jamesbetamax’s “Vitamins” is an intricate tapestry of conscious, alternative hip-hop that expertly blends intricate lyricism with a raw, unfiltered insight into the self. The artist appears to dance through dimensions and ideologies, stretching the boundaries of conventional thought, leaving listeners to navigate the intricate folds of his mind. The energy of the song is intense and riveting, drawing on a spectrum of references, from Han Solo to Anakin, from Plato to Kratos, each line imbued with layered significances that mirror a multifaceted exploration of existence.
The relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery is a prevailing theme in “Vitamins”, with lines like “Half Plato, half Kratos / Get the message,” highlighting jamesbetamax’s navigation through philosophical ideation and raw, primal energy. The lyrics “Demon, blood in my eyes / Eating Marceline’s fries” combine abstract imagery with pop culture references, creating a rich and dynamic atmosphere. The variety of characters and imagery invoked, from “Azula” to “Sokka with the headshot,” not only enriches the textual landscape but also reinforces the notion of a continuous, multifaceted journey, one that’s steeped in complexity and unrelenting evolution.
The sonic architecture of “Vitamins” aligns harmoniously with its intricate lyricism, creating a musical ecosystem where each component enriches the other. jamesbetamax’s flow is intense yet meticulously crafted, reflecting a balance between spontaneity and precision. The mention of “Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles all in my vitamins” adds a playful element to the overall serious and contemplative mood of the song, demonstrating jamesbetamax’s ability to balance depth with levity. The song serves as an artistic rebellion, a metaphysical exploration, and a tribute to the multitudinous facets of existence, making it an exhilarating journey through the uncharted territories of alternative hip-hop consciousness.
The Flock is an idea that we had to help fans of a specific genre find multiple bands they love in one post. It helps us provide value to you, the reader, by putting more of what you want in one place. It also helps the artists. Fans of their music come to the page and become fans of other similar artists, growing their fanbase more efficiently. It also helps artists connect with other artists who have a similar feel, so they can help each other out, work together, play shows, etc. Our goal here is to help promote artists that we believe in and want to see succeed. The Flock is a great way to help with that, and we’ve seen some really cool things happen because of it. Let’s get into this edition of The Flock.
There’s nothing new under the sun, and there’s also nothing new about us falling in love with a Jamar Carr song. If you aren’t familiar yet, or you’re new to the blog/podcast, this man has been featured on the blog more than any other artist. He is a great writer, has a smooth cadence and flow, and is looking to use his platform as a rapper to bring to light topics that bother him. He doesn’t want to talk about the money, the fame, the cars, etc. He’d rather talk about racial inequality, the economic divide, and the struggles of turning nothing into something and breaking out of perpetuating cycles of poverty in areas of the country that the government has forgotten about. We love bangers as much as the next guy here at B-Side Guys, but it’s a lot harder to talk about from a lyrical standpoint. Jamar makes our job so easy by giving us insightful and thoughtful lyrics that tell the story of a man who is out to break the cycle that this country and that his neighborhood are both in.
I’m a product of my borough Queens get the money And us kings keep it thorough Demeanor often humble We only use aggression If our challenge is oppression Otherwise we drop gems And these words be our weapon I’m filled with ammunition Some brothers value money But I’m driven by ambition You’ll never know I’m hungry And for that there is a difference
Makk is the Lebanese Earl Sweatshirt. He even has a nod to Earl towards the end of the track. Lyrical melancholy hip-hop is something that we here at BSG absolutely love, and Makk is doing it at a level that can compete with anyone. What I believe the key to his sound is, is the fact that he doesn’t view his songs as songs, but as therapy. He has things he wants to say, or at least write, and this is his way of getting it out. When artists view their music this way, the emotion in their songs is palpable. Andy Hull, my favorite artist on this planet, said something to this effect. He said that he writes his songs not to fill an album, but to empty his mind. Every word has a purpose, and every song has a story. That’s not a direct quote, but it was the sentiment behind his words. Makk is an artist who writes in the same vein.
