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| Brockhampton, the boy band taking the internet by storm! |
For those who DON'T know: Brockhampton is a boy band, and a boy band is defined as the following, as per dictionary.com..."a pop group composed of attractive young men whose music and image are designed to appeal primarily to a young teenage audience."
Yeah, so, incase anyone was wondering, this is Brockhampton in a very TL;DR format.
A little bit of background information on Brockhampton...
Brockhampton was formed by Kevin Abstract and a few of his friends in high school (under a different name). Eventually, Brockhampton came to completion through a forum website called Kanyetothe.com. Where several key members would end up being recruited from said website in order to complete Brockhampton as a whole.
Their whole dynamic is interesting because Brockhampton is literally a product of the internet and people being able to come together from all over the world because of it.
But enough on that, today I want to talk about the best verse each (recording artist) member has spit so far on a track.
Allow me to point out who actually is a (musical) recording artist in Brockhampton.
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| Everyone with an arrow pointed toward them is who I'm going to be discussing in this post. |
Also, I will not be counting solo work for best verses so that means no verses Kevin Abstract's "American Boyfriend" will count or anything from Dom Mclennon's "Thesis" either as well as any other solo work by any other member.
Anyway, let's start...OH and I forgot to mention I will be comparing each (musical) member of Brockhampton to a power ranger cause that is what they remind me of, so yeah, deal with it.
First up is...
MATT CHAMPION
As for the power ranger he'd be? I'd choose the Green ranger for Matt.
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| I'm the Green ranger, Green ranger, call them goons up! |
Why the green ranger for Matt? Well, I don't have a good reason, other than it makes sense in my head. See, Kevin Abstract founded Brockhampton and is the leader, so obviously he is the red ranger, and other colors don't suit Matt to me except for green.
Green is a relaxing, laidback, "cool" color (as opposed to "warm" colors like red, yellow etc.) which is just like Matt, his stoner -like flow and delivery makes him as cool as a cucumber on a track (Hey! Cucumbers are ALSO green! How about that?) and so I choose Green for Mr. Champion.
Terrible reasoning and explanation? Perhaps. But that is why I made this blog for myself.
Why is he choosing Matt first? You may have asked.
I wanted to start with Matt cause he goes first on two of my absolute FAVORITE Brockhampton songs which are "SWEET" and "Gold".
Like I said, Matt is the rapper in the group with the often laid back flow and delivery. He also has the look to match it too. Often cited as the prettiest member of Brockhampton and I personally think it's because he looks like a movie heartthrob straight out of the 1990s.
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| Matt Champion |
Anyway, Matt Champion's best verse so far is...
HOL' UP! CAN I GET A DRUM ROLL PLEASE!?
THANK YOU.
Matt Champion's best verse that he has spit so far while in Brockhampton (and is publicly available) is his verse on...
Heat, verse 4.
I remember watching the Kendrick Lamar interview with Zane Lowe (which I talked about a little bit in my "DAMN." review here) and Kendrick quoted Ice Cube. The Ice Cube quote was something to the effect of if your opening lines don't grab the listener right away, it's weak.
Matt Champion definitely followed that advice (rather intentionally or unintentionally) because the way he starts off his verse is 100% attention grabbing.
"My old friend fucked my girlfriend, I should’ve shot him"
BAM. No build up or anything like that, straight to it. Betrayal, sex, and violence all in one rap line, and it all gets better as Matt describes how his life has gotten better since that incident.
Don't get me wrong, Ameer, Merlyn, Dom, and JOBA all did their thing on "Heat" but Matt's laidback tone of voice is tailor-made for "Heat's" raw, aggressive, industrial type instrumental.
The fact of the matter is, not only did Matt just sound the best on the track, as in his voice meshed with the instrumentals the best, but he also kept it real and vivid by recalling real life situations and scenarios that he went through in a demeanor that is equal parts cool and worrisome.
It's great...I guess you could say...
MATT BROUGHT THE 'HEAT'
Anyone? No? Okay. Here's Matt's verse in text form in case you wanted to read it or something.
