Bas was born in Paris, France, in 1987, to Sudanese parents. At the age of 8, his family moved to New York City. He attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York.
In 2011, Bas released his debut mixtape titled Quarter Water Raised Vol. 1. In 2013, his second mixtape was released entitled, Quarter Water Raised Vol. 2.
In 2013, Bas was featured on J. Cole's "New York Times" along with 50 Cent from Cole's album Born Sinner, and then on DJ Khaled's "Hells Kitchen" from Suffering from Success. He then appeared on the Dreamville compilation mixtape Revenge of the Dreamers. That mixtape was released in celebration of Dreamville's partnership with Interscope Records, resulting in Bas being signed to Interscope. Two weeks prior to the release of his debut album Last Winter, Bas released a free EP titled Two Weeks Notice.
Last Winter was released on April 29, 2014, by Dreamville Records/Interscope Records. The album was a conceptual project that touches on the cold days in New York City recording the album. The album was supported by the single "My Nigga Just Made Bail" produced by GP808 and featured guest appearances by J. Cole. Last Winter would debut at 103 on the Billboard 200 with 3,601 copies sold in its first week.
Following its release, Bas went on a 10-city nationwide tour titled after the album. Bas followed his own "Last Winter" tour by going on a 24-city nationwide and international tour with TDE rapper Ab-Soul. In 2015, Bas supported J. Cole on the '2014 Forest Hills Drive' Tour alongside Omen, Cozz, Jeremih, YG, and Big Sean.
Bas released his second album, Too High to Riot on March 4, 2016. The album also includes guest appearances from his labelmates J. Cole and Cozz, as well as the Hics. The album would debut at 49 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 10,965 copies in its first week. He also later released a music video for each song on the album. Bas went on tour after the album in June 2016 with Cozz and EarthGang. It included 26 cities in North America and 10 cities in Europe. On January 29, 2017, the documentary highlighting the tour was released on Tidal.
On April 10, 2018, Bas released the one-off single "Pinball II", featuring Correy C. The first single for his third album "Boca Raton" was released on June 19, and featured ASAP Ferg. On August 22, he released the second single "Tribe" featuring J. Cole. Bas released his third album, Milky Way on August 24, 2018. The album debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200, selling 13,150 album-equivalent units in the first week. Bas announced a 43-city tour to support the album, which began in November 2018 and concluded in February 2019. In late 2018, Bas announced he was working on an album with frequent collaborators, The Hics, the album is due out in late 2021 to early 2022.
Matches
Bas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lets have a drink with the girls from the videos
If I wasn't preoccupied, self absorbed, you self alone
I left you with, I got the world
Still felt alone and ever since been lost in the stars
Missing on what Heaven sent godly
I'm faulty, I'm fraud maybe
But fuck that bitch like the law baby
Girl I'm just playing but I'm off though
We should grab a drink before we link up at the cross road
Pick it all apart, don't be tickling my heart you'd say
I was with you from the start you'd say
I really thought you did it for the art you'd say
I guess the lights that been shining a lot brighter
Lets have a drink with the girls from the video
I must have been through this once in my past life
I see the pit falls, dodging the difficult
Rolling down a slippery slope, stay on point I tippy toe it
Won't you smile it gives me hope
Pray that you forgive me for it
Rolling down a slippery slope, stay on point I tippy toe it
Won't you smile it gives me hope
Pray that you forgive me for it
You understand?
Can't remember last night a nigga under Xans
My haters I lost sight can't see 'em under Bans
My niggas yell, "lets ride" they see I got a plan
Me I understand, I just understand it
I pray to God when I see how far we've come
Tears of joy I think we could drown the sun
And let that marijuana twist up
Put me right up in the lineup never been sub
I'm next up never mind when we get snubbed
They getting Michael Jordan, Harold Miner mixed up
We gone show 'em that Dreamville this year
We gone show 'em that when the people come together ain't no holding back
And that's the only fact
I been holding back tears for these young black souls lost in the past year
Some by the law, they ain't even flash steel
Some by they own dogs, most by their own fears
And you can watch it all young nigga stand still
Niggas yelling 100, they ain't half real
Fuck a line in the sand, I put a line on the dot and leave you right where you stand
And I'm just trying to understand
Rolling down a slippery slope, stay on point I tippy toe it
Won't you smile it gives me hope
Pray that you forgive me for it
Rolling down a slippery slope, stay on point I tippy toe it
Won't you smile it gives me hope
Pray that you forgive me for it
Been there before, lust in my eye
Times in the past
Drowning my sorrows, my fears for you
Louder, in my head getting louder
I'm holding on tight darling
The roots to places I found
I'm closing my eyes closed
I'm back with you in my mind
In the first verse, Bas reflects on how he has been preoccupied with himself and hasn't been able to fully appreciate the world around him. He acknowledges that he may not always have been the best person, even to those closest to him. However, he wants to reconnect with someone from his past and let go of his self-absorption. Bas is drawn towards the bright lights and glamour of the music industry but ultimately realizes that it's not what truly matters in life. He wants to connect with real people, like the girls from the videos, and not be consumed by the superficiality of the industry.
