**Keep in mind that when I say "his observations as a rapper", I mean the lessons he has learnt to grow as a rapper. Thank you. You may now proceed reading this music review**
According to Wikipedia, it states that, "Too High to Riot is the second studio album by French rapper Bas. It was released on March 4, 2016 by Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. The album sold 8,065 copies in it's first week, debuting at number 49 on the Billboard 200 chart".
Moreover on Wikipedia it says, "The album includes the guest appearances from his labelmates J. Cole and Cozz along with The Hics. The sonic foundation of the album is produced by Ron Gilmore, Ogee Handz + DikC, Cedric Brown, Cam O'bi, Soundwave, Subdaio, The Hics, and K-Quick".
The Track List:
1. Too High to Riot
2. Methylone
3. Dopamine feat. Cozz
4. Housewives
5. Miles and Miles
6. Live For
7. Clouds Never Get Old
8. Matches feat. The Hics
9. Night Job feat. J. Cole
10. Ricochet feat. The Hics
11. Penthouse
12. Black Owned Business
There are varied ways in which the album shows his observations as a rapper.
Bas describes what the album is all about. According to Genius, it states that, "In an interview with Rap Radar, Bas described Too High to Riot as 'things lost than things gained'. He expounds on that in another interview with Complex saying:
'It's really about just those sobering moments. I think we live in almost a fantasy world. You're travelling the world, getting all this love from your fans, getting all this support from people, making money. You're living this fantasy lifestyle, and then you can get snapped out of it in a phone call. You know, just get some bad news you weren't around for--- someone you care about passing away, someone going to jail, your girlfriend tripping. It's about all of those things, as opposed to Last Winter , which was me starting to live that fantasy life and being like , 'This is the coolest shit ever', and not seeing that there are some side effects [and] sacrifices you're going to have to make. Those two years since Last Winter have taught me that. I put all those lessons into that album' ".
From my point of view, there are important points to consider. Last Winter was about him living a fantasy life where he was really succeeding as a rapper. Moreover where it says, ".....not seeing that there are some side effects and sacrifices..." shows that being a rapper has side effects and sacrifices. Therefore, this is why Too High to Riot is about his observations as a rapper because he has learnt from his personal experiences.
Too High to Riot deals with personal growth. According to a music review by Themistoklis Alexis on exclaim.ca |Mar 04,2016, it states that , "...Too High to Riot deals largely with personal, not material growth". Moreover it says, "Too High to Riot is a lesson in young adulthood. Bas has lived, learned and matured, but is still determined to live in the moment". This clearly shows Bas's personal growth especially as a rapper. He is not interested in material growth because of what he went through in the past. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
Bas highlights the problems faced by a rap star. According to xxlmag.com: BAS BRINGS EMOTION AND DEPTH TO TOO HIGH TO RIOT by Darryl Robertson, it states that, "...he looks to detail some of the misfortunes of being a rapper on his sophomore project". He does this by adding emotion and depth to the album, "Here, the thickly bearded MC adds to his rhyme-slinging status by penning emotional, infectious bangers while keeping it lyrical - the mark of a true MC".
From my point of view, the fact that Bas brings emotion and depth to the album is important. This was done to highlight the problems faced by a rap star. Since Bas is not about materialistic things but personal growth, he is willing to work hard until he has reached his goal as a successful rapper. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
The EP has three important issues to consider. As stated by Darryl Robertson on XXL, "The 12 - track album finds the self - proclaimed Fiend effortlessly touching on drug abuse, the death of family members and racial issues in America".
Let's look at the three important issues in detail :
i) Drug abuse
This is shown on the song Methylone. It seems to be one of the important songs in the album. As stated by Darryl Robertson on XXL, ".....the former Hampton University pharmacy student uses one of the many standout track, Methylone to tell the story of how he once bought a drug testing kit to test a pill that he thought was molly. However, it turned out that the pill was actually Methylone. Bas then cleverly uses this story as a metaphor to expose the fake homies in his circle, wishing there was a testing kit to validate their realness".
