Not Bia, Holding Nothing Back!
The consistent heat that Bia has already put out. As well as the accomplishments, catalogue and her character, are some of the reasons why us taking a deep dive in to the album – is a must!!!!
So, without further ado, here, we, go!!!!
October
The crazy thing about October is, the song, artistically and musically speaking feels like the Artist is showing us it all. The tempo of the song is slow and intimate. The song opens up with us hearing Bia singing and being vulnerable twice over, by opening up and letting us in on her most private feelings.
That the song evokes these feelings, is perhaps no coincidence. As Bia is naked on the album cover.
The song is about wanting someone and caring, only for those feelings to be unreciprocated by the other person. Leaving Bia to feel colder than October.
The chill, rhythmic vibe of the song, along with Bia singing and the piano, uptempo beat and trumpet. Gives the song a melancholy, Jazz meets Hip Hop fusion type of vibe. The fusion is really rich indeed and there are even some hints of classical music. Bia was sure to pay attention to detail in this song and between the production and Bia’s offering, October is the type of song that can easily stay on repeat.
Just one minute and forty nine seconds long. October, may nevertheless have you listening to it the entire year round.
Dade Featuring Key Glock.
Is a straight up Hip Hop song. No fusion vibes here. The beat is steady, infectious and overall the song is also one that you can keep on repeat. The song is one where Bia talks her ish, is feeling herself and gives the listener a healthy balance of lyrics and flow. Both Bia and Key Glock understood the assignment here. Both rappers score an A+ for the homework they’ve handed in here. This song makes the listener feel good, rich, ambitious and victorious. Which is reminiscent of how Rick Ross’ music tends to make its listeners feel. Great work here from Bia, for real for real. As, we always say, music’s main job it to make us feel good.
We On Go II
Is an uptempo, belligerent war song. Where both Bia and Denzel Curry go on the offensive and shoot out bars designed to give any haters or opps, cause to pause. The hook, is chanted out rhythmically (think War Chant). Giving the vibe that the time for reasoning or peace talk, has past and instead, this track is more like killing spree season for Bia and Denzel Curry.
Denzel Curry brings a Southern rap element to the song which speaks to exactly who Bia or if you will, Bianca, really is. Who is that you might ask? Someone who is picky about who she messes with. Every feature, feels like mutual respect. Geographically speaking, a featured Rapper could be from anywhere. Whether that’s the East or the South, but consistently, we see Bia only messing with Rappers that can Rap at a high level. (E.g. Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, G. Herbo, Timbaland etc etc).
To paraphrase what Bia recently said in an interview with Nessa at Hot 97, Bia only stands with those that are about something!!!!
Sad Party
Is about taking a loss in your love life. You meet someone that pleases you physically. You think you may have found the one, only to find out that that person, is still for the streets. A sad party indeed.
This track is therapy because taking a loss in love is something that most of us can identify with. The song is a fusion between hip hop and house or drum and bass. This song is by no means bad, it might be a grower. The fusion vibes as well as how the different parts of the song come together, could be the reason why this song is less catchy and instantly attractive, than the other songs on the album.
Vulnerablity is a major theme and thread, connecting all of the songs together. Which is one of the things that makes this song special.
One Thing
Bia has Caribbean roots (by way of Puerto Rico). So, when you look at the art she puts out and see or feel Island Vibes, that low key is the reason.
Moreover, Bia has recently spoken on the inspiration that Lauryn Hill is to her. All of those things, her Caribbean roots and her love of Lauryn Hill, all shine though on this song.
One thing definitely has some Reggae music infused into it. This song low key sounds like a remake, a response of a young girl that learned the lesson of Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop/That Thing and therefore insists on, playing for keeps. On this track, Bia lets men know: her body is off the market, she is independent and up on game. Bia wants a ring, houses, loyalty. In other words, real committment.
One Thing by Bia is the type of song that men want their daughters listening to. The values of self esteem, self love and standards, that the song features, sets a great example for women. On this Reggae infused track, Bia gets conscious. Stoners may well enjoy this song too.
Pray For You Featuring Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison.
Following on from the conscious vibe of One Thing, is Pray For You. The main genres of this song are Afrobeats/Amapiano. Which speaks to Bia showcasing her humanity and tapping into a genre of music that has been moving the entire globe i.e. Afrobeats/Amapiano.
