Bas. Free your mind, everything will follow

With all of the hip hop shows hitting the city Tattoo Queen West has somewhat become our second home. Late last week an intimate crowd of an eclectic group of youngsters gathered at the venue for a Bas hip hop show.

Who’s Bas you ask? The man, real name Abbas Hamad, is from Jamaica, Queens, New York City proudly signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville and Interscope Records. Admittedly with a name like Bas this rapper does not Google well but his fan base is dedicated and crashing hard.

“Who here has Quarter Water Raised Me Vol II?” Bas asks,  everyone cheers in positive response. “Who heard Last Winter?” Everyone shouts even louder. They got it, they bop to it, they know the words.

After a solid opening performance by The 6th Letter who kicked off the party with some “Party and Bullshit” in smoke and pink-purple lights the room was quickly engulfed in all kinds of flavors. When Bas hit the stage he went straight into “Mook In New Mexico” after a brief and proud Queens introduction for all of the plus-ones because all of the ones were already geared up in FIENDS, Bas’ family brand (you may have seen the self-proclaimed ambassadors at Coachella).

Bas’ beats are melodic and hard hitting at the same time, the lyrics however are the best part. Main stream hip hop is loved for the beats before the lyrics (though some of the one liners have made history and dictionaries), Bas’ lyrics are thematic, the man is a storyteller and to think it all started with a mix tape, Quater Water Raised Vol. I.

It might be some time before another tour (let’s hope not), there is always Last Winter.