It’s hard writing these sonnets And when I read em I vomit I gotta act like I’m modest But I just find it ironic This fucking mess I made Leave it for another date working on my mental state you see it on my fucking face I Hope you all got the message This a vocal repression This a mental suppression But is This is not a fucking song it’s my therapy session
Who the hell directed this video? Give that person a raise! The trip is strong with this one. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I’m saying you should definitely enjoy a little bit of extracurricular activities before sitting down to watch this one.
NGHTMRE brings an absolutely slick track that perfectly compliments Pell, creating two fully formed and complete tracks in a 4 minute period. When Caleb told me about the transition at around the 2 minute mark, I kind of laughed and thought that there was no way there would be two fully fleshed out ideas and songs; I don’t mind admitting when I’m wrong. I’m wrong. This song(s) is so well rounded, and it is a perfect balance of producer/artist. Pell puts his trademark rapping style on the track, mixing up his cadence, switching between rapping and singing, and letting his unique timbre come through. NGHTMRE may actually be the feature here though. I’m usually a lyrics and vocals guy, but I don’t remember a song that I’ve listened to recently that made me audibly yell, “Yoooooo.” What NGHTMRE put together at around the 1:04 mark is so cool. For that reason, he gets the nod from me, but these guys both worked really well together and we hope to see more collaborations in the future.
I’m no cardiologist But you ain’t got the heart for this
That line is so good. We listen to a lot of music here, and that is a line I’ve never heard before. That’s just a quick note I had to get out before I did the review of the song. Let’s move onto the track.
Geno Five has written a track that everyone has been or will be able to relate to at some point in their life. He has had a relationship end with his significant other, and it was not a mutual agreement. The man misses his partner, and to avoid having it trapped in his head, he wrote a song about it. I love how he starts the song off by saying that he may appear fine on the outside, and he may even try to convince himself that he’s fine, but in the end, his feelings still eat him up inside.
Feels is the only thing that keeps it real Cause you can fake who you are and what they see, But you can’t fake what you feel
With a smooth cadence, a timbre that bounces between silky smooth and perfectly rough edges, and a beat that makes your head bounce and your lip curl, Geno Five has a track that is making it onto playlists ranging from hip-hop lists to breakup lists, which is a pretty hard feat to accomplish.
This flock is coming together to be one of the most eclectic lists while still remaining in the genre. Obi Khan brings that MC lyrical flow that’s reminiscent of a smoother Eyedea and Abilities. One thing that is wild about these guys is the difference in their voices. You go from a deep gruff voice to smooth rap that teeters on the cusp of singing. Lounge piano and turntables create a beat behind them that has enough variance to keep you engaged, but never detracting from the main event, the MC’s. This is the kind of song that makes me want to start skateboarding again. Then I remember I was terrible at it then, and I’d definitely break something now.
With an ethereal beat, off-balance flow, and vocal inflection for days, Darien Fields has something real with his track, Applesauce. He has that perfect blend where he talks on the track, but keeps the flow in line so he can hop back on at any point. The lyrics tell a story of possibly being bumped into a friend zone and being secure in that for now so you can maintain the friendship. The relationship ended, but the friendship is still there. It’s a really neat perspective to write a song from, especially in a genre that is dominated by lyrics about chasing girls, not being happy with the “friend” designation, and being god’s gift to women. Darien’s lyrics are more introspective and honest, citing that it is probably his fault that he is where he is, but he’ll work to fix it.
Squadron full of some goons So I’m never alone But if I’m honest with you I’ll be forever alone, yeah I’ve been all the way to space and back Spit a waitress rap While she was out in Norway I ran and lost more weight And after all that She still wouldn’t take me back Damn..
