4batz is a mysterious figure with tons of streams under his belt. How did he accomplish this? By doubling down on a sound that is easy on the ears and hella unusual. In “you made me a st4r,” 4batz attempts to make R&B music great again.
STREAM
TOP 5
Honorable Mention. act iii: on god? (she like) (Ft. Kanye West)
Wait a second, isn’t this album sponsored by OVO? What’s the big idea?
“act iii: on god? (she like)” has a very interesting setup. While 4batz is the one that confronts the song with mesmerizing vocals that perfectly align with the emotional, plucky instrumentation, Kanye West comes across as a carefree muthaf**ka who is the Michael Jordan of gaslighting chicks. To make a long story short, these two shouldn’t be on a song together, but somehow, someway, s**t ends up working.
Did Kanye’s feature push aside Drake’s feature from “act ii: date @ 8?” OK, this picking sides s**t is starting to f**k s**t up.
5. act vii: all we do is argue, argue
Is 4batz dating Stephen A. Smith’s sister?
When 4batz f**ks with Timbaland-like beats, I think he’s Jalen Brunson (aka unstoppable). One of the songs on this album that has a Timbaland-like beat is “act vii: all we do is argue, argue.” Though 4Batz’s delivery in the track isn’t the sharpest (he somewhat stumbles upon his words), I like how he switches vocal styles, toys with a simplistic melody, and speaks on super relatable s**t that young people in relationships go through.
4. act iv: fckin u (18+)
Back in the day, it was mandatory for every romantic black movie to play a song like this during a love scene.
4Batz is only 23 years old. What the f**k does he know about these ’90s-styled love songs? Then again, I guess he was made to a love song like this, so it’s probably in his blood. Still, I am extremely impressed with how he was able to freak the hell out of the SWV-ass beat that powers the track. Specifically, he nails the simplistic and blunt chorus, did a great job of saying he wants his chick’s body over and over again like them thirsty n***as used to do in the past, and laid down his vocals like a grown-ass black man with a flat-top and a beeper in his pocket. I’m more impressed than enamored with this track.
3. act vi: mad man
Ladies, does it scare you to hear a dude say, “I’m going to f**k you like a madman?” If it doesn’t, it should.
Folks can really say anything when they sing their words over a slow-burning beat, right? Think about what 4Batz is saying in this track: He’s practically telling his chick that he’s ready to smash her anywhere, and if he gets lucky enough to get her into his bedroom, he’s going to make The Joker faces while he smashes her. Since the melodies he delivers are intoxicating and his verses are perfectly laid down, we just ignore his crazy words. Oh well, this s**t is hard (No pun intended).
2. act ii: date @ 8
See, he already f**ked up. If you’re going on a date in 2024, that s**t has to start no earlier than 10 PM.
“act ii: date @ 8” is as romantic as it gets. In the song, 4batz mainly sings about spoiling this chick that he’s seeing. I gathered that she can best be reached by IG and that she already has a man (Yikes).
“Sly” perfectly captures the essence of “act ii: date @ 8.” In this track, 4batz doesn’t rush his emotions or vocals; instead, he gracefully navigates the quicksand-like R&B production, inviting listeners to luxuriate in its depths.
1. act v: there goes another vase
Yes, this is my favorite 4batz release thus far.
For enthusiasts of toxic relationships (although I can’t fathom why), you will enjoy “act V: there goes another vase.” In the track, which is powered by a smooth-ass beat that would make the Timbalands and Missy Elliotts of the world proud, 4batz uses his signature youthful vocals to explain to the world why he continues to come back to this chick who looks up to Draymond Green. He also shows off his possessive side by claiming he would “send a n***a to his maker” if they tried to snatch his girl up. All in all, I think this song has a flawless chorus, juicy lyrics, and great production.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. umademeast4r (N/A)
2. act i: stickers “99” (3,5/5)
3. act ii: date @ 8 (4.5/5)
4. act iii: on god? (she like) (3.5/5)
5. get out yo feelings ho (N/A)
6. act iv: fckin u (18+) (4/5)
7. act v: there goes another vase (4.5/5)
8. act vi: mad man (4/5)
9. act vii: all we do is argue, argue (4/5)
10. act viii: i hate to be alone (3.5/5)
11. act iii: on god? (she like) (Ft. Kanye West) (3.5/5)
RGM RATING
(C+) (78%)
The term “never judge a book by its cover” never meant so much to me. In 4batz’s case, outside of the recording studio, he carries himself like a goon who probably steals car radios in his downtime. As a matter of fact, that sentence sounded racist, but I have no other way of describing him. However, 4batz’s understanding of smooth R&B music is as good as any other up-and-coming R&B artist’s understanding of the genre, including your boy YK Osiris. Despite his vocals being heavily altered, in u made me a st4r, he completely nails the type of melodies, arrangements, production, and choruses that make R&B so great. Lyrically, I think he perfectly straddles the line between a certified lover boy, a simp, and Mr. horny man gets paid. While I completely enjoyed listening to this project, I just don’t know how seriously we’re supposed to take it. It feels like the musical equivalent of that one dude who shows up to the basketball court looking like a nerd but gives you buckets on every play. Who’s brave enough to stick their chests out and say this is actually pretty solid R&B music?
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.