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Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples.
An album with a concept of limits, probably based on the idea of a fish being incapable of growing due to him living in a fish tank. Just like Vince felt trapped in the US being black and labeled as ''black'' ''crip'', not letting him to grow.
An album with a concept of limits, probably based on the idea of a fish being incapable of growing due to him living in a fish tank. Just like Vince felt trapped in the US being black and labeled as ''black'' ''crip'', not letting him to grow.
BFT is Vince Staples's second album, released on June 23, 2017. A project praised for his concept, variety of flows, great features and a production that makes him stand out from the rest. Let's start with the tracklist.
1. Crabs in a Bucket
The title makes a reference to the crab theory: a crab can escape easily from the bucket if he's alone, but if he's around a lot of other crabs, they will stop his attempt of escaping.
Vince feels that he isn't going to reach mainstream success.
The title makes a reference to the crab theory: a crab can escape easily from the bucket if he's alone, but if he's around a lot of other crabs, they will stop his attempt of escaping.
Vince feels that he isn't going to reach mainstream success.
Funfact: Justin Vernon co-produced this track.
2. Big Fish (with Juicy J)
While Juicy J brings us a great hook, Vince starts rapping about how rap changed his life and his way of seeing things. In the music video he shows himself rapping in a boat with sharks around him. Big Fish but with bigger fishes over the place.
While Juicy J brings us a great hook, Vince starts rapping about how rap changed his life and his way of seeing things. In the music video he shows himself rapping in a boat with sharks around him. Big Fish but with bigger fishes over the place.
3. Alyssa Interlude
With a sample of Amy Winehouse talking about toxic relationships and her experiences with love, the rapper from Long Beach just expresses his feelings and how he felt Amy's words, just because he missed the warmth of a girl too.
With a sample of Amy Winehouse talking about toxic relationships and her experiences with love, the rapper from Long Beach just expresses his feelings and how he felt Amy's words, just because he missed the warmth of a girl too.
4. Love Can Be...
If the previous track showed a heart-broken Vince, this track just shows energy and rage. An outlook on what can be classified as love.
The appearances from Damon Albarn, Ray J and Kilo Kish and the Good Times Ahead's production makes this track flawless.
If the previous track showed a heart-broken Vince, this track just shows energy and rage. An outlook on what can be classified as love.
The appearances from Damon Albarn, Ray J and Kilo Kish and the Good Times Ahead's production makes this track flawless.
5. 745
As much as Vince wants him to feel love, this feeling is a tricky obstacle for him. Another track talking about his relationships with women, but not in a sentimental way, but nihilistic. Vince's usual style.
The title makes reference to BMW's 745i model.
As much as Vince wants him to feel love, this feeling is a tricky obstacle for him. Another track talking about his relationships with women, but not in a sentimental way, but nihilistic. Vince's usual style.
The title makes reference to BMW's 745i model.
6. Ramona Park is Yankee Stadium
In this skit, Vince paints his appreciation for his gang, the Naughty Nasty Gangsta Crips. They identify themselves with a NY Yankees hat. Also, he talks about his relevance. Would someone care if he gets killed in Long Beach?
In this skit, Vince paints his appreciation for his gang, the Naughty Nasty Gangsta Crips. They identify themselves with a NY Yankees hat. Also, he talks about his relevance. Would someone care if he gets killed in Long Beach?
7. Yeah Right
where do i start? Vince is questioning the life rappers are ''living'', whether they're being fr or acting. Also, he mentions other topics like money and plastic surgery.
After Vince's verses, KUČKA makes a beautiful bridge about disunion and division. But...
where do i start? Vince is questioning the life rappers are ''living'', whether they're being fr or acting. Also, he mentions other topics like money and plastic surgery.
After Vince's verses, KUČKA makes a beautiful bridge about disunion and division. But...
After KUČKA stops, a HUNGRY Kendrick Lamar deliveries a verse with amazing flows, clever wordplay and unmatched energy.
ALL OF THIS over the production of two great artists: Flume and SOPHIE. The best rap song of 2017 in my opinion.
ALL OF THIS over the production of two great artists: Flume and SOPHIE. The best rap song of 2017 in my opinion.
Now the album isn't lovely.
8. Homage
''Just lose yourself in the music.'' A fun track about feeling powerful, nobody's gonna hold back Vince. He also talks about he feeling underrated, as we can say on the lines:
''Where the fuck is my VMA?
Where the fuck is my Grammy?''
8. Homage
''Just lose yourself in the music.'' A fun track about feeling powerful, nobody's gonna hold back Vince. He also talks about he feeling underrated, as we can say on the lines:
''Where the fuck is my VMA?
Where the fuck is my Grammy?''
9. SAMO
Referring to the track, Vincent said in an interview: ''if a painter made the same painting—we’d all discredit them. Then why do we expect musicians, and rappers specifically, to do the same thing over and over and over?''
Hence the hook: WATCH ME DO THE SAME OLD THANG
Referring to the track, Vincent said in an interview: ''if a painter made the same painting—we’d all discredit them. Then why do we expect musicians, and rappers specifically, to do the same thing over and over and over?''
Hence the hook: WATCH ME DO THE SAME OLD THANG
In this track, Vince bases his lyrics on bag-chasing. Also he has uncredited vocals from A$AP Rocky.
10. Party People
Vince stays with a sober life, far from drugs & alcohol. Still, he had to struggle with suicidal thoughts and anxiety. That's why he needs party people. ''Good vibrations, all i need''
Vince stays with a sober life, far from drugs & alcohol. Still, he had to struggle with suicidal thoughts and anxiety. That's why he needs party people. ''Good vibrations, all i need''
This track is produced by Zack Sekoff, the same dude that produced most of the tracks of this album. So, i'm gonna use this tweet to applaud him. I love the production on this project
11. BagBak
This track is one of the most critical. Criticizing the wealthiest people, Donald Trump and telling us an advice: Don't act like we know Vince. Probably he has a dark past that we haven't discovered.
''Until the president get ashy, Vincent won't be votin'
This track is one of the most critical. Criticizing the wealthiest people, Donald Trump and telling us an advice: Don't act like we know Vince. Probably he has a dark past that we haven't discovered.
''Until the president get ashy, Vincent won't be votin'
12. Rain Come Down
Vince finishes BFT with introspection. Verses talking about murder, feeling lonely and girls being with him for the fame.
This song has a Ty Dolla Sign feature on the hook, singing a phrase of open interpretation: ''Rain Come Down''
When the sun comes down.
Vince finishes BFT with introspection. Verses talking about murder, feeling lonely and girls being with him for the fame.
This song has a Ty Dolla Sign feature on the hook, singing a phrase of open interpretation: ''Rain Come Down''
When the sun comes down.
Conclusion:
The album is flawless. The way we go inside Vince's thoughts accompanied with unique production and great, well-chosen feelings makes this album have a big replay value. Easily, my 2017 AOTY.
10 / 10
The album is flawless. The way we go inside Vince's thoughts accompanied with unique production and great, well-chosen feelings makes this album have a big replay value. Easily, my 2017 AOTY.
10 / 10
Thanks for reading.
If you liked it, please retweet and like. I would appreciate it a lot.
If you liked it, please retweet and like. I would appreciate it a lot.