[Verse 4: Matt Champion on 'HEAT' off of 'Saturation']
"My old friend fucked my girlfriend, I should’ve shot him
Pray to God about him, man, I hit the lotto
Yeah, my bitch got badder, shit, my ass got badder
And I forgave them bitches, so now it’s off to millions
I been fucking sinning, hit the forehead
Chest, left, right, I’m grinning, asses on the ceiling
And I got mirror feelings, for all you lil' demons
Yeah, you see the chain, 'fore all you changed on me
Rearranged on me, suck a dick about it
I hope you get offended, and this ain’t clean shit
This is pissing off the yacht with my bitch on me
Wearin' mink on me, sippin' Cris’ on ya
Bet ya life on it, I came to fight for it
Came in, raided all y'all pockets
And your bitch came in and rubbed up on me
I’m burning rubber, I pulled up on you"
Next up is...
AMEER VANN
As for the power ranger he'd be? I choose the Black power ranger for Ameer.
Why the black ranger? Cause Ameer is black! Duh! No, I kid, but Ameer has a very distinct presence on the Microphone, it's very easy to single him out on a track like 'GUMMY' or 'NATION' and zero-in on what exactly he is saying.
That's what the color black represents to me, a powerfully distinct presence. Ameer can get aggressive if he wants but for the most part he just raps about the things he did in his past, whether it'd be cooking up drugs, serving up drugs, or committing crimes that could've gotten him a life sentence.
Anyway, who cares about all that. You want to know about the best verse from this smooth-talking mustache'd man, and I'm here to give it to you.
DRUM ROLL KITTY GIF PLZ
Ameer Vann's best verse in Brockhampton so far is on...
CANNON, verse 4.
Aside from the usual things I told you Ameer raps about. On "CANNON" Ameer gets personal for a second and reveals not only where he comes from but that he has bigger purpose and that through making music, he can achieve it.
Far too many times are rappers rapping just to rhyme words, I love it when an artist puts meaning behind every word and explains what makes him/her tick, what motivates him/her to get in the booth and do their thing on a consistent basis.
Some do it for fame, some do it for money, some do it to get money, so they can help their loved ones out.
I think in Ameer's case, and more specifically in this particular verse on 'CANNON'. Ameer shows just how far he's come and yet still shows how far he has to go. Great verse.
It also proves Ameer raps about more than just drugs as well.
Oh and here's the actual verse in text form, in case you wanted to read it.
[Verse 4: Ameer Vann on 'CANNON' off of a internet video that Brockhampton posted (the song isn't officially out on any projects (really disappointed it wasn't on the 'Saturation Drafts')]
"I been dripping candy paint
Grew up Willow Avenue
Turned a right on Yellowstone
You see what them players do
So I chuck the deuce who make us home to Herschelwood
Shout out to my cousin Mo
He got off a prison sentence
Lock him in a penitentiary
He ain't takin' niggas with him
Or his daughter either
So send the lord to keep her
'Cause the police killin' fathers
Man, it hard to keep 'em
And that's what's in my blood
Besides the oil and reefer
I'm in the black slab
Tryna catch the reaper
It's a four inside my cup
I crack the seal and fill it
It's a hole inside me
I try to pour and fill it
But in the bottom, another monster
There's somethin' with it
I'm still that little nigga
With the little twisties
Waitin' for the bus and I just missed it
That's why I'm still hungry
Why you robbin' niggas?
That's why I dream bigger, fuck a couple dollars
I want a hundred million
And one for all my niggas
And twenty for my mama, she need some bigger ceilings"
AND Next up is....
MERLYN WOOD
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| This is Merlyn Wood, man. |
Merlyn Wood (Man) would be definitely be the Yellow power ranger of Brockhampton.
Why yellow? Cause yellow stands out, it's hard to ignore. There's a reason why children's school buses are painted yellow, it's because yellow is the color you see first before every other color.
