MUSIC: I QUIT x BUJEMANE
Bujemane dropped 'I Quit' and it has been 24 days since its release. And for about 19 of those 24 days, plus three or four bonus days to prior to release, I listened to 'I Quit' either in full or a few songs in particular at a time. The particular songs - Comfy shoes, Red Zone and What Would You Do are all different sides of Bujemane for a listener. Comfy shoes is the art-centric side of Buje that helps push along the idea of him being "weird". So it made sense that when I asked him about it's response when submitting songs to blogs the week of release and after was that they lowkey bashed it. Truthfully - it isn't one of the more lyrical tracks on 'IQ' but it has all the making of strong well placed intro. The beat floats in before dropping accompanied by Bujemane's words
"I can't wait til the day that me and my niggas make it"
immediate satire to the song title - living comfortable, walking in the comfy shoes. The production on Comfy shoes is also a great way to set the pace for the soundscape of 'I Quit' which is a lot more traditional (boom-bap) then the genre blurring garage trap BBE is known for producing. I've been presenting my case on that song in particular when in conversation about 'IQ' and I stand behind my decision that it is a must-listen. Red Zone was a lead single off 'IQ', it has both a modern flow and modern production, for Bujemane/BBE cultist repping Red Zone this one is a anthem of sorts. The songs itself is Bujemane describing initiation in one way or another, reminding friends and potentials that living in the Red Zone is a privilege. Red Zone is also the name of Buje's burgeoning apparel brand and that alone garners the song attention and did a solid job at promoting and raising expectations and eyebrows for the IQ's full length release. What Would You Do is heartfelt storytelling, there are points in the beginning of the track that Buje isn't even bothered to find the beat. It sounds and feels like a freestyle. But there are driblets of lyrical prowess that occur along with cadence switches that help build it into a song and keep away the run-on rap battle feel. It has the energy of an inspirational outro.
I had to talk about my favorites because the fan favorites are totally different. First, Bujemane himself claims 'Longsleeve' as his personal favorite, when asking around Pneumonia is the song that is often brought to that table before discussion of 'IQ'. When I ask why there doesn't seem to be one element of the song that attracts people more than another but the production is unique and hook is witty and that is usually the formula for success. Outside of those key components it is really the slow flow that Buje is known for (but he enhanced with clarity and altered cadence) that captivates my ear through out the tape. I don't hear enough of that in the industry today (slow flow - where the Shynes and Loons at) and it is a upgrade from his mumbled, slightly faster pace flow Buje was using before releasing Gas, Red Zone and I Quit. My hope is that this is the sound Bujemane sticks to for a bit, yes I want it to evolve and sound tighter and more intentional but 'IQ' is a sound that separates him from the plague of trap rap that still finds it's way into every song and dance, it also holds truer to the content heavy style the PNW has help crown and keep around. "I Quit" is 7 tracks of introspective hip-hop complete with all the bells and whistles of modern youth and angst. Buje isn't just speaking for himself - hell, I quit too.