Well, I probably wouldn’t either Kind of a lost cause I wish I didn’t need her Wish I could stop, pause and rewind time I wouldn’t change a thing I just miss the ignorance Bliss in the make-believe
This beat is insane. The time signature, the beat, and the flow together are unlike anything I’ve heard before, and that is an absolutely beautiful thing. The beat starts off almost tribal, and takes a sharp left as the lyrics kick in with a deep tone and a cadence that constantly changes. I know at the top of the post we talked about how we look for rap songs that don’t follow the stereotypical lyric tropes of hip-hop. This one skirts that line, talking about how he keeps people that try to fuck with him out of his eyesight, but when you hear something great, you have to appreciate it regardless of the rules you typically abide by. This song is meant to break rules of stereotypical hip-hop and plays on a playground that most artists, regardless of genre, dare to touch. I don’t know Rodagues’ background, but I feel like there has to be some music theory somewhere on his resume.
I saved this song for last for a very specific reason; it tells a message that is applicable across the world. I am someone who goes hard towards my goals everyday, much to the dismay of my family and my brain. This song is a great reminder that you have to take time to breathe. Getting to the finish line isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. I know… cheese alert – but it’s so true. Working on this blog is a perfect example. If I was better at pacing myself and took my time to create a steady workflow instead of going 110 and burning out, I would have a much better end result. Luckily, when I’m off, Caleb’s on, and when he’s off, I’m on. A lot of people don’t have that kind of support though, whether we’re talking about a job, relationships, passions, or anything else that can suck you in.
This song is therapy. Lyrically, it is a great reminder that we need to take time to not be a robot and actually behave like a human being, and the beat is so smooth and soothing that it has already been added to my “wind down” playlist on Spotify. With well rounded samples and a flow that fits perfectly in his lines, MRGR has created a track that can seriously pull you out of hard times. Most songs are just songs; this song is more than that.
Alright guys, that’s it for this Flock. Check out all of these artists, buy their albums and merch, and keep track of when they’re going to be in your area.
Also, check out our Spotify playlist that features all the artists from the blog this month.
It’s time to wake up, and I’ve got a song that will have you rolling your hips in the bed before you roll your body out of it. Fyra’s new single, U Wanna, is a banger that still keeps the same groove that Fyra has become known for from previous singles like In My Room. U Wanna is a really honest song that delves into relationships becoming too busy and cluttered, and the importance of making time for each other. In Fyra’s words, “take a break, do the deed, get back on the grind.” On your commute this morning, keep that in mind. All work and no play, and all that good stuff.
Favorite Music Video: Dustin Tebbutt “Love Is Blind”
Love may be blind, but I’m luckily not. I mean, I’m very fortunate to not be blind for a plethora of reasons, but this video is definitely one of them. I would be curious to know how long it took Dustin to learn the dance moves for this song, because he seems to have about the same coordination as I do. Now, that’s a bit of an exaggeration because he’s a much better dancer than me, but with a backdrop of insanely talented dancers, Dustin definitely sticks out a bit. Another beautiful song from Dustin, and another wonderful video full of synchronized dance moves.
Favorite Lyrics: Call Me Karizma “JOHNNY”
Johnny’s got a loaded .45 Found it in his dad’s shoebox Johnny doesn’t want to be alive But he’s gotta make his school stop He’s- Sick of being bullied, his mother’s starting to worry But she doesn’t want to ask him or try to call the authorities Now he is on the bus, to him it’s just another morning But he doesn’t got a book, he’s got a gun without a warning
Cindy’s got a scholarship to Yale Wants to be a nurse and spread love Cindy’s moving out before the fall Only got a week til’ school’s done Taking every final of the season, she doesn’t mind ’em She’s always nice to the kids that are coming away behind her She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she’s way too kind But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
I’m not going to put all of the lyrics here because it would be a huge wall of text, but I was definitely tempted. Call Me Karizma’s new song dives into one of the messiest waters in the country right now, and makes absolutely no apologies. A hard hitting song with a nasty flow, the message is clear:
Reporting live from high school We’re now learning more about the terrible events that took place And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid To do something so evil and inhumane We’re asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs- To please offer help and love and compassion to those who need it Together we can make a difference
Favorite Composition: Alexander Wolfe “Your Love is a Wheel”
This song is such a rollercoaster. Alexander Wolfe’s new track was made for a movie. With many dynamic changes throughout the song, the track goes from ethereal instrumentation to headstrong reverb and offbeat drum cadences, stopping at a couple of places in between. The harmonies aren’t overdone, which is a common problem with artists in the same genre. Alexander Wolfe doesn’t live in his falsetto, but he definitely has a vacation home there. He makes really smooth transitions in and out of his falsetto, and has tight control over his upper register. This song will pick you up at your house, drive you all around town, and then take you back home at the end of the day, tucking you gently into your bed.
