Baby Keem is a 20 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Carson, California who actually happens to be Kendrick Lamar’s younger cousin. He’s gone on to drop 4 EPs & 2 mixtapes in the last few years, with his sophomore tape Die for My Bitch being the one that helped boost him to the point where he rightfully earned a spot on the 2020 XXL Freshman Class. However now that he’s signed to K. Dot’s newly formed pgLang with distribution from Columbia Records, we’re finally being treated to a full-length debut from the promising West Coast up-&-comer.

“trademark usa” starts off the album with a 2-parter produced with Ging & Rogét Chahayed shouting out the dead & being the same dude in 48 states whereas the self-produced “pink panties” embraces a funkier vibe singing about lust. “scapegoats” takes a more soulful turn thanks to DJ Dahi & FNZ telling us he thought there was redemption in the 4 ethers while “range brothers” by The Hillbillies boisterously divides itself in 3 portions thanks to both 30 Roc & Dez Wright, although the “top of the mornin’” hook during the final part has since become a meme.

As for “issues”, we have Keem taking a more minimalistic sound opening up about the memories of certain people in his life leading into “gorgeous” telling his bitch that she’s a dime on top of a synth-heavy instrumental. “south africa” hooks up some pianos talking about him & his girl both having the money while “lost souls” featuring Brent Faiyaz on the remix moodily declares all these hoes as such with an equally catchy outro telling his woman that he’s on her side.

“cocoa” featuring Don Toliver finds the 2 teaming up for a playful club banger & I love how “family ties” by The Hillbillies begins with Cardo & Outtatown bringing in these horns for Keem’s verse & later taking a grimier turn for Kendrick to smoke your top 5. “scars” climatically asks God why life is so hard & once “durag activity” obviously takes a psychedelic route as Travis Scott comes into the picture flexing their wealth, “booman” has a jazzier vibe talking about being a barbarian.

The song “first order of business” has a bit of a more ambient sound talking about loyalty & gratitude while “vent” brings Kendrick back 1 last time even if it’s only for a chorus, viciously ask if you’ve ever been punched dead in the face & letting his cousin channel his anger through a singular verse. “16” ends asking Keem’s girl won’t she think about them while “hooligan” starts the deluxe run by having Oogie Mane of Working on Dying combining trap & pop rap so Keem can talk about his reckless lifestyle.

“no sense” fuses pop rap, trap & cloud rap sidestepping all the bullshit that comes around him while “a life of pain instrumentally gives off a Halloween type mood spitting a whole verse flexing of doing his dance in areas & not feeing strange about it. “killstreaks” featuring Don Toliver reunites the pair so they can hypnotically talk about their partners having them running around the country while the “patience” interlude slathers his vocals in auto-tune & takes a more repetitive approach to his songwriting.

Cardo flips “Everlasting Bass” by Rodney O & Joe Cooley on “naked” admitting he’s too impatient hence why he missed the possibility of the hoes at the function getting undressed while “fine china” samples “Real Recognize Real” by Doe Boy & Roddy Ricch expressing his desire of caring for the woman he bags. Tae Beast samples “Killing Me Softly with His Song” by the Fugees during “highway 95’” detailing why they call him 2 Phone Keem & the final bonus track “bank account” featuring Lil Uzi Vert boasts their riches.

I’ve always suggested to check out Die for My Bitch for those who’ve never heard of Keem, but now I have to recommend The Melodic Blue because he really outdid himself on here & has already proven himself to be the most talented pgLang signing of the label’s only 2 artists. His lyrical skills have increased as did his production & his versatility from the energetic trap, hardcore hip hop & pop rap joints to the infectious alternative R&B cuts is really admirable.

Score: 3.5/5