Baby Keem Keeps It All In The Family With His Single Family Ties

Throughout history, there has always been this idea that certain bloodlines produce extraordinary individuals. This same ideology is also rooted in hip-hop. From Dr. Dre and Warren G. to the not so obvious Snoop Dogg, Brandy, And Ray J. But what about a kid named Baby Keem and another good kid that would eventually grow up to be Kendrick Lamar. The two artists both cousins, with Kendrick being the big cousin and the bigger artist. His company pgLang is still relatively new, but their goal seems to create a star out of Baby Keem. Some might call this nepotism but as Kendrick and Baby Keem see it, it’s “Family Ties”.

Family Ties was released on Friday, Aug. 26. The single is Kendrick’s return after a hiatus from music with DAMN. dropping over 4 years ago. The game has been missing Kendrick. And he popped out to let the world know that his pen is still sharper than ever, but also that his cousin ain’t no one to be fucked with. Baby Keem has been making a name for himself with the smash single “Orange Soda” as well as co-writing the track for Beyonce’ called “Nile” that appeared on “The Lion King” soundtrack. Even the cover seems to be influenced by Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City cover which displayed Kendrick and his family members with their eyes covered by black boxes, this one with more people but the same black boxes over family member's faces.

And niggas wanna play both sides
It's a red dot, don't get on the wrong red eye
It's a headshot, Damien Kane, Woo
                                                                      - Baby Keem "Family Ties"

Baby Keem starts out the track by showing his lyrical skills with metaphors and bars while also switching between flows seamlessly. You can definitely hear Kendrick Lamar’s influences in his vocal inflections and the different flows he uses, he OD’s on the beat similar to his cousin. Toward the end of his verse he goes on this lyrical assault similar to a Mortal Kombat combo that leaves you wondering. WHEN IS THIS DUDE GONNA BREATHE! From this type of effort you can only infer that from his perspective, he is someone that has so much to prove, but also like the player who didn’t get drafted and has that chip on his shoulder to show people why he should’ve been the number one pick on all the label’s lists. Don’t get it twisted. Baby Keem is humble enough to acknowledge his cousin’s active role in getting him to where he is now. “I'm grateful to Man-Man, he opened up doors. A bunk on the tour bus to come and compose.”

Smokin' on top fives
Motherfuck that album, fuck that single
Burn that hard drive (Burn that shit)
                                                                          - Kendrick Lamar "Family Ties"

Who starts out their verse with, “I am the omega, pgLang, Rollie gang, SIE. Don't you address me unless it's with four letters...”. Kendrick Lamar. The Control verse penmen is back and from his observation, the game is looking too comfortable right now. Time to shake it up again. And this verse…. IS AN EARTHQUAKE. His delivery on this track is godly in the sense that he knows he’s the chosen one. He knows the effect he has on the game. He said it in his first bar. “Smokin on your Top 5 tonite”. His bars are still as iconic and biblically referenced. Bars that include words like Elohim, Metatron, and Gabriel had Genius.com decrypting his lyrics as if they were teachers at bible study with every bar in yellow highlighter. But Kendrick is THE ONE! And THE ONE can get away with pretty much murder. This is what he does in the last 4 bars of this song. How can you tell someone to “Burn that hard drive”? That’s so disrespectful. But also respectfully disrespectful. All traits of a Gemini. Which is a tiny bar that he sneaks in with a reference to Kanye and his recent change toward God.

Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – family ties Lyrics | Genius Lyrics


Throughout the track, the production has switched, most noticeably with the transition from Baby Keem to Kendrick. This formula was most successful with Travis Scott and Drake’s song “SICKO MODE” that went crazy on the billboards. The track ends with both rappers jumping the track. Each tagging the other in as they spit. Baby Keem is a talented lyricist with bars. Check out this line, “Two phones, but I only bring one in this bitch”. Get it. Burner phone. Burner gun. And what else does Kendrick have to say, “Smokin' on top fives, stop playin', I'm that guy”. Which. THIS WE KNOW!


Family Ties is a dope track. Give it a listen and let us know what’s your favorite bar!
​
Also let us know about what you think about the video which is the flagship video of pgLang!