Keem has both songwriting and production credits on his cousin Kendrick Lamar's project, Black Panther: The Album, TDE member Jay Rock's Redemption, Schoolboy Q's Crash Talk, and the song "Nile" from Disney's The Lion King: The Gift. Keem worked with record producer Cardo, on his two mixtapes, The Sound of a Bad Habit (2018) and Die for My Bitch (2019).
In March 2020, Keem was featured in the visual mission statement for Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free's company, pgLang. In August 2020, it was revealed Baby Keem was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.
On September 18, 2020, Keem returned with the release of two new songs, "Hooligan", and "Sons & Critics Freestyle". He then released "No Sense", on March 5, 2021. On April 30, Keem released "Durag Activity" with Travis Scott. The song was followed by another collaboration with Keem’s cousin Kendrick Lamar, titled "Family Ties", which was released on August 27, 2021. These songs are featured on Keem's debut studio album The Melodic Blue, which was released on September 10, 2021. The album also included the single "Issues", which Keem performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a collaboration with Don Toliver titled "Cocoa", as well as previously-teased tracks "Vent" and "Range Brothers". Keem also made an appearance on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda, on the song "Praise God", alongside Travis Scott.
Prior to beginning his rapping career, Hykeem Carter spent his early life (as early as 4 years old) in music studios watching his Aunts & Uncles "Burn" CD's using the famous platform Limewire, which was the most common source of free music listening back in the early 2000's. Just a few years later, he shared his memories of hearing Kanye West's album "808s & Heartbreak" on the radio while living in Las Vegas during the Winter of 2008. This sparked his interest for music even more, which spurred his music research the following year. Keem looked up to artists such as Ye, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Eminem, 50 Cent & more. [5]
Keem became a small, yet prominent YouTuber who was involved in the Minecraft Survival Games mini-game scene during the early 2010's. Keem's Minecraft account was under the in game name "hykeemc" and his YouTube account went by the alias "AllMightyModz". Keem was known for being a highly skilled player on The Hive and MCGamer Network servers, amassing more than 1,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel because of his prowess. Keem would frequently hold Skype calls where his fans could play along with him.Today, Keem's channel is inactive, however, the links on his channel direct you to Keem's current SoundCloud account.
It wasn't until 2014 that Hykeem decided to start pursuing his own musical career.
In a 2019 interview, Keem cited American musician Kid Cudi, as a major influence: "I was inspired by Cudi's cadences and shit like that. Kid Cudi's one of my favorite artists."[22]
In a 2021 interview with Billboard, Keem reportedly identified as part of the Mike WiLL Made-It and Metro Boomin generation, saying he derives inspiration from the two producers, as well as from Kanye West
NOT MY BRO
Baby Keem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she wasting time on a nigga that ain't shit (uh)
Hit it from the back (uh) I never left (uh)
ice cream boogers on my wrist thats a fat (aye)
fuck him up he was checking on my bitch
I was having fun til my checking took a hit (aye)
two phone Baby Keem i might take a nigga shit (aye) bitch I'm on the run i smash the gas then i split
You niggas rock the boat you niggas love to cap
I might take a lost then I make it back
if i take a lost Imma make it back (yea)
Shots at your kick back (uh)
bitch get back I said bro get back (uh yea)
you don't want no smoke you don't want no crack (aye) get back (huh),
get back
I said bro get back
fuck did you think,
punk fade you talking to me
i'm with the flee and we role deep
we not the same the squad is unique (aye)
don't trust the sorry hoe my momma told me that
ice cream wrist pistachio big water hold the tap (yea) focus straight to the whip i floor it
bust down a fit I wore it
texting your bitch ignore it
dick print hope I'm her MCM she dig the source
Cartier frames, this is my bitch phase I see that the vibes distorted
hop in the photo
I am the sensei
hop in the range
I am the sensei
big protein take it to my brain
I am the sensei
how much you make you watching my pockets we not the same
I am the sensei
kick that bitch if she switch up on the gang (woah) Shots at your kickback
bitch get back
I said bro get back (uh yea)
you don't want no smoke you don't want no crack (aye) get back, get back (huh) I said bro get back
The lyrics to Baby Keem's song "NOT MY BRO" are a mixture of boastful statements about his wealth and power, while also detailing the ways in which he distances himself from others who don't measure up to his standards. In the chorus, Baby Keem states that "You niggas not my bro, you niggas not my homeboy" indicating that he doesn't trust or associate with those who aren't on his level. He then goes on to talk about his sexual exploits, driving recklessly, and flaunting his wealth with expensive jewelry. The line "don't trust the sorry hoe, my momma told me that" suggests that Baby Keem has a complicated relationship with women, possibly resulting from past experiences that have shaped his distrust.
