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.
Pinball II
Bas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine black man melanin gold
I hope you never get old
Keep your youthful spirit
I know the world do fear it
You're the tip of the spear
And with our dyin' breaths, I bet the world gon' hear it, look
Bassy keep on jumpin' through these brackets
I got 20 bitches coming back to the crib
I make sure my niggas got some racks, what you need?
They gon' shoot through niggas like it's practice
I just make the money, run some laps
Every time I pass go see the cash grow
We don't even act cordial, we assholes
Bitches in my lasso, is that so?
That's word to my last hoe, I'm that cold
Runnin' through the town a black soul
My past froze twenty-nine times over
Look I have seen more than my time
Lived 9 lives for about twenty cats over, I told ya
Everything you've done I done overdid, I'm over it
Nigga, Dreamville the whole coast how we shouldered it?
Them boys stale like toast when it's overdid
I hope they quit for real
But if they don't I got a million joints
I got the flow in pocket, the emoji rocket how I'm outta here
A lot of em' sound like they in a talent show
So I give 'em something to remember like the Alamo
Tally-ho! A high Joker like a Spades game
Keeping both eyes open wide rain man
Crew high on that fuck your life drank man
We slide in the bucket like paint
Never gave a fuck, fuck what you might think
Ran up in the club 'till they sent the lights in
Had to tell the owner please let the lights dim
Five more minutes see me a nice slim
Thick bitch with the you, me and my grin
Tell her bring the crew you me and my friends
See where the night end with the right guys
Trust me and my kin, speak with the right pen
Creep like the lightning in the night sky
Go deep Janet Jackson, we back to back in
Black SUV's, black tints would you look at that?
I'm booby-trapped in your fluid black skin
No groupie action, your bougie accent
You're truly classic, girl we outta here
Bas, it's Bassy
Queens nigga with the Fiends nigga
Got the bean waitin' in the pocket ooh
I asked P, what's poppin'?
He said we are nigga, trips to DR nigga
Got the borough jumpin' like it's J.R. Smith
Know a couple niggas' let the A-R spit
Got no interest what you say y'all did
Only where y'all live
Smokin' blunts 'cause that's the way I live
And where I live?
Niggas dyin' front of their shorty, wives
And their brother's ride on the other side
Every death is like a 100 lives
Flatlined from the black nine
I could feel the pressure multiplying
Make you feel like ain't no hope in trying
But we always trying
All this blood I bet it float to sea and wash out
'Cause they don't want you to see but watch out
Nigga watch out
See I want you to see
I've been through so many things
Things ain't always what they seem
Hope you get the message
I hope you figure it out (you figure it out)
Now I'm right where I belong
Had to let it go
All the pain I was holding on
Now I get the message
I had to figure it out
You got to feel the music, do you understand?
It takes you higher and higher
Bas's song Pinball II is a powerful depiction of the experiences of a black man living in America. The opening lines featuring the words 'shine black man melanin gold' can be interpreted as an exhortation for black people to embrace their identity and not let society's prejudices dull their inner light. Bas then goes on to express his fear that the world is afraid of black people's youthful spirit, which he compares to the tip of a spear. Despite this fear, he remains resolute that the black experience will not be silenced, promising that 'with our dyin' breaths, I bet the world gon' hear it.'
Throughout the song, Bas's words are crafted with precision and purpose, highlighting the strength and resilience of black people in the face of systemic racism and police brutality. The line 'Every death is like a 100 lives' is a poignant reminder of the way in which black lives cut short by violence are mourned by an entire community, creating a ripple effect of pain that reverberates through generations. Despite this, Bas remains hopeful that the music will provide a way to escape the confines of a system that seeks to limit and oppress black people.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope you figure it out
I want you to understand the deeper meaning of this song
Shine black man melanin gold
Embrace your blackness and all its beauty
I hope you never get old
May your youthful spirit never fade
Keep your youthful spirit
Stay young at heart and keep a positive outlook on life
I know the world do fear it
The power of your spirit and presence can intimidate others
You're the tip of the spear
You are at the forefront of change and progress
And with our dyin' breaths, I bet the world gon' hear it, look
Even after we're gone, our legacy and influence will continue to be felt
I been saving money for my taxes
I'm financially responsible and plan ahead for my financial obligations
Bassy keep on jumpin' through these brackets
I continue to improve my financial status and rise up through the tax brackets
I got 20 bitches coming back to the crib
I have many women who want to spend time with me
I make sure my niggas got some racks, what you need?
I take care of my friends and make sure they have what they need
They gon' shoot through niggas like it's practice
We are skilled and experienced in violence
I just make the money, run some laps
I work hard and consistently to earn my money
Every time I pass go see the cash grow
I am successful and my hard work is paying off
We don't even act cordial, we assholes
We are not friendly or polite, we are rude and obnoxious
Bitches in my lasso, is that so?
I have many women under my control, is that surprising?
That's word to my last hoe, I'm that cold
I am ruthless and cold-hearted, and I have the scars to prove it
Runnin' through the town a black soul
I am a wanderer and have a dark past
My past froze twenty-nine times over
My painful memories are like ice, and have frozen my heart many times
Look I have seen more than my time
I have experienced more than most people my age
Lived 9 lives for about twenty cats over, I told ya
I have narrowly escaped death many times
Everything you've done I done overdid, I'm over it
I have done it all and I am no longer interested
Nigga, Dreamville the whole coast how we shouldered it?