This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Hook]
"I need to leave this shit alone
I've been doing the wrong drugs all along
Niggas'll sell you any dream where I'm from
That ain't molly my nigga that was methylone
Lone"
From my point of view, the reason why Bas bought a drug testing kit is because he is a former Hampton University pharmacy student. He knows a lot about drugs which is why he was able to test the drug. Moreover in this case I believe the drug molly seems to be the normal drug while Methylone is the toxic drug. This is why he used this story to expose the fake homies because looks can be deceiving, not everyone is who they claim to be. Therefore the fake homies is the toxic drug Methylone who were toxic, they were not adding value in Bas's life. The fact that Bas used the story about the drug was clever. It shows Bas's maturity in the rap game especially when he used the metaphor. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper because he is perfecting his craft through the use of metaphors.
ii) The death of family members
This is shown on two songs Dopamine and Live For.
On the song Dopamine, it looks at Cozz's and Bas's past lives. According to Genius, it states that, "As the song ventures into each of their past lives and the pleasure of Dopamine a motivational pathway as they further into their career". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 1 :Cozz]
"...Know I got a lot of better things coming man
I know a lot of niggas doubt but they don't understand that
Ain't no limits to what God can prove
They told me this life wasn't logical and I showed my niggas it was possible
Like fuck an obstacle cause this wasn't even in the plan
And now I notice what I got to do
And I'm not just going to shine I'ma blind you too"
[Verse 2: Bas]
"Shit, cause I ain't rich enough
I mean my father got a whip but ain't sick enough
My mother need treatment like she ain't been sick enough?
My cousin need treatment like she ain't been sick enough?
My God I mean before I die give me everything required to die knowing I did enough......"
When Bas says, "give me everything required...", he wants his family to be well taken care of before he dies. This is where the death aspect is shown even though Bas is not dead. Moreover sick family members is making reference to the death of his aunt.
From my point of view, Cozz and Bas did not let their past experiences define who they are. They both observed themselves and knew their worth as successful rappers. This is why the album shows Bas's observations as a rapper.
On the song, Live For, Bas mentions the death of his aunt. According to Genius, it states that, "Sampling Alex Isly's 'Don't Do' , Bas relates the loss of his aunt to the love anthem seen in Alex's single". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse]
"Mama told me you were getting sicker
Daily she'd call me say it's my name
You were calling, I mean, I was your favorite
I was named after your father, you were the sweetest aunt
Never had kids of your own but you made me your own
Busy on the road, I couldn't make it back home
You couldn't make it that long, I'll never forgive my self
I think I love just the hurting fact
I think I love when you hurt me back
Til we under the dirt, I keep you close
Yeah, under my shirt...."
From my point of view, I believe the reason why there is only one verse is because he was grieving. It is from this experience that he is no longer about material growth but personal growth. He has learnt that money is not equal to happiness hence why he has observed himself as a rapper. This is why the album is about his observations as a rapper.
The fact that Bas used Dopamine and Live For to share his story is important. As stated by Darryl Robertson on XXL, "...it's the somber tracks Dopamine with labelmate Cozz and Live For that features Bas letting his emotions fly. He discusses sick family members, losing his aunt to cancer and the drawbacks of being an artist too absorbed in his work - missing important family gatherings, his mother wishing her son was home and not being there when family needs him the most. It's stories like these dipped in Bas' distinctive wordplay that give listeners a reminder that he should be included in the conversation as one of the East Coast's best spitters". This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
iii) Racial issues in America
Bas explores important issues faced in America. This is shown on the song Black Owned Business. As stated by Darryl Robertson on XXL, "Accompanied by dreamy synths ,Fiend Bassy raps about Black fathers either being dead or in jail and crooked cops making the lives of Black males very uncomfortable". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 2]
"Hey world, your favorite movie is on, it's called Attack on Niggas
The fathers that didn't pass, they all stacked in prisons
But that shit don't get a pass, no that shit don't get a grant
Might as well go fill a bag
Ridin' around, no tinted glass
Why I can't have tinted glass? Cause that cause suspicion
Cops flash like Cinemax, don't lack ammunition...."
