Keeng Cut has never done anything regular. The crowned Flavor King has been putting out hits that has garnered a loyal fanbase. Each and every drop is like a viral event of shares, likes, and comments. But it was when he linked up with dj noname. that a new sound started to emerge of culinary opulence that can only experienced, but never duplicated. Their 2020 debut project “Snackin’ With Flavor” (read our review here) was released at the height of the Pandemic, and for many people became the soundtrack in an uncertain time. Now that the Pandemic is overish, these two are back again for a sort of side mission, with the release of their new project “Ballin’ With Flavor”. Ballin’ With Flavor is a 10-track project that seems like the appetizer to a more full-length project in the Flavor catalog. It’s a tape that marinates and gets better with each listen. At times showing off the how well-traveled Keeng Cut is from the names of the song "L'amour en Paris", to the life lessons like in the song The Other Side of Ballin' all the way to the featured artists that include Texas artists EDF and Rick Blaine Swang. Let's get into it! The first song on the album is More (Intro). It has this grand feeling where longtime friend and artist CorkyClean, kicks off the album with an even grander introduction. CorkyClean has been mentioned on some of Keeng Cut’s albums such as "Fiesta on Jensen Drive Got the Best Pinapple in Houston" , it’s like finally meeting a character from one of your favorite shows, and he is real-life a good person. Keeng Cut slides on the beat like a 70s soul singer that smoothly grabs the mic giving real-life luxury raps. This sets the tone for the album. This is only the start to ballin. When it comes to one of the best opening lines in music, “The Life” has to be Top 5. “Rest in peace to every conversation that died, since I said my price”. If that ain’t a hell of a statement, then I don’t know what is. This song is Keeng Cut being honestly braggadocious and unapologetic. There are lines that paint this lifestyle that is not only about wealth but also centered in health. Like this one, "I’d rather be rolex-flirtin, far from hurtin’, Murano shirtin’, blue-berry lemon drop fuchsia sriracha sauce squirtin’." This is such a luxury bar, which in this album he gives in abundance. It also has to be mentioned how he ends the song is such a punctuation, “I'm a ball every season off the flavor and the seasoning, I'm taking my style back, I'm the desistin' and ceasin'”. Come on. That’s a fucking bar. Also, dj noname. you are a genius for finding this track. It gave Keeng Cut the room to drop his nuts on this track. Make sure you watch the Grit n Go Cypher Mic Drop performance to let you know just how much he is rappin on this track. Ballin’ with flavor baby with seasoning 2,
Track 3 is Figures, a track that is very reminiscent of those southern player raps where the flow was slower, but the bars were just as sharp as its coastal peers. The jazz production gives the track this nostalgic feel where Keeng Cut slows it down with the rhythmic cadence of his ad-lib “uhh” that becomes almost a hypeman to his own track. He shows that his ability to switch up flows and stop on a dime while the anticipated bar flies right by the listener like a Hot Sauce move on an the And 1 Mixtape Tour. Again, he puts on display his lyrical skill and ends the song with such a bar, and clarifying statement of the flavor lifestyle, Ballin’ with flavor baby with seasoning 2, but this flavor shit ain’t all about eating food.
Like Jordan doing a no-look behind the back finger roll, dj noname. comes on the Swish and talks his shit. He’s not only one of the best dj’s in the town but he’s been getting some of the best raps from Oklahoma legends on his beats, so it’s only right, he talk his shit. Swish as the title suggests is about ballin, what’s unique is that this is where we find our first true features with Dallas collaborators Rickey Blaine Swang from Dallas and EDF from Houston. EDF's verse from the beginning bar is like that cousin that's always been good at basketball and is a volume scorer because he racks up bars, “I’m stickin' to the script like Scorsese”, OK Houston, EDF continues this ballin' streak of bars with similes and metaphors that compound over the course of the verse, don’t let the slowed up delivery fool you. He rappin! Rickey Blaine Swang proves that he got his own motion and handles his verse with finesse weaving through the bars at his own tempo. "I feel like Bron, when in the bubble, never trippin off your double, and I’m ballin’ so hard I done had a triple-double." It shows that even though the three artist aren't too far from each other geographically, that they are still very unique. Keeng Cut and his Texas neighbors create an ode to Texas culture and the contributions that Texas rap has had on the music. It’s one of those songs that if you were around during the height Texas mainstream musicthen the song hits so much harder’. But Texas has seen a lot of mainstream success lately and this is proof of why labels are going to the Lone-star state. L’amour en Paris which translates to love in Paris is exactly what this track is, Keeng Cut is on a cross-country adventure with his love in places that many will only experience through this track. Keeng Cut's getaway is not for the puppy love phase, but is very much a grew in-love stage, because both sides grew because of the other. Splurging is different because y’all splurge on each other, and there doesn't need to be a because, and it doesn't even make it to the gram. This is a way more baller version of “You can have whatever you like”. He’s mentioning luxury brands that only people with money know about and experiences that only people that have been in Paris have experienced. It's Amoure! Never Worried is like an internal monologue or better yet a reflection of the world we live in. Keeng Cut reflects on true experiences that comes with travel, and it's through these travels that he's realized that it’s a big world, and once you get outside your area you’re gonna appreciate that worldly view when you travel, because as he says “Tulsa Winters hit hard, you gonna need a trip or two”. Lastly, there is a hilarious commentary in the middle of the track where he tells of a story about jumping in his friend's ride and the seat is in a gangster lean. The bridge at the end lets the listener know that Keeng Cut really lives his raps as the Ninja blender that is referenced then echos in the background to infinite flavor. "Saw a nigga become rich,
The production for Stack It or Invest It has this New Jack Swing vibe that is very uptempo and flashy. but Keeng Cut and Don Greedy ground the listeners with the game they put in their raps. It’s lessons of personal experiences weaved in the bars along with real advice. From stacking your paper for a rainy day to being OK with being a W-2 Employee, Keeng Cut slashes through the stereotypes and has a real conversation with the listeners. Don Greedy continues with his advice starting at the bridge, "Stack that money til it’s old, but when it’s old it molds. You better invest that shit." That’s real-life advice especially when the dollar has lost 11% of it's value, just this year. He goes on to show how people who seem like they have no motion are quietly making millions, "Saw a nigga become rich, that used to be smokers, saw a nigga get a whole pound, savin’ roaches”.
