Artist Profile: Lil Baby

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(Image Credit: Christopher Parsons via Pitchfork)

Skyler Randleman, Writer

Lil Baby is one of if not the best rappers of the new era, first starting as more of a “Mumble” rapper and now starting to be more lyrical and putting heart into his songs. Lil Baby started making music in jail where he found himself. His first mixtape was released on April 14th, 2017 featuring big stars like Lil Yachty, Gunna, and friend Young Thug. 

“We Paid” is a song where Lil Baby speaks on himself and says he’s still with the “guys” even though he’s rich and he will always be with the “guys”. I relate to this because I feel like with my friend group we’re right and I’ll always have their back no matter what, and I feel like that shows what type of person you are if you’re loyal or if you’re fake. You should have your friends’ back even if it might put you in trouble. 

“On Me” is a song where Lil Baby talks about multiple things from already being a millionaire but still trying to be a billionaire to not just being a celebrity and how he has feelings too. I like both of the messages on this song because I strive to have this dedication to things knowing if I ever made it to the top to keep pushing to be better, and also having feelings is okay and you don’t always have to be heartless. Showing some emotion can show how much of a “real” one you are. 

“Sum 2 Prove” is the song where Lil Baby talks about how he doesn’t have anything to prove to anybody but himself and how he’s already proved enough from already making it out of the “mud” from going to jail and getting out of jail and becoming one of the most successful people on Earth musically speaking. 

“Emotionally Scarred” is a song where Lil Baby talks about how he’s emotionally scarred and how he has little to no feeling anymore due to being constantly bombarded by people and hurt by people he used to call friends, so he can’t get close to anyone anymore. my favorite verse from the song is “A love letter came through the mail, it said, “I miss you” I ripped it up and flushed with the tissue, try to forget you I ain’t got nothing against you, we human, we all got issues but I’m tired of being tired of being tired That part of me done died I see it, then I don’t, act like I’m blind”, I relate to this because I’m tired of people always expecting stuff from me or expecting me to not have feelings and sometimes it’s like I’ve lost that part of myself and I don’t know where I am or who I even am anymore.

“Bigger Picture” is a song where Lil baby speaks on racism. The song opened my eyes to Lil Baby and showed just how much of a lyrical artist and how much of an influencer he can be. The song speaks on the tragic murder of George Floyd, he also speaks about his personal experiences with law enforcement. He says that he starts to run when he sees the red and blue lights even if he’s done nothing wrong, there is fear in his heart even when he’s done nothing. I can relate to this does being a minority I’m always kind of scared that my mom could get pulled over or I could get stopped by the police and those could be the last minutes of my life.