Baby Keem’s second studio album, Ca$ino, recently dropped.
by Marli Gingell
Editor-in-Chief
Released on February 20th, “Ca$ino”, by Baby Keem, is the perfect addition to follow up “The Melodic Blue” release in 2021. The album runs for 37 minutes through 11 total songs, and features artists Momo Boyd, Che Ecru, Too $hort, and Kendrick Lamar. The album combines elements of trap and vintage LA rap creating an introspective sound that accurately represents his autobiographical lyrics.
The first song on the track list is “Good Flirts;” it has a slow tempo, tri-perspective melody, and features Kendrick Lamar and Momo Boyd. Between the progressive beat and the multiple layering vocals, this song is a fan favorite. Keem describes relationship troubles, feelings of loneliness and struggles of vulnerability. The introspective tone and assertive verses give a strong insight to the male perspective of toxic, modern-day connections.
The highest rated song on the album is “I am not a Lyricist,” an emotional track diving into the artist’s past. His lyrics are layered and rarely rhyme, but they carry depth by being truthful. Keem writes, “This is for the foster children, for the runaways.” He dedicates this song to other aspiring children who have rough pasts, creating a strong sound that makes an impact on the album and speaks to a population of underprivileged individuals.
The next notable song on Ca$ino is the second part to Highway 95, a track on “The Melodic Blue.” “Highway 95 pt.2” is a bass heavy song that references the struggles Keem faced as a runaway. Many rappers embed their music with deep narratives that point towards their own personal sacrifices, issues and upbringing, and this song is a perfect example of how melodies and expression sync together.
“Dramatic Girl” is the tenth track on the album. Through echoing vocals and a progressive bedroom pop beat, the song explores the distressed emotions of a complicated relationship. With a feature from Che Ecru, the track still carries the traditional sound and melodies that skyrocketed Keem’s career on his freshman album. He uses lyrics such as, “There’s more than one way you should love me,” to prompt his “dramatic girl” to share a more complex and devoted bond, and to reveal beyond surface level.
This album is a great addition to Baby Keem’s discography. It’s short, sweet and discusses many difficult topics while creating a positive listening experience. Keem utilizes his childhood experiences and struggles to craft an undeniably raw and truthful album. Ca$ino perfectly uses elements from the vintage LA rap scene and Keem’s uniquely crafted sound, making it an influential album to start 2026.