Mixtape Review : (@balenciagabanks) Balenciaga Banks Presents: Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
Overall, the mixtape definitely got an A from me. Overall it definitely had some jewels that will be in my playlist starting with
"You Mad Bro", "White Lies","Programmer", and "Morals".
Now I feel like I need to take a listen to the earlier projects because the flow is polished, with strong delivery, and unique song topics.
01. Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams - The intro starts off with a beautiful sample taken from Barry
Manilow's "I write the Songs" This sample brings out an elegant, and finer things feeling to the track.
" I've been alive forever,
and I wrote the very first song.
I put the words and the melodies together,
I am music,
and I write the songs."
This is one of those tracks you feel that you can lay back and just vibe too, my only issue with it was
that it was only about 2 minutes and 8 seconds long. I felt like this could have been one of the best
songs on the whole project. Either way still managed to be a fave of mine.
02. We know - The Morecheeba track "Even Though" is used here chopped up into a hard hitting sample,
used primarily for the hook, Banks sounds at the top of his game here, the track is energy packed, the
snare snapping and the sample chopped down into the verse portion and Banks delivers with an unrelenting
flow. He stays on top of the track and stays in control over the track
03. "You Mad Bro" This was one of the best songs in my opinion, on the entire project. You Mad Bro is
the biggest taunt on the web right now. I dig this track because this is what we say to haters that
can't take the success. The flyest line on the song goes, "and if you feeling different, I don't mind
cause you don't matter. The hook is infectious, "why you mad bro", that and the memorable line that got
one battle artist sucker punched, "oh you mad cause I'm styling on you?" Not sure if he was going for
commercial appeal here, either way this is a great track period.
04. White Lies x Handy - You have to listen closely and sometimes on repeat on this track..The artist
keeps you hooked in to the song by flowing over a mid tempo beat. This track was one of my favorites
because it's a thinker song. This is about the white lies we REPEATEDLY tell ourselves and others no
matter what to save feelings and lives. Love the way this track was beautifully put together. Handy adds
the soulful vibe to this one vocally.
05. Walk Alone - Walk Alone is a little more uptempo, Banks lets the listeners know how important it is
to a. be yourself, b. stand on your own two, c. be careful who you keep in your circle. This track made
it onto my personal playlist for motivational purposes. Banks manages to stay away from the corny sound
that at least 90% of the indie musicians I've heard fall in to.
06. Programmer- This track is one for the hustlers.. and hard workers. The hook is catchy "Risk Taking
Only Got Me Paid,Risk Taking Only Got Me Paid" blended with verses that go over an indian style synth
over a bass heavy with words that hit close to home. "What upsets me they upset with me, they didn't
keep in touch cause I was chasing dreams.." Definitely got the head nod.
07. "Young Til I Die" - Banks murders this bass heavy anthem styled track. The opening verse sets the
stage for the rest of the song, "I'm tired of Being Humble,fuck a nigga, fuck his momma , fuck your
uncle". "Bitch Imma Be Young Til I die, Young Til I die", another one for the go getters.. some people
create music for the trap/dope boys but this is for the hustlers and hard workers overall. Banks really
has some jewels on this project.
08. Bring It ft. Breezy Bree - wasn't really my cup of tea, didn't say anything to really catch my
attention, the hook however was nice, "cheated on my fears, broke up with my doubts, got engaged to my
fate, so my dreams would work it out". Couldn't get into this track.
09. Cash Cow- Ft Breezy Bree the production on this particular track was a little stiff, Balenciaga
still managed to shine on this track using clever wordplay and his on point delivery. The other artist
Breezy Bree didn't fit here, his flow was a little less fluid, this wasn't a fave.
10. #2 The Shit- ft Breezy Bree This track was a little mediocre, it goes in the direction of "pimp
talk" braggadacio. The track could have done without the other artist, "Breezy Bree", wanted to hear
more from Banks on this track.
11. Morals- Has traces of "Pink Matter"by Frank Ocean blended into the mix which made this track stick
out to me. Banks has a way of switching up his flow, which shows his vocal agility, and versatility.
For a bonus track, this fit right in.
About The Artist Bio: DaMar Marcus-Lee Fairbanks also known by rapper name Balenciaga Banks is an American Recording Artist and Fashion Designer for Perry Ellis International. Balenciaga Banks holds two associates of arts degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. Known for his work ethic the full-time fashion designer and musician has released 8 mixtapes. Balenciaga Banks is a rare American talent that is building a legacy in the entertainment and fashion Industries at the same time. MUSIC: Balenciaga Banks is not your typical rap/hip-hop scenester. Whether he’s designing clothing in his signature street-cum-country-club style or reminding the listener of early De La Soul, his music aims to fuse the gap between the underground rap scene and mainstream music. Sure, there’s the usual club fare, but there’s also a grungy underground element to his music, from the production to the lyrics is what sets Balenciaga Banks apart from the contemporary offerings in the hip-hop genre. There’s the inherent emotion throughout the work of the Cincinnati, Ohio rhymer, an emotion that draws the listener in, makes you believe every word. His choice of production is at once elegant rough and real, which helps Balenciaga Banks connect with the listener in a new and interesting way.
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