The rest of the lyrics circle around themes of power, dominance, and exclusivity. Baby Keem is not afraid to assert his status as a leader, rapping about being the "sensei" and charging his mind with "big protein." He also warns others to back off, claiming that they "don't want no smoke" or "crack." The line "focusing straight to the whip, I floor it" could be interpreted as a metaphor for Baby Keem's approach to life - driving forward at full speed with reckless abandon. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a young man in control of his life and environment, unyielding and focused on his goals, but also deeply suspicious of those who do not meet his standards.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoes in the whip ten toes on the ship
Women are accompanying me while I drive with a full load.
she wasting time on a nigga that ain't shit (uh)
A woman is investing her time in a man who is not worthy of her.
Hit it from the back (uh) I never left (uh)
I engaged in sexual intercourse with her from behind and did not stop until I was finished.
ice cream boogers on my wrist thats a fat (aye)
I have diamonds on my wrist that glisten like melting ice cream.
fuck him up he was checking on my bitch
I physically confronted a man who was showing interest in my partner.
I was having fun til my checking took a hit (aye)
I was enjoying myself until my finances suffered a setback.
two phone Baby Keem i might take a nigga shit (aye) bitch I'm on the run i smash the gas then i split
I carry two phones and have the tendency to steal from others. I am currently evading authorities, and I drive away quickly.
You niggas not my bro you niggas not my homeboy
I do not consider you to be my close friend or associate.
You niggas rock the boat you niggas love to cap
You cause trouble and enjoy lying.
I might take a lost then I make it back
if i take a lost Imma make it back (yea)
If I experience a setback, I will recover from it.
Shots at your kick back (uh)
bitch get back I said bro get back (uh yea)
I will shoot at your party gathering. Both women and men should move away.
you don't want no smoke you don't want no crack (aye) get back (huh), get back
You do not want any trouble, so step away.
I said bro get back
fuck did you think,
punk fade you talking to me
i'm with the flee and we role deep
we not the same the squad is unique (aye)
I am warning you to retreat. I am surrounded by a loyal group of friends who are willing to fight. We are not like others in society; we are different.
don't trust the sorry hoe my momma told me that
ice cream wrist pistachio big water hold the tap (yea)
My mother warned me not to trust any unfaithful women. I wear an expensive watch with green diamonds and drink high-quality water.
focus straight to the whip i floor it
bust down a fit I wore it
texting your bitch ignore it
dick print hope I'm her MCM she dig the source
I concentrate on driving my car and step on the accelerator. I purchased an expensive outfit and did not respond to a message from your girlfriend. I hope that my prominent genitalia makes her like me enough to make me her Man Crush Monday.
Cartier frames, this is my bitch phase I see that the vibes distorted
hop in the photo
I am the sensei
hop in the range
I am the sensei
big protein take it to my brain
I am the sensei
how much you make you watching my pockets we not the same
I am the sensei
I wear Cartier glasses and am enjoying being surrounded by many women. I am aware that the environment is not authentic. I pose for a picture with others as the leader. I ride in a luxury vehicle and proclaim myself as the leader. I consume large amounts of protein to improve my cognitive abilities. I do not want to discuss my finances with you because we have different lifestyles. I am the leader and teacher in this situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hykeem Carter, Dylan Krell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind