B.A Badd “A.R.T Work” [EP] Review

Syracuse, New York native B.A. Badd’s newly released “A.R.T Work Ep”. The 7 track project features B.A. presenting his version of upgraded orthodox Hip Hop that upstate New York has been using to quietly put the rap game in a sleeper hold. Badd’s style is rooted in brashness that allows “A.r.t. work” to feel like a right from Tyson in his prime with a level of passion that makes one question rather its just lyrics or will this nigga really smack the shit out of your favorite rapper.

B.A. Badd’s pompous character comes alive immediately on the Ep’s opener “Aboriginal Badd”; over V Don’s haunting production. B.a. remains serious yet nonchalant as he runs though bars “Diador’s to your ass if you disrespect, the intercept, or level up your motherfucking intellect… Im killing niggas and crackers with the same gun, say a prayer, amen that’s the same sun”. The song also contains a speech about black revolution that brings a sort of paradox to the forefront. B.A.’s an intelligent gangster, well aware of role in society as a black man and his place in rap or even the hood as a bully.

Badd at times oscillates between righteous man and scoundrel but on “Real Time aka corcraft” its made clear the he’s not to be fucked with. Where he does it all from exposing big homies as suckas to serving drugs to your aunt and introducing your girl to his slang. The level of conviction radiating from the track makes B.A. feel bulletproof a notion that’s further cemented with the Digggers directed video which showcases the Syracuse emcee clad in gold chains delivery his performance in dope spots. It not until V don shows again with soothing samples that B.A. finds enough to comfort to appear imperial “4 churches in my hood couldn’t save us nigga….all this trouble in my life I got used to pain, just riding for my mane I aint choose this lane”, reveals that as hard as B.A. and his music is it was built through pain that created callousness for survival. The line “Death is quiet but the murder was heard” to describe a friends untimely demise is grim glimpse to reality that resonates with all whom have ever suffered the pain of losing a love one to violence.

By the time we reach the closer “knowledge born” there’s a somber tone present in both the listener and the music itself from surviving 20 minutes with B.A. and brief but dense lyrical exhibition of street tales and its effect on male psychology with his “A.r.t. Work” Ep. The track is everything the EP is; a schizophrenic autobiographical showcase of bravado that’s as brilliant as it is tormenting. Im just glad somebody got this crazy motherfucker off the streets and into the booth where his experiences become “A.r.t. Work” and those that can’t or shouldn’t walk a mile in his shoes can spend a half hour doing just that from the comfort of their headphones. Life has made B.A. Bad ford tough and he’s able to take that and make great music so just enjoy but don’t try this shit at home try it on soundcloud with the link provided below.

-Matthew Carroll