Bas has matured as an artist since he is highlighting important issues in America. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
Too High to Riot serves as a follow-up to Last Winter. According to a music review by Scott Glaysher on hiphopdx.com |Mar 9 2016, it states that, "The 12-track LP picks up exactly where his 2014 debut Last Winter left off. On his freshman offering, Bas explicitly walked us through the chronicles of his come up, which he synopsizes on this album as : 'left the town a drug dealer and came back a fucking poet'. Too High to Riot still has glimpses into those early years but focuses mainly on Bas current endeavours in both the rap and real world".
As I have stated on my music review Last Winter which was based on real life events, Too High to Riot deals with real life events as well. However the difference is that Too High to Riot shows Bas is striving to achieve in both the rap and real world. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
Bas was often compared to J. Cole. As stated by Scott Glaysher, "...there have been many J. Cole comparisons and mentions of Bas 'playing in his shadow'. But Too High to Riot, Bas proves he is as capable as any to hold his own and craft a fluid body of work". This is why J. Cole doesn't have much involvement in this project aside from a verse on Night Job and some style similarities on Live For. This is shown on the article by Scott Glaysher. Therefore Too High to Riot shows Bas observations as a rapper since he is shown to be able to craft a fluid body of work.
Night Job and Housewives featured on the album Revenge of the Dreamers II. From my point of view, I believe the songs show Bas being a successful rapper because it's one of the reasons why it later on led to the formation of Revenge of the Dreamers III where it was certified gold by the ( RIAA). This is why the album Too High to Riot shows Bas observations as a rapper .
Bas collaborates with The Hics. Two songs Matches and Ricochet shows his collaboration with the band.
On the song Matches there is a reason why it's interesting. According to Genius, it states that, "The features heard throughout the song include a London Band who call themselves The Hics. It's quite funny how Bas came to meet the band as portrayed in his interview with Complex".
This is the interview as stated by Genius:
"My homie Soundwavve, who produced 'Housewives' on our album, was living with me in L.A at this house called 'The Champ', where I pretty much made the whole album. We were buying groceries at one of them supermarkets in L.A and he was playing The Hics, and I was like, 'Bro, what is this?' He was like, 'This band that I found on Grand Theft Auto'. I was super inspired"
From my point of view, the fact that his homie Soundwavve is the one who produced Housewives shows they have a close friendship. Moreover, without Soundwavve, Bas would not have known about The Hics and he would not have included them in the album. This shows Soundwavve also played a role in producing the album Too High to Riot. Bas is shown to be creative because when he heard about The Hics, he was super inspired. He went on to reach out to them hence this is interesting in the sense that The Hics are a London Band which makes their collaboration with Bas unique . Bas reaching out to The Hics after listening to their music shows that he is practical to get what he wants hence why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
The song Ricochet is based on Bas's personal experience. According to Genius, it states that, "In this song Bas reflects ob life, family friends over Ron Gilmore's production with additional assistance from The Hics. This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 2: Bas]
"Innocence lost, it's never retained
It's never the same, it's never the same
Leave this world with some inspiration..."
From my point of view, the lyrics above is probably making reference to the death of his aunt. This probably caused him to reflect on life and as a rapper, he has learnt to not take anything or anyone for granted. This is why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
What is the relevance of the title of the album Too High to Riot?
Based on the information provided, I believe the title of the album was inspired because of his personal experience. Bas was too high on life to focus on family or any racial issues in America. He has grown as an artist and now he is addressing those issues through the song Black Owned Business. He also opens up about his aunt's death so that listeners learn from his mistakes. This album was about not taking anything or anyone for granted hence why the album shows his observations as a rapper.
These is amazing keep it up ey