This song is about Bia’s need for substance. For things that are spiritually nourishing. The importance of spiritual health e.g. prayer, is alluded to in this song. However, the song merely alludes to these things and is anything but preachy or like a sermon.
This track is about the opposite of living the fast life. It is about moving forward once things are in alignment with our best interests. The song also feels like experience talking. Like too many prior losses is the reason why no more losses can be accepted anymore. Bia’s message in this song is artistic and indirect. Her approach in this song is extremely unique. It opens up with her singing but the track flips from channel to channel and takes the listener on a journey. Very interesting stuff from Bia here.
Hard Way Featuring Becky G.
Is like Bia just exploded. Bia recently shared thay she’s introverted and extroverted. This song is like Bia took the gloves off and just let her hands go. Letting the world know that she has ammunition and firepower that only she is fully aware of.
Production wise the track samples the classic Shakira & Wyclef Jean’s, Hips Don’t Lie. The first thing the listener hears is the familiar Trumpets from that epic song. The next thing the listener hears is Becky G’s pop vocals going off as the hook comes in.
Next, the beat drops and Bia is in full Rap attack mode but Bia is honoring her Puerto Rican roots and emitting Puerto Rican pride. Bia is in given zero F’s mode. No doubt this track is going to be some people’s favorite because this track brings so much to the table. This track is like a full course meal. So many intricacies and flavors going on, that folks simply have to throw up their hands and give it up to Bia.
Where else can people get, Latin, Hip Hop, Reggaeton vibes like this?!!!!! That’s a serious question looool!!!! (Feel free to leave answers in the comment box at the end of this article).
Bad Guy
Following on from Hard Way, Bia once again surprises but this time, what stands out about this song is Bia’s flow!!!!!!!!! Bia’s flow is like H²0. It’s untraceable. The irony is, on a previous song (Dade) Bia has a bar where she alludes to people having no idea how’s she coming.
“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s coming in through the mail”….
Well in Bad Guy, her flow is untraceable/untrackable. One minute it’s giving Shyne. The next, it’s giving Biggie. Then it’s Foxy, oh no wait, Lil Kim. Even the most informed Hip Hop fan, is likely to struggle to keep up with the many nuances of the flow Bia puts out in this song. The second you think you have her flow figured out, it transforms into something different – Chameleon style. Shape Shifter indeed.
What’s more, this song has so much substance that Hip Hop fans can chew on this song for years to come. Thank goodness this is only Bia’s debut album. Which should mean we can expect plenty more material from Bia.
+44
This track is Bia showing us, once again, that she is in touch with what’s happening globally. There is more to Bia than her just being a local rapper. Since sis is in touch with the entire globe. The main critique of this song is that it is too short. We, the people need at least another verse. Maybe even another two verses. Depending on Bia’s preference, a collab with a UK Rapper would make a lot of sense here.
To be clear, +44 is the UK area code. The track speaks to Bia taking a visit to the UK and her using it to make a song. Bia, even lets her take on the UK accent color her delivery on the song. Her versatility shines through on this song and the tune is definitely a banger. Just please give us more next time Bia????
Ready Set
Follows on neatly from +44 as the tune has very strong House music vibes. The song is definitely giving international House party vibes. Bia’s versatility again shining through as she destroys this uptempo, House fusion beat. The song is giving luxury, wealth, exclusive party type of vibes. The song is not exactly Pop, but it does clearly show that there is more to Bia’s abilities than just Hip Hop.
Birthday Behaviour
This track is kind of Hip Pop. The beat is reminiscent of something Super Producer Timbaland would put out. With Bia being on her Birthday Behaviour, she is in the mood to behave way worse, than usual. On this track Bia shows us that bad side of hers that she tends to keep hidden. Meaning that Bia indeed shows us all of herself. Remember the album cover?
Linking up with Young Miko, is kind of like Bia linking up with herself, a young Puerto Rican Rapper who is leading a brand new attack on the game. Young Miko proceeds to insert an absolutely fire verse in Spanish that solidifies Bia’s Global and Caribbean ties. Having had her fair shares of wins already, Bia lets us know that her birthday behaviour is different from most. The track ends with Bia singing and proving that she is way more than just a rapper.
