lead vocals by 🎙 Russell Thompkins, Jr., strings, horns, and a tight rhythm section.  Honestly, what isn’t there to love about this late single from The Stylistics?

Appears in 🔻:

• The Stylistics, “People Make The World Go Round”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 6 (2023) 

World: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 12 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Amherst, BMG Rights Management, Lost Kids, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Porapak Apichodilok via Pexels]