Ballin’ Like This (Interlude) feels like that Motown showcase track with a live band and three backup singers, it’s so short but still has all the elements and full production that makes it feel like a full song and leaves the audience wanting to hear more. The repeated chorus of “Ballin’ on you" contrasts against the luxury bars of Keeng Cut. It feels like infinite ballin'.
The Other Side of Ballin’ has a very Somber feel to it. I imagine it like the tipping point in American Gangster where Frank Lucas’s world comes crashing down. It’s an honest representation of what can go wrong for example when he says, "Everybody fall, but it’s about how hard you land, Do you got some cushion or that shit gonna break you man?" He reminisces on all the money he spent and the time when his back was up against the wall. But can you see the patterns and what you're doing wrong before it's too late, or will you continue the insanity, because the pendulum swung back in his favor. It’s a true story of resilience and learning through your lessons, let’s be honest some people don’t make it through to the other side. That rainy days are as promised as sunny ones.
Big Favored
Outro time. I love an outro because it shows how much an artist cares about a project, and if you listen closely there are usually clues to what the artist has up next. Favored n Flavored doesn’t disappoint. I love how he comes right out the gate rapping with this crazy 4-bar rhyme scheme that punctuates the moment in the album. It’s a song of thankfulness for his life and most importantly thanking God. What is most eye-opening is his near-death experience, which would’ve turned most cold. But Keeng Cut chooses to be Flavored!
There you have it Ballin' With Flavor, a tape that is no doubt another championship trophy for the dynamic duo that is Keeng Cut and dj noname.. I think this album is just the appetizer to a bigger project, but like gumbo, you gotta let them cook. Or to keep with the basketball reference these two are still setting up the play. One thing is for sure, Ballin' with Flavor is one of the best albums to drop this year. Make sure you go stream it and purchase your limited-edition vinyl! Buy the Vinyl: Ballin' With Flavor Vinyl Stream the Album: Ballin' With Flavor Make sure to follow Keeng Cut and dj noname. on social media: Instagram: @keengcut Instagram: @nosamyrag YouTube: Keeng Cut TV
1 Comment
 "Yesterday's price is not today's price." Today's price is definitely a lot higher. The sounds of dj noname. are no exception. Many emcees have drooled over the opportunity to rap on a dj noname. beat. A lot people can play tracks but not too many can have a verzus fight. Especially when the opponent is dj noname. His catalog can literally go toe-to-toe with any producer in the game. Yet he still has that humility that keeps him grounded and a student of the game. But every now and then you hear dj noname. TALK THAT TALK!.
 It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment when dj noname. stepped onto the scene. But when he did come no one could've imagined the immediate impact that he would have on the Tulsa music and art scene. It all seemed to come at the right time, when all the stars aligned. But also it came at a time when the big money started to take an interest in the local music and art scenes that were happening right in his own backyard. So who is dj noname.?
"I'm the kind of man who likes to know who's loopin, these beats, Bambi." This is exactly what listeners want to know. Just who is making these crazy beats? The culprit would be DJ Noname.. Who in only a short time has become one of my favorite producers and has been on a crazy run dropping EPs with the top tier artists in the town. He's become what some would call an album crate archeologists how he is able to dig through samples uncovering masterpieces that are so soulful and so filling .He made 'Snackin With Flavor' that proved his culinary skills to whip up one of the best projects of the year. I say one of the best because his EPs appear multiple times for this category of musical bliss. This time is no different, as he drops an EP with Bambi titled "Your Money's No Good Here".  How do you define a time? Music. It’s the power of music that transports you to a time of memories experienced. And if not experienced you still don't have to go to far to see just how unique these experiences are. DJ Noname is an artist who is taking his unique experiences and blending them with fellow producer DJ $ir Mike to transport listeners to what can only be called “Sir Noname.”. |
About Author
|
RSS Feed