This is the 3rd full-length LP from Charlotte, North Carolina recording artist BigBabyGucci. Getting his start in the summer of 2016 off his debut EP ART HOE Collection, he would continue to build a name for himself by putting out 18 more EPs as well as his last couple albums & a mixtape along the way. But coming off both his last tape Homesick & the sophomore LP Colors during the first quarter of the year, BigBabyGucci’s returning in time for Friday the 13th to drop When U Wake Up.
“Stargaze (Maniac)” is an electro hop opener à la Ye or the Nazi formerly known as Kanye West asking if he’s crazy as fuck comparing his cougar to the late WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 4-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 2-time ECW World Television Champion & AAA Mundial Parejas Campeon Eddie Guerrero whereas “No Favors” works in some pianos & hi-hats talking about being unable to do any sort of favor for anyone. “Drug Bender” goes into psychedelic trap territory to give those who like to get a little too fucked up something to vibe to, but then “Feel This Way” triumphantly admits to everyone listening that he truthfully hasn’t felt the way he does in quite a minute.
Continuing forward, “Pecan Pie” blends these horns & hi-hats looking back on the days when he used to have to rob just to get by & make it through the struggle alive leading into “Early Bird” draws from 808s & Heartbreak for an electropop ballad about talking about how he can’t trust anyone yet he never learns. “Kapitol” weaves these pianos & hi-hats for an 85 second cut repping the titular clothing brand just before the synth-laced trap “Like I’m Famous” talking about the way this chick treats him.
“Ken Doll” goes for a bassy, atmospheric approach asking this Barbie if she genuinely hates him while the wavy “Seance” talking about he how he just had to lay someone down really badly because he was snitching to the feds. “The Brand” hooks to a somber loop & hi-hats discussing the fact that people be spending all the money they have not saving any for themselves in the end at all while “Midnite” gives off a jazzier edge to the beat interestingly talking about being high late at night.
On the other hand, “Product of a Playa” gives off a rage-inducing vibe instrumentally telling what it’s like to be an artifact of a hustler while “The Rush Before the Fall” dives back into the electro hop sound talking about being unable to miss his shot if he were to take it. “Bombay” intoxicatingly describes this chick wanting a night off while “Codeine Love” is an energizing dedication to sippin’ lean in the midst of partying out with others.
“The Madness” happens to be the last before the closer nearing the end of the album hopping on top of a cloudy ass beat talking about being so high that he’s looking over at the insanity & to close out the LP, it’s only feature Sik-K joins BBG for “Graveyard” wrapping it all up on eerie dark synth hop note providing some wicked imagery appropriately since it’s Friday the 13th & Halloween’s coming up.
I’ve been hearing about dude since this past spring when Colors & I can definitely see why people have been telling me to check him out because I enjoyed When U Wake Up as an album. He’s incredibly versatile primarily basing himself in the pop rap/trap styles with an clearly obvious Kanye influence & some rage undertones with catchy songwriting/performances.
Score: 3.5/5
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