Bandemic by Burna Bandz

#1 Pop Out: The smoothest flows from Burna off the whole album easily! He was so comfortable with this beat! “Everyday be with killers like it’s normal, I cannot slip can’t afford too, catch a opp I just can’t play it cordial” 

Burna Bandz is living a very different life from any of us. The people he rolls with are savages and that’s the only way to make it in this business. He knows his roll and what he’s gotta bring to the table consistently for his crew. Also some nice original wordplay saying he can’t play it cordial can’t think of a track I’ve heard that before!

“I come from the mud you wasn’t there with me, love me while I’m here if you care for me, if you had your last would you share with me” This is a great way to see if new people in your life are really there for you instead of what you bring with you. Focusing in on “if you had your last would you share with me”.

That’s a true testament that will make someone family. A great quote from a fallen talent La Capone who was on the come up with Lil Durk but was unfortunately shot and killed after leaving the studio in 2013 comes from his track “Play For Keeps”.

“And if he can’t break bread, he fake. I had one mo’ buck on my plate. It was me and bro, we was in the sto’, And both of us got fifty cent cakes” the comradery of rappers and their crew is something I envy at times with how well they all take care and watch out for each other. It’s beautiful.  

#2 Frustrated: “I’m destined for greatness, just need more patience” Stick to the grind and your time will come! Burna Bandz seems wise above his years for just being in his early twenties! He knows this is the path he’s destined for he’s just making a plan and putting it in motion!

“What would you do for that money? Tell me would you take the risk? Before I let a n—— take something from me, Ima rock out with the glizz.”

He came from a different place where people don’t look out for each other and it’s survival of the fittest. The world’s got so many examples of this everywhere so I don’t see why rappers get villainized for rapping about this reality in a flashy way. They’re artists with words trying to capture our attention, they need shock value to keep us entertained.

There’s plenty of examples of this harsh reality on the internet and it’s terribly sad seeing people forced into this mindset. People on the outside looking in think it’s cool because when you’re younger the rebel gets all the attention so people who crave that attention try to get it the same way if they can’t by being themself. This is until you get involved and see the realities they were facing you knew nothing about. (Influence by Yellopain is a great track to get you thinking about this topic)

3. Ghetto Stories: “OG told me never take these n— out they element, cause when they get caught they gon switch up and then start telling shit” Never heard this kind of saying before but wow does it make so much sense. Some people can’t handle the stress that comes with success or the things you have to do to get success in some places. So having someone that isn’t mentally prepared for that battle with you is gonna end up being a future obstacle. 

“Fell down got back up again, all it took was patience, bought a Rollie just to show these n—  what time of day it is” The ups and downs of life and success. Seems like they come hand in hand sometimes! Resilience and continuing the grind is the only way to get passed it. I agree with something Andrew Tate has said. The amount of stress you can deal with determines how successful you’ll be. If you want an easy life you won’t be doing anything important!

#4 Heart On Ice: “Like what’s the point in talking just be about it” This is a perfect quote I wanted to stick out to everyone. Nothing you want will happen if you just talk about it! Also Andrew Huberman has talked about this topic before! Just telling people what you will do gives you the dopamine that doing that same task hypothetically would’ve. So it’s almost self sabotage psychologically! The best thing to do is make a plan and follow it!

I think on this track he was really letting himself feel many of the emotions he still is feeling from the passing of Houdini.

 “You know I ain’t living right I’m pouring lean on ice”  “Iced out the Rollie I was trying to freeze the time” “Bloody money so there’s blood on the Rollie”

Hearing rappers open up to these awful experiences and griefs of life are actually super inspiring for me. Even though this was quite minuscule I feel like I can learn something from them because in interviews of many rappers I’ve been writing on they got their “brothers” they can bring anything to. Being able to open up takes real strength but you need to find someone you can trust to take on your pain as well. You need people in your life who care to listen to you!

#5 Shade: “They gon’ have a n—white blanket where he lay. I seen some shit gotta take to the grave. They ask how I’m doing and I tell’ em great” Burna Bandz has seen some terrible things in his life that he probably can’t talk about in a public eye. I love the last line of this bar because it’s gotta be so hard to ignore the pain and feelings that are with those memories but he knows the implications opening those memories back up. 

“Got choppers outta province, choppers out the state, Money on your head now we laughin’ to the bank” Burna Bandz clearly isn’t someone you want to mess around with if what he’s saying here has any truth to it. If you got money on your head you might know who’s coming to collect. 

“Tell ’em let my dawgs out the cage, Still scream free 47 and Baby K” Could only find Info about Baby K but he’s another aspiring artist coming out of Toronto I can only think he’s apart of the same group as Burna and they’ve been close for years with their only collab track ever is on his album Bandz can’t Fold (Part 2) released back in 2020 named Fendi!