Guava
On this song, Bia is back to taking shots at any would be enemies. Simultaneously Bia is f’ing up her opps with this one – as she decrees death by lyrics and flow – for her foes!!!! The only critic of this song and the album in general is it would be ideal if the song was longer.
Bia needs to know that when she takes us to a place of pleasure like this, she has to give us the time we need to actually enjoy it all.
This track is like a really good time, that leaves everybody wanting more. Give us another verse please Bia? We know you got those Bars, so just give them to us already.
NWFA
In this song Bia takes aim at men for being hoes. Men have been (wrongfully) slut shaming women since time began. It’s only fair that Bia gives men a taste of their own, slut-shaming medicine.
Again, Bia needs to keep her finger on the pulse and keep up her assault to ensure that it really hits its mark. Especially since women really have been getting slut shamed since forever. Bia should ensure that she devotes more time towards addressing the slutty behaviour of men.
Kudos to Bia for addressing a real topic in a way that only can be described as art. The hook is powerful and emotive. The beat is pure heat, that instantly lets the listener know that Bia is about to be on the war path!!!!
The jestful, mocking tone in which the hook is delivered is very special. The Nursery Rhyme vibes of the song is also genius. Just give us more please Bia, that, is, all!!!
Awake
This is giving, conscious, street smart, hustler, who only has success for an option. The beat goes super hard and is somewhat reminiscent of 50 Cent’s classic, Many Men. The hook features a soulful singer, romanticizing the grind with their vocals.
Bia the Rapper then shows up and skillfully takes the listener through what it’s like to go for yours, against all odds.
Bia does on this track what many Puerto Rican artists seem adept at doing. That is addressing the reality of the struggle without it feeling too draining. On the contrary, Bia’s flow and the production will have your head bopping to this track.
Bia’s self belief, optimism, as well as the musicality of the song are some of the reason’s this tune makes you move and is enjoyable.
Crazy Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Crazy, is a threat. A threat to the other person that if they do something crazy, to mess your relationship up, you too will go crazy in return.
The ordeal of having passionate feelings (maybe love) for someone other than yourself. The lack of control that comes with that and being dependent on the other person choosing to behave how you want them to, is enough to drive a sane person crazy.
Feeling passionately about someone you want all to yourself who, you are unable to trust. Is again, enough to drive a sane person, mad.
All these issues outlined above, is what this song is about. Bia toggling between rapping and singing gives the song a very beautiful balance. Ty Dolla $ign was born for features like this!!!! Y’all know it is impossible for bro to fumble this feature!!!!
Trifling
Bia really gets on her story-telling, real Hip Hop ish with this song. Trifling tells the story of Bia answering an early morning phone call. Without giving the story away, it’s safe to say the main theme of this song is someone being trifling.
As Bia says in her interview at Hot 97, women need to hold the men they’re with accountable more so than other women. Trifling is about holding whoever is guilty of cheating in a relationship accountable, rather than whoever the third party is.
The track ends with a classic sample of Nicki Minaj going off on men who are too weak to want strong, intelligent women.
Which basically means Bia is low key trying to put both men and women up on game, through this song. Who could hate that?
Conclusion
Bia really did her thing. The glaring main weakness of this album, is that some songs are too short and need at least an extra verse. A shortcoming than Bia is well capable of fixing.
Bia has shared that she put out this album now because she has grown as an artist to where she is capable of putting out music with substance. Which points to her next album, likely evidencing even more growth than we’ve seen of Bia thus far.
This amazing emcee is definitely on the right track as being vulnerable and putting your truths in your music, is how great music is made. Every side of Bia is worth being seen and her fiery side is a great thing for Hip Hop fans to see.
The main thing for Bia to bear in mind is, we normally need songs to be at least three minutes long. Bia is such a great student of Hip Hop and Music in general that every song adds value to the album. Every single Hip Hop fan alive needs to listen to Bad Guy and the album as a whole, as this album will probably resonate differently to different people.
Therefore, it makes sense for everyone to experience the album at least once for themselves. So they can figure out what they subjectively appreciate the most. Overall, would give the album a solid eight out of ten. The album is catchy, eclectic and proof that Bia has more to give Music than any of could ever know.