In the second verse, Bas reflects on his life and how far he has come. He acknowledges the struggles that he and his friends have gone through to get where they are today. He also acknowledges the losses they have experienced along the way, including the loss of young black lives. Bas is emotional and holds back tears as he thinks about the pain and tragedy that surrounds him. However, he also has hope for the future and wants to make a difference in the world. He is determined to work hard and achieve his dreams while also making a positive impact on the world around him.
Overall, Matches is a reflective and introspective song that explores the highs and lows of life. Bas is honest and vulnerable in his lyrics, touching on themes of self-reflection, loss, and hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess the lights that been shining a lot brighter
The fame and attention have intensified, let's hang out with the girls from the music videos.
If I wasn't preoccupied, self absorbed, you self alone
If I wasn't so focused on myself, I would've been there for you more
I left you with, I got the world
I thought giving you success would be enough to make up for my absence.
Still felt alone and ever since been lost in the stars
Despite my achievements, I still feel empty and disconnected from reality.
Missing on what Heaven sent godly
I failed to recognize the good things in my life, as though they were nothing less than a blessing from God.
I'm faulty, I'm fraud maybe
I'm flawed and maybe even a fraud for not giving you the attention you deserved.
Probably was the reason why your dog hates me
Maybe it's why your pet doesn't like me.
But fuck that bitch like the law baby
I'm just joking, but let's leave that behind us and hang out.
Girl I'm just playing but I'm off though
I'm trying to make light of what I did wrong, but I know I messed up.
We should grab a drink before we link up at the crossroad
Let's get a drink before we make any major decisions together.
Pick it all apart, don't be tickling my heart you'd say
Be honest and don't pretend like everything is okay.
I was with you from the start you'd say
I've been with you from the beginning, despite my absenteeism.
I really thought you did it for the art you'd say
I thought you were in this music business for the art of it, not just the fame.
I must have been through this once in my past life
This feeling of loss and confusion is too familiar, as if I've experienced it before.
I see the pit falls, dodging the difficult
I recognize the obstacles and difficult moments, and I'm trying to overcome them.
Rolling down a slippery slope, stay on point I tippy toe it
I'm taking extra caution to avoid making any mistakes.
Won't you smile it gives me hope
Your smile brings me hope for a better future.
Pray that you forgive me for it
I'm asking for your forgiveness for the pain I've caused.
You understand?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Can't remember last night a nigga under Xans
I can't remember what happened last night because I was under the influence of Xanax.
My haters I lost sight can't see 'em under Bans
I can't see my haters anymore because I'm wearing luxury sunglasses (Bans).
My niggas yell, "lets ride" they see I got a plan
My friends are encouraging and believe in my plan.
Me I understand, I just understand it
I understand what needs to be done to succeed.
I pray to God when I see how far we've come
I express gratitude for our progress and pray for continued success.
Tears of joy I think we could drown the sun
I'm so happy and proud that we could shed enough tears to flood the world.
And let that marijuana twist up
Let's smoke some weed and relax.
Put me right up in the lineup never been sub
I deserve to be at the top of the chain, not just a substitute.
We gone show 'em that Dreamville this year
We're going to demonstrate the power of Dreamville this year.
We gone show 'em that when the people come together ain't no holding back
We'll demonstrate that nothing can stop us when we work together.
And that's the only fact
This is the only truth.
I been holding back tears for these young black souls lost in the past year
I've been suppressing tears for the many young Black people we've lost in the last year.
Some by the law, they ain't even flash steel
Some people have been taken by the authorities without even committing a crime.
Some by they own dogs, most by their own fears
Many Black people have been killed by their own peers and primarily due to fear.
And you can watch it all young nigga stand still
You can see all the senseless violence, but it feels like you're powerless.
Niggas yelling 100, they ain't half real
People say they're 100% real, but they're not even half sincere.
Fuck a line in the sand, I put a line on the dot and leave you right where you stand
I don't believe in drawing arbitrary lines for loyalty, I believe in standing up for what's right and leaving people behind who don't agree.
And I'm just trying to understand
I'm just trying to comprehend what's going on.
Been there before, lust in my eye
I've been in a similar situation before, blinded by desire.
Times in the past drowning my sorrows, my fears for you
I've drowned my sorrows and fears in the past, all for you.
Louder, in my head getting louder
These emotions are only getting stronger.
I'm holding on tight darling
I'm doing everything I can to hold onto you.
The roots to places I found
The memories of where we've been together are still strong.
I'm closing my eyes closed, I'm back with you in my mind
I'm closing my eyes, and in my mind, I'm back with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ABBAS HAMAD, KALEB ROLLINS, RON GILMORE, ROXANE DAYETTE, SAM EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nikipooable
I will never understand why Bas is this underrated
@chadjohnson8267
At least he isn't overrated
@kylecharles9879
+Chad Johnson probably couldn't possibly be overrated. if he got the shine that Drake does it would be well deserved. but that's not how the industry works unfortunately
@Mossabmackaveli101
+Kyle Charles true
@stephynoel3466
+Chad Johnson exactly lmao
@Veeskizo
Because he is signed to one of the best rappers of the game. People don't listen to signees music unless it features the more famous person. Like people don't pay attention to PND because he is signed to drake.
@TheQuick3PS
This album is PERFECT for just driving around, day or night.
@alexing9858
Skizzy Mars
@privateinfo6080
+Alex Ing 🔥🔥🔥Too
@theartmastermeeks7073
I swear 🙄😌