Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. — better known as rapper Baby Keem — released his highly anticipated second studio album “Ca$ino” Friday, delivering his most vulnerable work to date. Across 11 tracks, Keem showcases versatility through dark production and emotionally charged writing while confronting the instability of his upbringing. Paired with its rollout that included a documentary, “Ca$ino” becomes Keem’s most introspective work yet, as the album exhibits parts of his life he previously kept private and a newly matured version of himself.
Leading up to the album’s release, Keem uploaded “Booman,” a three-part documentary series on Youtube offering an intimate look into his past. It explores his childhood, beginnings as an artist and complex family dynamics. Additionally, the episodes introduce key figures who shaped him, like his mother, grandmother, aunt and cousin, hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar.
Many of the documentary's most personal moments — such as his mother’s eviction and grandmother’s death — are spoken to on the album. Additionally, Keem outlines how Lamar, his remarkably successful cousin, pushed him to carve out his own success instead of relying on family ties. In the final episode, listeners learn the inspiration behind the album’s title, as Keem’s mother would take him to the casino in hopes of earning enough to pay rent. These stories ground “Ca$ino” — setting the stage for an album that unapologetically revisits Keem’s turbulent childhood in Los Angeles.
The introductory track titled “No Security” is a standout, firmly establishing the emotional tone of the album. Centered around the sample of Natalie Bergman’s song “You Can Have Me,” it creates a somber, soulful atmosphere, with the lyrics “I just want the truth, all I want is you” on repeat hinting towards the honesty on display. In the song, Keem confronts feelings of survivor’s guilt and familial trauma, laying the foundation for the album’s themes as he raps, “Shakin' off them battle stories, how I made my path to glory.”
At the end of “No Security,” the sound of a roulette machine spins, seamlessly transitioning into the titular second song, “Ca$ino.” Built on dark production, heavy 808s and synth riding over the beat, Keem boasts about the success of his hip-hop career. Halfway through the song, a signature beat switch occurs as Keem shifts to a high-pitched, staccato flow over childlike voices.
Songs like track five “House Money” and track nine “Circus Circus Freestyle” feel most reminiscent of Keem’s previous projects, leaning into heavy, rage-filled energy. “House Money” in particular recalls the bombastic brass and aggressive 808s of “family ties,” a song that has garnered over a billion streams on Spotify and secured Keem his first Grammy.
Another standout track that materializes the album’s themes is the ironically titled “I’m Not A Lyrist.” Often dismissed by critics for his writing, Keem responds with some of the sharpest and introspective lyricism on “Ca$ino.” Over a mellow, somber piano beat he illustrates a series of tragic vignettes that showcases the danger of his childhood. “Drugs in my baby stroller / needles in the playground sand / A child with the wolves, everyday I am.” Each image builds on the last, capturing a world ruled by addiction, danger and loneliness. Keem even likens himself to “that slot machine that nobody held,” framing his upbringing as one defined by abandonment, with nobody betting on his success.
The emotional core of “Ca$ino” arrives on track 11, “No Blame,” where Keem confronts the neglect that shaped his childhood. Throughout Keem’s work he has spoken about his fractured relationship with his mother that left him feeling abandoned. “I was seven years old, waitin' on you in pajamas / You said you would come home / Should've never made that promise / How could I blame you mama?”
Rather than condemning her, Keem recognizes the complexity in her struggles, seeing empathy as a path towards healing. This continues as he recalls, “I've seen you in the worst way when the police say they've found you / Grandma told me you died, how am I gon' live without you?” Keem reframes forgiveness as a way to grow, revealing his ultimate goal to become better than the circumstances he was given.
The album’s 37-minute runtime should theoretically allow Keem to remain focused and emotionally poignant, but some musical detours arguably weaken that focus. Tracks like “Birds & the Bees” and “Good Flirts” veer into the R&B genre as Keem meditates on love. Kendrick Lamar appears on “Good Flirts,” delivering a playful verse that some listeners may find tonally distracting given the album’s heavier themes. A similar situation is found on track seven “$ex Appeal.”
“Dramatic Girl,” is the most distinct song on the album, featuring an upbeat instrumental with bright guitars and a grounding sound more reminiscent of pop music. These tracks work individually, but still distract from the emotional momentum built from more introspective counterparts. Keem also uses his signature distinct vocal switches throughout the project, which may split listeners between those who believe it is artistic and those who find it jarring.
Ultimately, “Ca$ino” highlights Keem’s range as a writer and producer while simultaneously demonstrating the power of pairing music with intentional storytelling. The documentary rollout enhances the album’s impact, allowing lyrics to land with even greater weight. During a live online premier of the album, Keem explained his ethos behind the vulnerability of the project.
“A lot of these stories I used to be embarrassed to talk about … I kind of changed my perspective on that. It’s not embarrassing [anymore], it’s an empowering thing … This album is for that kid that walks home slow.”
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