Merlyn is Brockhampton's artist/in-track hypeman. Merlyn's prescence on Brockhampton is akin to a Danny Brown, Old Dirty Bastard and even a Onyx type vibe where there's more emphasis on very distinct and simple delivery that is extremely memorable and can be easily repeated.
He's not like JOBA with the singing high notes, or Kevin with the catchy hooks. Merlyn is simply a rapper who raps in a way that makes it so everyone can rap along. Merlyn trades complex bars for lyrics that translate into a fun time that everyone can repeat during the concert.
Just watch this footage of Merlyn performing his verse off 'SWEET' on Saturation 2.
Merlyn gets it poppin!
But let's get to the main attraction, what is Merlyn's best verse in Brockhampton (so far)
DRUM ROLL POR FAVOR
Merlyn Wood's best verse so far is on...
MILK, verse 2.
After an lethargic, yet still potent verse from Ameer. Merlyn follows his verse with a very different delivery than his usual Danny Brown type inflection.
In this short and sweet verse, Merlyn introduces himself, and talks about how he's currently making music as well as what lead him to this point in his life. He is literally talking to the listener in the most awesome way.
Merlyn is not trying to be the fun-loving, hypeman everyone knows him to be, but he's rather giving you a piece of himself, almost spoken word like way more so than rapping. It's different, it's dope and you wouldn't even recognize Merlyn at first, his regular voice is a welcome change on this lowkey, "love yourself even though your sad" anthem.
Anyway, the Yellow ranger Merlyn made an unexpected yet amazing appearance on one of the fan favorite Brockhampton songs.
And of course here is Merlyn Wood man's verse to read, analyze and all that good stuff.
[Verse 2: Merlyn Wood on 'MILK' off 'Saturation']
"Hi, my name is Merlyn, I just applied for food stamps
I just moved to California, with my boy band
Dropped out of a good school, hippies in my commune
I left 'fore the rent was due, used to want a briefcase
And a short commute, used to wanna sell coke
And whip an Audi coupe, crazy if I did that
Wouldn't be talking to you
Walking through the pit falls of a college student
Crazy how you get them letters and that make you feel accepted
Til you walking 'round the campus and you the only African
Nobody with passion, just cats that take direction well
Take acid trips to find themselves, well..."
Next up is...
DOM MCLENNON
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| This is Dom Mclennon, he swan dives down the 405 and lands at the bottom of El Toro High. |
I picture Dom McLennon as the Blue power ranger of Brockhampton.
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| You see, this gif is a metaphor for the hot fire Dom spits in his verses. |
Reason I chose the blue ranger for Dom is because his lyrics can be melancholic and blue represents
sadness (based on what I've read). Dom has a lot of abstract imagery and technical rhymes in his verses that can be compared to that of a Kendrick Lamar. Out of everyone, I feel Dom is the most traditional rapper in the vein of a Nas or a J. Cole while Ameer is more in the vein of The Game, or Mc Eiht or any other gangster type rapper out there.
Also, I chose Blue Ranger for Dom because in the STAR video he was painted blue and if you couldn't already guess...
Dom Mclennon's best verse in Brockhampton (so far) is....
redoble de tambores por favor
Dom Mclennon's best verse so far is on...
STAR, verse 1.
I chose Dom's STAR verse because, not only do I think it's the best of the 3 verses on "Star", I also believe it's Dom at his most simple yet most effective. Dom rhymes, but the way he does it, it's in a way that most people can rap along too, and he name drops the celebrities (or stars) like it's nothing. It's all very fluid, and to the point.
Dom's flow is very natural, he doesn't force names where they shouldn't be and it honestly demonstrates how adept he is at rapping. Kevin and Ameer both do their thing too (Ameer with his "I'm like Prince with the white doves" line and "MJ my initials" line are both fuego) and of course there's Kevin with the now infamous line ("I just gave my nigga head").
And on top of that, the music video that goes along with this song is dope too. To describe it, imagine the blue man group, but rapping, black and one of them is gay. That's the "STAR" video in a nutshell. Not that it's a bad thing, it's actually quite good, and I encourage everyone reading this to click on the video I linked above.
