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In Review: Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem's "The Hillbillies"

After generating significant buzz through a surprise video teaser featuring Tyler the Creator announcing the revival of Camp Flog Gnaw, Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem have finally unveiled their highly anticipated collaboration, titled "The Hillbillies."

SOUND

EVILGIANE, the producer behind the track, skillfully employed a creative sampling technique by extracting chopped vocals from Bon Iver's haunting and atmospheric song, "PDLIF." The sampled vocals are cleverly integrated beneath an energetic and lively drum-driven instrumental, creating a bouncy and fast-paced backdrop. Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem showcase their individual rap styles over this captivating beat, seamlessly complementing one another. As a result of their impressive sound, they receive a stellar rating of 9 out of 10 on the Intersect Rating Scale.


LYRICS

Drawing inspiration from the introspective themes of resilience and triumph in the original track "PDLIF," Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem skillfully spin a positive narrative by highlighting their own achievements and carefree lifestyle. Through their lyrics, they confidently proclaim, "Fuck it (Yeah), new devotions (Uh-huh), Huh, keepin' focus (Please don't live in—), Starship, is that a foreign? (Please don't live in fear, a foreign)." Their verses serve as mutual motivation, urging one another to maintain their diligence and drive. The tangible results of their hard work are evident in their remarkable success. As a result, their lyrical prowess earns them a notable rating of 8 out of 10 on the Intersect Rating Scale.


ART BEHIND THE TRACK

Sampling, despite being a contentious approach to crafting music, has consistently yielded exceptional outcomes. This technique, rooted in the origins of hip-hop, involves repurposing music from diverse genres to enhance a new track. Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem not only embrace this time-honored tradition but also push the boundaries of innovation with each endeavor. By skillfully incorporating samples into their art, they showcase their ability to find new and creative avenues for expression. As a result of their artistic prowess and dedication to this practice, they deserve a commendable rating of 9 out of 10 on the Intersect Rating Scale.


Overall, these two earn a 9/10 on the Intersect Rating Scale.


Stream “The Hillbillies” below.



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