Sahbabii - Saaheem (Album)
“Do It For Demon”, Sahbabii’s last project in 2021, was a dark departure from Sah’s usual up beat energy. The project seemed to be birthed from the passing of Sah’s close friend, and as a result the album seemed like a collection of photos in a darkroom of Sah’s creation that, when fans dared to peek into, washed over the mind’s eye with waves of blood red, the black and white photos lost in the turmoil of grief. It’s for that same exact reason why “Saheem” is such an exciting album for both veteran Sahbabii fans and for those who are familiarizing themself with “King Squid” for the first time. “Saheem” is bursting at the seams with energy and color.
The opening track, “Viking”, leaked some 24 hours before the tape dropped and I listened, walking away knowing Sah was locked in for this tape. The dark synths overlaid with chopped vocals create this high octane production similar to that of the moments before a Nascar race begins; high horsepower engines roaring like hungry lions chomping at the bit to tear into the flesh of the Savannah. Sahbabii’s guttural, chimera-like ad libs on the hook further set the stage for an artist that is coming back to reclaim his spot as the King of The Jungle. Sah’s hunger is palpable in his delivery on “Viking”. This type of urgent, venomous delivery was something that was rare for Sah before this tape, but is something that is now defining for the Atlanta native on his 2024 effort. Tracks like “Kodak” and “Sylvan Rd Ridin Down Dill” reflect the outcome of Sah’s new laser focused sound. “Stay Away From Trouble” is also some of Sah’s best rapping to date, where he raps on a beat that sounds akin to a video game OST. The melody on this beat could replace the entire The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild soundtrack and I doubt even Link would notice. (I wouldn't be surprised if it’s sampled).
Tracks like “All The Way” and “Roll Wit Me”, which has upbeat, rich piano chords reminiscent of Sahbabii’s “Only Knew 1 Way” (a triumphant track from his debut album “S.A.N.D.A.S.”) shows Sahbabii still knows how to make fun tracks perfect for a sunny day.
“Blow a n**ga ass up, bubble”. (Sahbabii, Stay Away From Trouble)
“My hoe bad I think she got a disorder/My hoe bad, I told her stand in the corner” (Sahbabii, On Film)
“I got balls between her legs, behind her back, b**ch I’m in the NBA” (Sahbabii, Waikiki)
There are plenty more lines like this throughout “Saheem”. It’s funny lines like these which puts Sahbabii in a league of his own. These ridiculous punchlines just make the album that much more enjoyable to listen to. One of my personal favorites is : “My boy down the road cut a n**ga neck/ Swear he could take down a titan”. Sahbabii’s anime bars like this one serve as fun little easter eggs if you understand the reference (Shoutout Levi).
Please listen to this album. King Squid is back with the same whimsy which enamored the American People to him back in 2016 when he likened himself to a diverse group of mammals who have pouches, natively found in Australasia, Wallacea, and the Americas.