Dreamville is taking over and leading the way for the whole coast
Them boys stale like toast when it's overdid
Our competition is weak and outdated
I hope they quit for real
I hope our competition gives up and drops out
But if they don't I got a million joints
If our competition doesn't give up, we have plenty of other options and opportunities
I got the flow in pocket, the emoji rocket how I'm outta here
I have the skills and the means to achieve anything I want
A lot of em' sound like they in a talent show
Many other rappers sound like they're putting on a performance instead of speaking from the heart
So I give 'em something to remember like the Alamo
I make sure my music has a lasting impact and is unforgettable
Tally-ho! A high Joker like a Spades game
I am confident and strategic, like a card shark in a high-stakes game
Keeping both eyes open wide rain man
I am observant and aware, like an expert card counter
Crew high on that fuck your life drank man
My crew and I are reckless and don't care about the consequences
We slide in the bucket like paint
We move quickly and smoothly, like a paintbrush sliding across a canvas
Never gave a fuck, fuck what you might think
We don't care about your opinion or what you think of us
Ran up in the club 'till they sent the lights in
We party hard and don't stop until the lights come on
Had to tell the owner please let the lights dim
We want to keep partying even when the club is closing
Five more minutes see me a nice slim
We hope to meet some attractive women before the night is over
Thick bitch with the you, me and my grin
We want to have a good time with a curvy woman
Tell her bring the crew you me and my friends
We want to have a wild night with a group of people
See where the night end with the right guys
We believe that with the right people, anything is possible
Trust me and my kin, speak with the right pen
We are talented and will use our skill to achieve our goals
Creep like the lightning in the night sky
We move quickly and quietly, like a bolt of lightning in the darkness
Go deep Janet Jackson, we back to back in
We're having vigorous and passionate sex, like Janet Jackson in one of her music videos
Black SUV's, black tints would you look at that?
We're riding in sleek and intimidating vehicles that turn heads
I'm booby-trapped in your fluid black skin
I am entranced and captivated by your beautiful black skin
No groupie action, your bougie accent
You are not just a groupie, you have class and sophistication
You're truly classic, girl we outta here
You are timeless and unforgettable, and we're ready to leave and have some fun
Bas, it's Bassy
I am Bas, also known as Bassy
Queens nigga with the Fiends nigga
I am from Queens and I have connections with some dangerous people
Got the bean waitin' in the pocket ooh
I am carrying a gun and I am ready to use it
I asked P, what's poppin'?
I asked my friend P what's going on
He said we are nigga, trips to DR nigga
He said that we're doing well, and we're taking trips to the Dominican Republic
Got the borough jumpin' like it's J.R. Smith
We are causing a commotion and making things happen, like J.R. Smith on the basketball court
Know a couple niggas' let the A-R spit
I know some dangerous people who are not afraid to use their weapons
Got no interest what you say y'all did
I don't care about our competition and what they've accomplished
Only where y'all live
I only care about your physical location
Smokin' blunts 'cause that's the way I live
I smoke marijuana because it's a lifestyle choice
And where I live?
I am proud of where I come from
Niggas dyin' front of their shorty, wives
People are being killed in front of their loved ones
And their brother's ride on the other side
People often seek revenge and retaliate after a loved one is killed
Every death is like a 100 lives
Every time someone dies, it affects countless other people's lives
Flatlined from the black nine
Killed by a gunshot from a black gun
I could feel the pressure multiplying
I am under a lot of stress and it's becoming more intense
Make you feel like ain't no hope in trying
It can be discouraging and seem hopeless trying to succeed in this environment
But we always trying
But we never give up and keep pushing forward
All this blood I bet it float to sea and wash out
The violence and bloodshed will have long-lasting effects that will eventually fade away
'Cause they don't want you to see but watch out
The powers that be don't want us to know the truth, but we need to be aware and be careful
Nigga watch out
Be on guard and stay vigilant
See I want you to see
I want you to understand what's really going on
I've been through so many things
I have experienced a lot of hardship and struggle
Things ain't always what they seem
Things may appear one way, but there's often more going on under the surface
Hope you get the message
I hope you understand the truth behind my words
Now I'm right where I belong
I am finally in a place where I feel comfortable and happy
Had to let it go
I had to let go of the past and move on
All the pain I was holding on
I was holding onto my pain and it was weighing me down
Now I get the message
Now I understand the truth behind my struggles
I had to figure it out
I had to learn and grow from my experiences
You got to feel the music, do you understand?
You need to truly experience and connect with the music
It takes you higher and higher
The music can lift you up and bring you to a higher level of consciousness
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Abbas Hamad, Correy Christopher, Kevin Godley, Laurence Neil Creme, Cedric Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ZattisQ
Coleβs been killin it with his signees... Cozz, Bas, JID all are killing these tracks right now.
Black Code Boxing
Jacob Z Vatra donβt forget Lute
RodDiesel
Straight facts. #Dreamville π₯π₯π₯
Richard Martinez
Marquise Blxck yessss my dude juggin up the hole in the wall π― can't forget Earth gang omen and Ari Lennox either
finn johnston
Richard Martinez was about to say donβt forget about earthgang.
Richard Martinez
@finn johnston Ik lol they all have some type of unique musical value that you just can't ignore tbh
Sungano Katsumbe
This album is a certified classic already
FROAT
One of the best, his flow is the shitπ₯
plur2179
FROAT he gets crazy on this track
DNutty26
Facts