The Scene

Bodega Bamz is reasonably new on the scene, hailing from Harlem in New York he epitomises the fresh New York vibe resonating from the East Coast. Since 2013 he has been dropping tapes and touring around the United States and has close links with the A$AP crew, especially A$AP Yams before he passed. 'Sidewalk Exec' is his most recent album and it's safe to say that Bamz will be one of New York's premier rappers of our generation.

The Songs

Down These Mean Streets - Simple but sets the gritty theme off right.
Bring Em Out ft. Flatbush Zombies - Quintessential new school raps.
Woopty Woop ft. Blahzay Blah - Bamz shining with his rhyme schemes.
Gods Honest ft. Joel Ortiz - 100% real, Harlem type of shit.
Cocaine Dreaming ft. Youth Is Dead - The joys of cocaine.
El-Rey - Peep the Lionel Messi reference and Spanish words
Invoice ft. Aston Mathews - Lighter jam, toasting.
Raw Deal - Top shelf story telling from Bamz.
Killa ft. Lil Eto - Dangerous, don't approach.
Billy Bats - An anthem; "shoot em up, never ask questions, leave them dead"
Everybody Eats (Interlude) - Flexing the muscle.
I'm Ready ft. A$AP Yams - Tribute/reflection/what's next?

The Vibe

Bamz doesn't mince words nor does he try to pamper to what the masses apparently want as Sidewalk Exec is all about the streets and the tales that Bamz has experienced. The overall vibe of the album is dark, there's no airy-fairy tunes that get you bouncing around, celebrating life but it's equally as entertaining despite the creepy keys and aggressive tone.

The Music

Most of the production is handled by V Don who has worked with a bunch of the East Coast's younger breed and keeps a cohesive sound throughout the album. There's a variety of slow motion jams, similar to the A$AP sound but with the funky rhyme patterns and flow where he can change his speed with the drop of a hat, there's always something new around the corner.

The beats are kinda low key, they provide a simply but funky canvas which when juxtaposed with Bamz and his bars makes for a perfect mix. Bamz is hard hitting, there's no sugar coating, he keeps it all the way real and for me the beats don't overshadow his voice, they enhance his message.

Flowin’ like I’m Juicy J, Project Pat with a gat, black gloves and shades
Spanish Harlem born and raised, repeat it till my dying day - Woopty Woop

I’m ready to meet him
Ready to see him, world so cold
I ain’t complaining I’m saying my heart’s so froze
Hope you feel every word that I speak
I went to church as a younging, now rappin’ is how I preach
God bless - I'm Ready

Niggas coming to rob me but getting nada
As soon as they kick the door, I started blasting
I see my man hit the floor, felt tragic
But I ain’t goin out, yelling every time I let a shot off
You better kill me nigga, pop off, turn the lights off
I’m by the office door tryin’ to creep
Feeling like Carlito in the bathroom and I have to pee
While Training Day playing on my flatscreen - Raw Deal

Eureka

Remind me not to cocaine, or not to do too much of it.

TanBoys.

If you rap slightly different in a way that is unique to you, you're going to sound dope. There's too many jokers who follow the same patterns and flow.

RIP A$AP Yams

The Finale

You probably haven't heard too much of Bodega Bamz before, but Sidewalk Exec should get you onboard pretty swiftly. If you're after bars, then Bamz has them in abundance but he's also got an entertaining sound and plenty of stories to draw upon. It's a versatile album that can be played in a variety of situations depending on your mood and I highly recommend that you go cop it and open your ears to someone new.