AKIRA REVIEW: AZEALIA BANKS' 1991 EP
Azealia Banks' 1991
1991
So this FANTASTIC EP starts out with the title track “1991”
(named presumably because that was the year she was born). And let me just say, this song is total
FIRE!! The song starts out with a
few seconds of the beat (which is fantastically made, like nothing heard prior)
and some ambient noise, then out of nowhere, this little spitfire MC just goes
in HARD. I would love to comment
on the lyrics, but Banks’ spit is so fast that I couldn’t pick up some defining
lyrics, besides the “bitch”’s and tid bits of French pastries mentioned. Another one of Banks’ talents is her
singing, you would never expect it from an MC to sing like a pro, but she
does!! She sings out the song at
the end, and then lets the beat just totally finish the song out. However this song is a total blast,
it’s very urban outfitters cool along with a kind of spit that just screams
underground rap scene. The first
song on this (let me say it again) FANTASTIC EP is a total hit. Worth a listen 1000%.
Van Vogue
The second track on this EP is “Van Vogue”, and it totally
lives up to its fashion-esque title.
The song is riddled with some sample, which sounds like Sia’s voice
(she’s very hot right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I am right) and some
very 90’s synths. This song, just
like “1991” (the song before it) is a total blast to listen to. Banks’ does not slow it down here, once
again just going at it with “bitch” being tossed in here and there (not that
I’m complaining, more of just an observation). She is rapping at 100mph, here and throughout the whole
EP. The reason that this song is
5min+ is because there is a spoken outro in which (presumably) Banks’ disguised
voice just trashes and bashes this “bitch”. Not that I don’t love a good trash talk, but if I had to
choose, I would just listen to the SONG itself, because that is what everyone
is here for, and it does not disappoint.
Again, another great great great song. :D
212
Being Banks’ breakout single, this song already has a lot of
opinions attached to it, and not that it needs one more, but there is a reason
why this song and this artist is/are so hot right now. Because this song just does not
quit!! Banks’ goes in with a
childish kind of gangsta-bitch flow that is rivaled by only the veteran female
rappers of my time (missy, eve, da brat, lil kim, etc.) and Nicki Minaj. The difference between them and Azealia
Banks is that because Banks is still an up-and-comer on the scene, she can get
away with being as raunchy and explicit as she wants, as opposed to others, who
now have to think about their larger audience now that they are big (not that
it will necessarily stop them, but it just has to be a thought now I’m
sure…). I’m talking about the primary
use of the c-word (I don’t know who will be offended if this word is being
used, and I never use a derogatory word in a derogatory sense, so I will just
leave it as the c-word). ALL THAT
ASIDE, this song is the reason why we know Azealia Banks today. Not only does this song showcase her
mad skillz (yeah, skillz, get over it.) but it also demonstrates her singing
abilities, which are just leagues better than the current holder of the female
MC crown: Nicki Minaj (sorry, I love you, but you just gotta give props where
props are due). This is the most,
“childish” (for lack of a better term) that Banks’ sounds on this EP, but make
no mistake, her flow is still all her, and that is why we love her. LONG LIVE AZEALIA in da 212!!!!
Liquorice
This is (arguably) the most “house” track on this EP, but
still true to its hip hop nature.
The production on this song is just really well done, with some sort of
(again) 90’s vogue-esque synths that just sound incredible against Banks’
voice. If there’s one song that
really showcases Banks’ ability to hold her own against a greatly produced
song, it’s this one. She (again)
raps at just 100mph and does not stop, and sings here and there on this
track. This is the final song on
the EP and it ends strong.
THIS EP IS
AMAZING. There is a reason why
Karl Lagerfeld asked her to perform at HIS HOUSE for his party. Banks raps like the best of the boys
and the top girl (Nicki Minaj) of the moment. Her singing is also not to be ignored, because it is just so
on point with her style that you just can’t help but stand up and applaud after
you listen to this EP. I cannot
wait to hear more from this MC, because she is bound to do great things. If you haven’t discovered or listened
to AZEALIA BANKS yet, DO ITTTTTT.
It’s worth it.