Here is the verse, transcribed into text form (thank you Rap Genius for properly structuring the rap verse for me)
Anyway, here's Dom Mclennon's verse on "STAR"
[Verse 1: Dom McLennon on "STAR" off 'Saturation']
"I might go Interstellar
I feel like Matthew McConaughey
I don't care for what they gotta say
Tony Perkis how I drop the weight
Jason Bourne with the headshot
Jason Statham with the whip game
Liam Neeson with the rescue
I go Gunnar with the leather face
Bruce Campbell with the chains
Tobin Bell with the saw
Anthony Hopkins, I'm eatin' 'em raw
They don't know who we are
Molly Shannon I'm a superstar
Ride or die like it's sea biscuit
Tryna stack like Tobey
John Wick, I don't leave a witness
Chris Paul, I'm assistin'
Ameer going Blake Griffin
Give me forty-eight minutes
We go '04 Pistons
Catch a fade like Robert Horry
Only time to get the spotlight
Deray how I'm top flight
Go Obama when I drop mics"
Coming up next is...
JOBA
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| This is JOBA. He'll break your neck so you can watch your back. For JOBA, I picture him as the Pink ranger of Brockhampton. |
"Why the pink ranger for JOBA?" This maybe a question you've asked yourself as you are reading this.
I chose the pink ranger for JOBA for 2 very simple reasons. One, Kevin is already the red ranger since he's basically the leader of Brockhampton and the red ranger is of course, usually the leader of the ranger squad in most seasons.
And two, I've read that the color pink is supposed to be very relaxing to the human eye. And JOBA just comes in with those relaxing vocals every time he's featured on the track. Even "HEAT" has a civil "Fuck You" near the very end before Matt comes in with his verse.
For JOBA, he puts the boy band in Brockhampton. He's mostly singing in the group, carrying melodies and tunes. Basically the group's Justin Timberlake. Now, for JOBA I took into account the verse where he said the most words, I approached him like a rapper.
However, I do understand he's a singer mostly, and engineer and producer and basically he does everything in Brockhampton (everything as in has a lot of skills both in front of and behind the microphone).
But enough of all that. Let's get to his best verse (in my opinion, obviously).
Drum. Roll. Give. Please. Thank.
JOBA's best verse so far is...
TRACK 8, verse 1.
"I chainsmoke 'til I choke/Have a good heart but bad health/You would never know"...Damn JOBA.
I'm so glad I waited until I heard the Saturation Drafts before I made this list. JOBA (or as one bald headed reviewer so affectionately named him "JORBA")'s verse on Track 8 is an example of underutilized potential. Basically, in the song, JOBA is talking to himself, letting out all of his insecurities and what he really thinks about himself out into the world. It's a sobering look at a guy who is extremely talented yet is extremely self critical and self analytical. I really can't do this verse anymore justice with my words, you'll just to listen to it and see for yourself.
I don't think it should've been released personally, I feel like JOBA should've either saved this verse for himself or a future Brockhampton track but I am glad it did see the light of day, inside the myriad of demos in the Saturation Draft CD
Pink ranger JOBA knocked it out of the park on the Saturation trilogy (as did everybody else) but his verse on "Track 8" of the Saturation Drafts is the one I most look forward to when I put on that CD.