Favorite Ramblin’ Song: Traveling John “It Burns”
Man, you guys are getting so lucky that so many of my favorites of the week have videos that go with them. This video is great, but that’s not what drew me to this song. It’s a gorgeous video, and I’m crazy jealous that they got to spend time in such a beautiful space. Seriously, TJ, let us swing by. Next time we’re in Sweden… Anyways, anyone who has paid attention to the blog for a while, or if you listen to the podcast, you know I love a good ramblin’ song. What does that mean? Well, it means that it’s a song that you can picture yourself driving down backroads with no destination in mind with the windows rolled down. A beautiful song with tight harmonies and a folk-driven melody, It Burns is the perfect song for warm summer nights with a full tank of gas and nowhere to be.
Favorite Summer Song: Smalfeels “Pillow Fights”
Very few songs create a palpable atmosphere. Smalfeels new track, Pillow Fights, draws the listener in with a slick bass line, and holds you in place with smooth vocals, smart harmonies, and a quicksand composition; you don’t realize just how stuck you are until the track is over. This song is the perfect song to accompany a night of laying on your roof, having a few drinks, and talking about other planes of existence with a close friend.
Sometimes on the Morning Commute we like to get you pumped up with a headstrong jam, and sometimes we like to get introspective and use the commute as a way to figure out where you want not only the day to take you, but the future. Today, we just want to groove. It’s Friday, so let’s get the party started on the way to work this morning.
This NYC singer and songwriter has been making music since the ripe old age of seven, and it definitely shows in this reggae meets hip-hop track. Lyrically, it is exactly what you want the song to be. A track like this shouldn’t dive into problems like depression, politics, or heartbreak like so many of the songs we share. This song has one goal, and that’s to have a good time. With that goal in mind, Keyiente is the Lionel Messi of music.
“Why don’t you come, come,
and shake that bum, bum?”
Every track we feature on this site is going to be something that makes our personal playlists in some fashion. There are some songs that end up making every playlist we put together, and this is one of them. Windows Down Playlist? Keep Me High Up. Smooth Brass Playlist? Keep Me High Up. Feel It In Your Soles (lyrically conscious songs to dance to)? Keep Me High Up. Funeral Pyres? Keep Me High Up. Okay… maybe not the last one, but you get the picture.
Cal the 3rd starts out with the trumpet, beckoning your attention, almost like a king is about to enter. LV Baby may not be royalty, but his voice is about as close as you get to being knighted. There are so many rappers out there who fall in line and do something safe that they know everyone will enjoy. Those guys are needed for the kingdom to succeed. They have their place, and are greatly appreciated. Then, there are guys like LV Baby. With a raspy timbre and his constantly changing cadence, he tells a story of familial struggle; from almost losing his father to an aortic dissection, to losing contact with his brother, LV Baby leaves it all out on the table. He then follows up talking about his struggles by focusing on the many blessings he has in his life. When asked about the album and his creative process, LV Baby said,
“Simply put, I poured my heart into this record. I’ve been going through a lot, but I haven’t stopped working/creating. Thank God I’ve been able to make some of my best music throughout this period in my life. This song is a happy-sad summer jam that may have saved my life.”
These are the people in the kingdom who get to kneel before the kings and queens of rap-gone-by and get to become knights. Men and women who tell real stories, try new things, and hold nothing back. If you think that this song is a one-off lyrically, go check out American Pie. Damn!
We are going to keep updating this playlist every day, so follow it now and check back frequently to see new music throughout the whole month. We will be adding 3-5 new song each day all month long!
