BIA SHOWCASES HER VERSABILITY ON NEW ALBUM ‘ REALLY HER’

BIA is thriving in the hip-hop scene as it stands right now, where women are predominating. She has established her own niche and is currently very successful. Before signing to Pharrell’s label, Medford, Massachusetts native BIA began her career on the reality TV program Sisterhood of Hip Hop. Her first prominent songwriting appearance was for the 2016 hit single “Safari” with her label boss and J Balvin. Since then, BIA has become more well-known through working with both her contemporary and historical figures.

She collaborated with Russ on the platinum-selling song “Best on Earth” and found mainstream success with the remix of “Whole Lotta Money” with Nicki Minaj. With her most recent EP, Really Her, BIA is leveraging her momentum as she advances farther in her career. Furthermore, in recent years, BIA has developed her sound. Her most popular tracks combine a straightforward 808 pattern with her trademark relaxed flow. Really With the use of a distinctive delivery across a variety of beats and tempos, Her sees BIA demonstrating her flexibility in a new way.

Beginning the album strong with “Big Business,” BIA raps about stepping up in her career over some bass-heavy sound. The project improves after setting the tone. On “Millions,” BIA is tough but composed, while on “Don’t Tell,” she is fun. These songs are inside her musical comfort zone, although on “Four Seasons,” she sticks to more conventional sounds. She uses a plain delivery and raps over a straightforward loop in that tune.

BIA shows off her poetic prowess in what is arguably her strongest performance on the EP, delivering smart lines like, “Athletes in my DM, wish they baby mama see ’em / That’s the type of money I pay in per diem.” Compared to other tracks, “Four Seasons” has a more assertive vocal from BIA. She has a variety that includes bangers suitable for the club and proficient tracks without hooks.

However, in Really Her, BIA makes a clumsy attempt at a dancehall record with “Oh No.” Her voice and flow support a variety of tempos. Unfortunately, despite how fantastic she has sounded over comparable beats in the past, her flow simply does not work with that tempo.

Although the effort is praiseworthy, it ultimately fails. There’s also “I’m That B*tch,” a song that daringly subverts Missy Elliott’s “She’s a B*tch.” Timbaland assists BIA in giving the ’90s classic a drill twist while hovering above the production. Although she may sound excellent, the song does not properly utilize the sample. Nevertheless, the tribute to Missy Elliott’s song, supported by the song’s original producer, is admirable.

On 2020’s For Certain, BIA discovered her voice, which she has since developed on her most recent albums and guest appearances. Although her rapping is straightforward, she proves in “London” alongside J. Cole that she can compete with the best. The previously-released single features BIA at her best and is unquestionably the best song on the EP. She uses her distinctive flow to deliver challenging bars while still having fun with the ad-libs. The ominous but not overpowering knocking instrumental enables BIA to increase her game. She flexes, using references to London, “Chrome Hearts socks in sandals / Mans outside in Crocs in shambles.”

J. Cole’s jaw-dropping verse, which dazzles with smart punchlines and great rhyme schemes, is what really inspires her to bring her best bars to the song. He stays true to the idea, creating clever bars using British terminology. In his rap, he says, “Yummy, they got no more bread, they’re crummy.” Additionally, Cole effortlessly switches to a British accent while subtly changing words to make double entendres. Although J. Cole dominates the spotlight, the song is well-balanced because of how much his sound differs from BIA’s. “London” is an excellent illustration of how BIA improved her abilities on Really Her.

Some of BIA’s most riveting content to date is Really Her. When compared to her earlier efforts, her most recent EP is a move in the right way. Although the tracks in this collection may not be the most creative, the tracklist is interesting and she excels over the beats. The rapping on songs like “Millions,” “For Seasons,” and “London” is some of BIA’s best to date.

Really Her is a commendable effort from one of the most promising performers to emerge from Massachusetts as a whole. The EP’s brief duration, with the majority of the songs barely going over two minutes, increases replay value. BIA tries various styles before settling on one. As she prepares her official debut album, she excite audiences by showcasing her diversity and honing her skills.