Baby Keem isn’t in it for the hype. He’s in it to redefine it. The 18-year-old Las Vegas native has been making moves behind the scenes, writing and producing for some of hip-hop’s biggest names. But on his new single, “Honest,” Keem puts himself directly in the spotlight, serving your barebones, introspective cut that unravels the layers of his steadily molding artistry.
Set over a moody, synth-heavy beat, “Honest” ditches the high-energy flexes from DIE FOR MY BITCH for something more vulnerable. Keem’s delivery is rough around the edges but exacting, bobbing between nursery tunes and jagged-edge bars that touch on the complexities of fame, relationships, and self-acceptance. His voice cracks with emotion as he spits, making every word feel like a lived-in decision, an unfiltered journal entry dolled up in the 808s.
What makes Keem unique is that he refuses to be boxed in. His seamless shifts between melodic rap, alternative trap, and outright bangers make his sound challenging to predict. “Honest” is thus a reminder that, even though he has already established his lane, he is still on a journey of self-discovery.
With cosigns from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q, Baby Keem is no longer the industry’s best-kept secret. If DIE FOR MY BITCH was the warning shot, “Honest” is the proof Baby Keem is here, and he’s just getting started.