The Rap-Up: Thank You Basedgod Edition

The Rap-Up: Thank You Basedgod Edition

March 30, 2012 · by jpapandreas · in ,

By: Jay Papandreas

If you’re familiar with one Brandon McCartney, then this article probably isn’t for you, but since I’m pulling double-duty and writing an article for my public relations class and also one for the blog, so I’m writing to you about the most peculiar, divisive, and interesting rappers in the world.

Lil B isn’t for the faint of heart or for fickle ears.  He’s not what anyone would call good upon first listen, because it’s likely that you heard the wrong song to first listen to.  His most popular songs are the ones he doesn’t try on.  For example, his songs, “Justin Bieber,” or, “Miley Cyrus,” where he makes a song strictly around repeating those names.  On the contrary, his songs like “DOR: Death Of Rap,” “I’m God,” and “DOR”s sequel, “RIP The Rap Game,” are modern classics.  He raps over plodding, uninspired beats half the time and then raps over sparse, expansive, ambient beats from Clams Casino.  He titled an album, “I’m Gay.”  He is not gay, but chose to do it in an attempt to change the meaning of the word in the rap scene.  He’s an oddity, for sure.

“RIP The Rap Game”

“Miley Cyrus”

It’s hard to say that a majority of Lil B’s music is better than the songs I first mentioned.  Not because it isn’t, but because he’s released nearly 7-800 songs and done so primarily under the radar.  It’s hard to wade through a discography like that.  He puts mixtapes out without telling anyone that they’re coming.  He drops videos without saying anything on his Twitter.   He created his own dance craze that emulates cooking and eating food.  He subscribes to a philosophy that he created himself, “Based,” meaning that he’s too close to himself to care what anyone outside of him thinks.  Because of this, he refers to himself as the, “Basedgod,” and fans are more than willing to call him that.

This is an actual Lil B tweet

Speaking of his Twitter and social media websites, he’s created his own brand there, too.  His Twitter is full of odd musings about life and retweets from attractive girls.  One minute he’ll be talking about how much he learned from a homeless man in San Francisco, and the next minute he’ll be talking about how much he loves animals but hates brown recluse spiders.  His Tumblr is pictures of his face photoshopped on to other celebrities and even pictures of random people wearing odd clothing with text like, “Lil B said I looked cool today.”

Fonzie supports the Basedgod and his many endeavors

The fact is this: you either get him or you don’t.  If you don’t, then you’re not missing out on much right now, but with NFL players doing his “Cooking” dance in the end zone, he can only get bigger.  Regardless of what you think of his music, you can’t deny that the message is good: Have fun, do what you like, and remain positive.  Lil B isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but to those of us who enjoy him, he’s a much deeper rapper than most, and I think that’s what makes him so likeable.  Oh, and it’s hard to not like someone who puts all of their music out for free and fights against homophobia in the rap scene.

Thank you, Basedgod.

PS: if you’re going to listen to a mixtape this week, I’d suggest you spend an hour or so listening to Lil B and finding songs you enjoy.  “I’m God” and “Motivation” are my two favorites.  Enjoy the based life you’re about to live.

“I’m God”

“Motivation”

By: Jay Papandreas

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