Album Review: 'Too High To Riot' Showcases Bas' Ability to Rhyme With the Best
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From the title Too High To Riot, fans will get the sense that Bas is putting drugs over social issues but he is really trying to bypass it and sprinkling in the bigger questions and point out bigger flaws in society, while still having fun with his music.
In the opening track "Too High To Riot," Bas questions who the real enemy is while expressing his disdain for politicians and leaders who are drunk off of power and greed. The Queens artist even revisits the days where it was forbidden for a black man to have relations with a white woman and pointed out the British colonization of Sudan, which happens to be where his parents are from.
It's pretty eye opening and does actually educate the listener in a way.
(Album Stream Below)
The Too High To Riot album continues with "Methylone" one of the earliest singles from the album. "Methlyone" points out a pretty common and dangerous act in the world of drugs. "Methlyone" is being advertised as MDMA or "Molly" however it comes with much stronger and dangerous side effects.
Bas looks at some of the points in his life and realizes that he does have to step away from the drug and make a change in his life that will enable him to be much more successful.
He is now taking the chance that was given to him by J. Cole and the Dreamville team and it sounds like he plans to make the very best of it.
challenged myself to grow on this album, so these words from you mean a lot. thank you for growing with me.
-- Bas (@FiendBassy) March 4, 2016
"Dopamine", featuring Cozz almost seems like an inspiration to users who are driven by a low feeling. Bas raps that you're never as low as you think and inspires the "Dopamine" to flush the drugs rather than succumb to them.
The album continues with the previous single "Housewives," followed by "Miles and Miles" a smooth interlude and break from Ron Gilmore and KQuick.
"Live For" is one of the standout tracks as Bas finds himself moving forward in his life and doesn't have time for fake people or those who judge him and look at him funny based on what he has. Meanwhile "Clouds Never Get Old" is another one of those perfect songs for a cruise. Quite frankly much of the album is so smooth that Bas doesn't need to scream his words or accentuate his delivery.
His delivery and production are welded in a classic and soulful sound. It's honestly just great music from an artist who is living up to his full potential which means a great product for fans.
"Matches" featuring The Hics and "Night Job" featuring J. Cole were two singles and standout tracks on the album that mixed the pride of Dreamville and addressing the fact that Bas is also feeling the pain from all of the young black lives lost at the hands of senseless violence and police brutality.
"Ricochet" featuring The Hics and "Penthouse" are both excellent tracks that come towards the end of the album but the real master in "Black Owned Business." Bas takes a deliberate stab at the issue of judgement and police brutality based on a specific look that is associated with criminals.
The lyrics below tell you all you need to know.
The fathers that didn't pass, they all stacked in prisons
But that shit don't get a pass, no that shit don't get a grant
Might as well go fill a bag
Ridin' around, no tinted glass
Why I can't have tinted glass? Cause that cause suspicion
Cops flash like cinemax, don't lack ammunition
Overall Too High To Riot is Bas' best offering to date and that's saying a lot because his previous project such as Last Winter are pretty classic. What we see in Bas is heavy potential that Bas himself realizes.
It translates into a great body of music. You can stream Too High To Riot below and let us know what your thoughts are in the comments section.