Carson rapper Baby Keem has teamed up with fellow California rapper Kendrick Lamar for his new single Hillbilles, which features a unique Bon Iver sample.
This is not the first time that the two MCs have collaborated. In fact, they have worked together on several tracks, including ‘Range Brothers’ and the legendary 2022 single ‘Family Ties.’ The track provides new material for fans who haven’t heard any releases from either artist this year.
Produced by Evilgiane of the iconic Surf Gang, ‘Hillbillies’ uses an interesting Bon Iver sample. Bon Iver has made many contributions to hip-hop over the years, with the band’s lead singer Justin Vernon even featuring on Kanye West’s critically acclaimed 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
‘The Hillbillies’ samples Bon Iver’s 2020 track ‘PDLIF,’ which itself samples Alabaster dePlume’s ‘Visit Croatia.’ This latest release from Baby Keem is most likely the lead single of an upcoming mixtape or album Keem will release.
The track was dropped with accompanying visuals. The grainy, retro music video was shot across various locations. One segment sees the duo inside the London Eye. Another sees the pair at a mall, and finally, viewers see the fans outside the LA Dodger Stadium with Tyler, The Creator, taking for the camera to promote his 2023 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.
Lamar lyrically shows his love for soccer on this track as he raps, “We gon’ fuck up the world, excuse me, but is that your girl? / Didn’t mean to possess your girl / Baby, I’m high profile, don’t ever tell ’em you met me, girl/ They gon’ think that you rep me, girl / 5ft 7″, I’m Messi, girl / I’ma pass you to Neymar, he got time for your bestie, girl,” referencing various Paris Saint-Germain stars. Both Keem and Lamar deliver lyrically on this latest song.
This is the first time the cousins and labelmates have worked together since Lamar released his 2022 album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which saw several Keem and Kendrick tracks. However, both artists are yet to release any solo material this year.
You can watch ‘The Hillbillies’ music video below.
