DaBaby: “Kirk”
Reported by Romare Ashford
On his record label debut “Kirk,” DaBaby doesn’t sway from his signature sound that blew up over the past year. The world was introduced to his hits in “Baby on Baby,” like “Suge,” “Walker Texas Ranger,” and “Goin Baby.”
Many fans like myself have gravitated toward his music because of his personality, punch lines, signature flow, an ear for beats, and overall humor. DaBaby has been able to curate a signature sound with the relentless flow and bouncing beats.
The leading single for this album “Intro” shows a more personal side of DaBaby. This song is a discussion of the loss of DaBaby’s father and his plans for the future. DaBaby lost his father right as his fame started to grow. The album “Kirk” was dedicated to his dad with his family portrait as the album cover. This song surprised fans and lead many to believe this album wouldn't be as humorous and braggadocious.
We were mistaken; Dababy sticks to his classic sound but occasionally laces this album with moments from his personal life. This album has DaBaby enjoying the fruits of his labor after signing a major label deal with Interscope.
At times “Kirk” can sound very similar throughout the album because of the beat selection and DaBaby’s flow. In this album, the star-studded features like Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, and Kevin Gates help break up the monotony of the project.
The major downside of this project is the arrangement of songs, which is evident in the placement of the bass-heavy “OFF RIP” after the somber and personal “Intro.” I feel grouping the more hype songs and personal songs together would benefit the sequence of the project.
At his best, DaBaby delivers entertaining lyrics and flows that personify his charisma with fun beats that make you want to dance and ride out with friends. He falls short at times when trying new styles. He still shows that he has and is creating a strong fan base. Moving forward, DaBaby should incorporate his personal life into his music more, but until then he will continue to make fun music for parties and shenanigans.