According to Genius, it states that, "Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II is the second in it's instalment following up his 2011 release Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. I. Due to Dreamville's work with Interscope, this marka Bas first project under Dreamville Records ".
Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II was released on May 26, 2013. Since it is a follow-up to his 2011 release Quarter Water Raised Me Volume I, it means that they are linked. Also, Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II probably shows Bas' emergence in the rap game.
Before we look at the track list, there is need to know the artists and producers who contributed to the project. According to Genius, "The following artists contributed to the project : Hemdi, Angela McCluskey, J. Cole, KQuick, Jota. The following producers contributed to the project: Ced, BBP, Jii Amadehuss ,Christian Rich, Subdaio ,Clams Casino, The Beautiful People, Ogee Handz".
From my point of view, the fact that a lot of people contributed to the project is an important point to consider. This was probably done to make a good impression to listeners so they can appreciate Bas as an artist and also the label Dreamville Records.
Why did Bas decide to release Quarter Water Raised Me Volume II as a follow up to his 2011 release?
From my point of view, I believe it's because he wanted his listeners to not only appreciate Quarter Water Raised Me Volume II, but also his 2011 release, Quarter Water Raised Me Volume I. The 2011 release seems to be his first release as a rapper and it seems to be one of his most important projects. It is because of the 2011 release project that influenced Bas to release Quarter Water Raised Me Volume II.
From the track list above, I will only mention some of the meanings behind two songs.
The song Cousins is the fifth track off of J. Cole's Truly Yours 2 EP, which was released in April 2013 as stated by Genius. Moreover Genius states that, "J. Cole's Dreamville Records labelmate Bas teams up with Cole to tell a story of two cousins once close, now separated ; one who has blown up and become successful, and one who has reached the bottom ". This is shown on the lyrics below :
[Verse 1: Bas]
"...Got some niggas never call me 'less they need something
But I pick up, like, "whassup, what you need cousin?"
My niggas know that I love 'em
Give 'em roses while they can smell 'em
Cause ain't no tellin' who'll be here tomorrow.."
[Verse 2: J Cole]
Yeah
Cousin in jail again, asking me for bail again
Close when I was 12, but I was much frailer then
He was like 16, a nigga from the gutter and
Years ago his favorite uncle had married my mother and
Here we are, runnin' through the Ville like dumb and dumber and
For that summer man I swear I wish you was my brother then
Well time passed and we fell off cause you moved back home
Little did you know Jermaine done grew a new back bone
Niggas thought he wouldn't make it 'till he proved that wrong
12 years later on the radio that Who Dat song
Your homeboy bumps the Warm Up now you buggin'
Cause you looking at the cover and you say "Yo that's my cousin"
And niggas looking at you like you lying but you wasn't
Next thing I know you blowing up my line all a sudden...."
From the lyrics above, it shows one of the disadvantages of having wealth and fame. There are some who will take advantage of you when they need something. Therefore I believe that Bas and J. Cole shared their past lives because they wanted their listeners to becareful around such people, especially when listeners has gained success.
The song Attica is one of the deepest songs in the mixtape Quarter Water Raised Me Volume II. According to Genius, it states that, "...This song is very important to the progression of Bas as an artist because this was one of the songs that made others in the Dreamville camp take him more seriously as an artist ". Moreover, Genius states that, "Bas touches upon the time period before he raps and talks about a very close friend whose death was one of the things that pushed Bas into music ". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"...Well in that case I hope I see Allah
And ask him why he had to take Amir
Man I really miss ya, it’s been too many years
I see you and your sisters, I see you and your kids
I see my aunt crying, man she spilled too many tears
But know this, fuck showbiz
If I make it anywhere, your kids already there
And boy you know we think about you every year
Every month, every week, every night in my sleep
I hope you come and visit like you do my pops
Man I just wanna kick it like we used to
Allah, please give a nigga blues clues
Why you take him? Why you spare me?
‘Cause I remember clearly
Sounds in my ears of them bullets flying near me..."
From my point of view, I believe Bas was pushed into music because music is therapeutic hence it was his way of copying the pain of losing his friend, Amir. Dreamville has taken Bas more seriously as an artist probably because he became stronger despite the pain he went through and decided to pursue music not only because it's therapeutic, but also because it is his passion. This marks the emergence of Bas in the rap game.
In conclusion, Quarter Water Raised Me Volume II marks Bas' first project under Dreamville Records where it shows his emergence in the rap game. Despite the loss of his friend Amir, he pursued music which became his passion.
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