Verso de JOBA en forma de texto para su placer visual
[Verse: JOBA on "Track 8" off the "Saturation Drafts"]
"I chainsmoke 'til I choke
Have a good heart but bad health
You would never know
Where can you turn at the end of a road
Let myself go, I know I'm at fault
'Cause I'm not who I thought at all
Smokescreens in the dark
I just drink and drive
The freeway eases my mind and I can cry on my own
Going 95, no one on the passenger's side
But the person in the rear view's telling lies
You could end it all if you'd like to
And you can drink a fifth and, uh
Drive to, um, wherever you'd like to
'Cause, well, nobody likes you
And nobody feels like you do
Plus, nobody understands the way that the
Broken heart that you feel, so fuck it
You might as well just get real high and stupid
Rent a motel room and drink away your issues
It could be so simple, nobody wants to help you
They laugh and smile because you're different, you know
It's all your fault but you stay well-tempered
You've always had your wits about you
You hide away, so mental
And I'm glad you stay reclusive
You have a wound that's self-inflicted
And in times like this it's too late to fix it
The weight of the world couldn't change you
But if you died, no one would miss you
So here's to another night alone with all your fears
And all your demons, your deepest darkest secrets
The shit that keeps you from sleeping
It's better when you don't think about it
But you don't have the power, 'cause I'm your master
Speed up and surrender, this time is different
So indecisive, no wonder why she left you
One of the many reasons why you'd like to
Put a bullet in your head or veer left off the highway
You're walking a tightrope at your lowest
Now you're hopeful, but that'll change when the night falls
You're a waste of a lifeform
You should do what you couldn't do this time last year
You can hope and pray all you want but nobody cares
Death waits for the time comes, and the time's come
Shut me up if you'd like to
But you're a coward and you know it's true
I'll be here if you need me, up to you"
And there he is...the man himself...
KEVIN ABSTRACT
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| He keeps a gold chain on his neck, he's fly as a jet, and his boy better treat him with respect. Of course, I already gave this away, but let me reiterate here by saying that I definitely see Kevin as the Red ranger, for sure. |
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| Growing up and going through life in a nutshell. |
This isn't the first time I've written about Kevin Abstract but wow, the amount of clout and attention received from last year to this year is astounding. The man made himself a boy band and said "I AM GOING TO BE IN THE BEST BOYBAND IN THE WORLD".
But yeah, in all seriousness, it's great that he was able to slowly build himself up to where he is now. By releasing solo projects, keeping an active twitter (I seriously encourage all of you to go follow him haha he tweets like he's still a regular degular person lol)
When it comes to Brockhampton, he founded the group and basically picked up it's current members through being in the same high school together and then through eventually getting more members from the Kanyetothe forum.
Basically, the group's spokesperson and director, Kevin is usually the one calling for repeats of "STAR" at the show, interacting and hyping up the crowd, and just controlling the Brockhampton brand in general.
On songs, Kevin is most notable for his ear worm hooks (see "Gold" "HOTTIE" "SWEET" or basically any other hook on any of the "Saturations", it's insane how catchy this guy can be.
Beside hook duty though, Kevin, much like the other members of Brockhampton, also raps and to me, his best verse is....
Hold on where my drum roll at...
Gracias, por favor.
Annnnnnd my award for best Kevin Abstract verse goes to...
JUNKY, verse 1.
Like those before him like Le1f, Cakes da Killa etc., Kevin is breaking down walls for the LGBT community in hip hop. You can say things now like "I just gave my nigga head" in a hip hop song and it's alright, accepted even. This is great because Kevin, you can tell, is coming a sincere, genuine place when it comes to his sexuality, even if him being gay is a meme.
On here though, there is no joking, Kevin lays out his mission very clearly on a minimum as hell instrumental that kicks in the moment Ameer (who has the second verse on this track) starts his verse.
"Why you always rap about bein' gay?"
'Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay
Pretty much up until this point, Kevin hasn't really owned his sexuality like this in a hip hop verse. He would nonchalantly talk about being gay in Saturation 1 songs like "STAR" (even more so on Saturation 3 with the song "STUPID") but on Saturation 2's JUNKY he makes sure you are clear on what is being said.
There is no "Did he say I just gave my nigga head" instead it's "Yeah, he's gay, there is no 2 ways about it."
What I like most about Kevin's verse is how committed he sounds on it. Like when he says that spiel at the end where he goes
"Where I come from, niggas get called "faggot" and killed
So I'ma get head from a nigga right here
And they can come and cut my hand off and, and my legs off and
And I'ma still be a boss 'til my head gone, yeah"
Like, the delivery in his voice, whether it'd have a special vocal effect on it or not, moved me. It said, I don't care, this is me, Kevin Abstract. Brockhampton is knocking at that door and sooner or later they are going to kick in the door.
