Kaytranada and Aminé are an unstoppable duo in KAYTRAMINÉ.
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TOP 5
5. Master P (Ft. Big Sean)
Big Sean’s verse in “Master P” >.
So, the production that we get in “Master P” is making my hangover feel worse. It has this whirlwind sound that is threatening to get my Nandos up out of my system. As for Aminé and Big Sean, somehow, they keep the beat on a leash. While the former relies on a very steady flow and sticking out his chest more than Janet lyrically, the latter switches his flow a few times and focuses on how much he’s lapped his competition. I kind of like it when the underdogs got the whip.
My stomach just said “ughhh.”
4. Who He Iz
Aminé lets it known that he’s the bus driver in “Who He Iz.”
Not enough people put respect on Aminé’s name. When he wants to kick ass on the mic, he is more than capable of doing just that. With that being said, in “Who He Iz,” the Portland native kicks ass. Over this slick dance beat, he hits us with sly-ass bars that have him reminding folks how different he is from the people y’all think are cool. The way Aminé effortlessly rides the beat tells me that this rap s**t comes easy to him.
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3. letstalkaboutit (Ft. Freddie Gibbs)
Were you confused but not really confused when you found out that Freddie Gibbs was on this song?
“letstalkaboutit” boasts a simple hook and production that feels pretty laidback. With that being said, Aminé and featured guest Freddie Gibbs bring the fire. While the former switches between sounding gentle, drowsy, horny, braggadocios, and extra competitive in his verse, the latter sounds bold and ridiculous for his whole verse (Did Freddie really say he smashed the nurses that helped deliver his baby?). This song confirms that negroes that don’t care about s**t come in all forms.
2. Rebuke
“Rebuke” is simply a pure song (We don’t have enough of those these days).
“Rebuke” will serve as a cooling system for your ears. Kaytranada’s tranquil production combined with Aminé’s laidback vocals creates a concoction that is smoother than a Mojito with some flat ginger beer. Content-wise, Aminé speaks on the conflicting feelings that come with moving on from a relationship that was once good as hell for you. If you are a fan of 2000s Janet and ’90s Q-Tip, you’ll be a fan of “Rebuke.”
1. 4EVA
Most of us can hear sounds, right? Pharrell says he can see sounds. “4EVA” makes me believe that humans can feel sounds.
“4EVA” boasts production that is as vibrant, bouncy, zesty, and multicolored as it gets. While Pharrell chooses to get lost in the production, hitting us with these hypnotizing vocals that you can barely hear, Aminé takes a cold-ass approach that has him sounding like the definition of a heartbreaker that loves killing s**t without trying. At the end of the day, this track is all about its conflicting feelings and unique energy.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Who He Iz (4/5)
2. letstalkaboutit (Ft. Freddie Gibbs) (4/5)
3. 4EVA (Ft. Pharrell Williams) (4.5/5)
4. Westside (4/5)
5. Master P (Ft. Big Sean) (4/5)
6. Rebuke (4.5/5)
7. Sossaup (3.5/5)
8. STFU3 (3.5/5)
9. UGH UGH (3.5/5)
10. EYE (4/5)
11. K&A (4/5)
RGM RATING
(B-)
I said this in my post from last week: I don’t believe in bulls**t sayings like “I fell in love at first sight” or “You’re my destiny.” However, when it comes to music, I do believe in this very important saying: “A match made in heaven;” KAYTRAMINÉ is just that. KAYTRANADA is great at producing colorful hip-hop beats, while Aminé is great at dropping enthusiastic raps. With that being said, in this album, the chemistry between the two musicians is amazing.
First and foremost, I give the production on this album an A. KAYTRANADA does an outstanding job of blessing Aminé with beats that are multi-faceted, hard-hitting, and eclectic (If you follow Aminé as much as I do, you know that he gets bored by ordinary beats. He likes to rap over s**t that has some character to it). For the most part, Aminé shines as a rapper on this album. Even though there are moments in which I feel he sounds a little too monotone, it’s his confidence, witty punchlines, unapologetic lyrics, and overall charm that moves the needle for me. Like, I f**k with how comfortable Aminé is in his own skin. Do I wish he sang a little more as he did in “Rebuke?” Absolutely. I guess beggars can’t be choosers, though.
KAYTRAMINÉ reminds me of a really good cocktail. When you take your first sip of it, you might notice how smooth it is. When you take your second sip of it, you might notice how different it tastes from everything else. When you take your third sip of it, you might notice how much of a kick it has. By the time you finish it, you’ll feel either satisfied or drunk off it. At the end of the day, the album is an acquired taste that anyone on the planet can finish. If you are reckless like me, you might want two or three more rounds of it.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