Kevin's verse on "JUNKY" is easily my favorite Abstract verse, although I do like Abstract's verse on "GUMMY" though, THAT was pretty cool.
So yeah, please read Kevin's full verse below, and then listen to the song AND read along to it so you can see if you can get a better grasp of why this verse is my favorite by Kevin Abstract.
[Verse 1: Kevin Abstract on "JUNKY" off of 'Saturation 2']
"I spit my heart out, lookin' out for my best interests
He gave me good head, peepin' out while the windows tinted
I speak in tongues and I arrive without a damn mention
It's kinda sick and I was born in 1996 and
1999 the only year that I remember
I slip through the cracks without havin' a damn temper
I bleach my hair because these bitches all about they bitchin'
I say shit when I rap and y'all niggas barely listen
I do the most for the culture, nigga, by just existing
Delete my tweets 'cause I'm ashamed of being a fuckin' Simpson
I told my mom I was gay, why the fuck she ain't listen?
I signed a pub deal and her opinion fuckin' disappearin'
I'm payin' bills for my sister and tryna fund her business
Is it homophobic to only hook up with straight niggas?
You know like closet niggas, masc-type
Why don't you take that mask off? That's the thought I had last night
"Why you always rap about bein' gay?"
'Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay
Where I come from, niggas get called "faggot" and killed
So I'ma get head from a nigga right here
And they can come and cut my hand off and, and my legs off and
And I'ma still be a boss 'til my head gone, yeah"
And next is...
BEARFACE
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| All I know is that he sings well, he could also be Brockhampton's attorney at law for all I know, but what IS known is that Bearface is a member of Brockhampton |
What color power ranger is Bearface? You may be asking yourself. And you're in luck, I have the perfect ranger for Ciarán McDonald (aka Bearface).
Bearface is the silver/white ranger of the group.
Why the silver ranger? Based on the power rangers seasons that I've watched the silver/white ranger is the lone wolf. The silver/white ranger only shows up when the rangers need extra help (like when a super villain has the upper hand) or when they dedicate a whole episode to just that one ranger.
Since Bearface is usually not on the average Brockhampton song and usually only gets his own track or 2 on the album, it's easy to make the comparison between the two.
Bearface is the lone wolf who shows up, handles business, and leaves. No if, ands or buts, no questions asked, just in-n-out like the fast food joint.
Anyway, what is Bearface's best verse? Well, since he mostly performs on songs only featuring him, you could probably guess which song I'm going to choose can't you?
Anywho, you already know what time it is...
DRUM.
ROLL.
PLEASE!
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| Still my best Drum Roll gif, in my HUMBLE. opinion. |
Bearface's best verse is...
WASTE, verse 1.
The lyrics on "WASTE" simply move me more. "TEAM" is great musically and probably bearface's best showing to date but I'm looking at this from a more lyrical perspective and I have to say, bearface on "WASTE" is more lyrically potent to me than "TEAM" or "SUMMER".
And of course the lyrics in text form for your viewing pleasure.
[Verse 1: Bearface on "WASTE" off of "Saturation"]
"Was I more than it's worth
Or will you see my name and I'll fade?
Pitch my camp in your mind
Sat by the fire, behind your eyes
And I'll look through them just once or twice
But I might see something I don't like
Like your hands in his shirt
Entwined in cotton, his loving smirk"
Annnnnnnd THAT's all folks! Year-End lists coming extremely soon.
Also, be sure to check out Brockhampton's music as well!
Projects to listen to by Brockhampton:
~ Joseph Sanker
written on Oct. 14, 2017
published on Dec. 27, 20177
Follow me on all the socials regarding this blog:
~ Leave a comment on this blog itself! Trust me, I get notified of everything. (Just scroll down and you should see an option to post a comment or click on "No comment" to leave the first comment.
Until next time! Peace out! One.
Written by Joseph Sanker II
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