Family Ties
by Baby Keem (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

Album: The Melodic Blue (2021)
Charted: 52 18
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first official collaboration between Baby Keem and his cousin, Kendrick Lamar, but the two have been working together for some years on other projects. Keem helped with the production of "Redemption Interlude" from the Lamar executive produced Black Panther: The Album. He also featured in the visual mission statement for his cousin's multimedia company, pgLang.
  • The song splits into two parts. Keem takes the first half, rapping about his superstar cousin opening doors for him.

    Keem then cedes the floor to Lamar, who flexes about his position at the top of the rap game, referring to himself as "the omega, pgLang, Rollie gang, SIE." The self-anointed GOAT references his relative silence during the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matters movement. K.Dot says he has no need to make trending comments addressing racial inequality and police brutality, as he is already a "prophet," having consistently rapped about inequality and political turmoil in his music.
  • Baby Keem co-produced the track with Cardo, Outtatown, Roselilah, Deats, Jasper Harris and Frankie Bash. There is a notable change in tempo between the two parts.
  • Former Top Dawg Entertainment co-president and regular Lamar collaborator Dave Free directed the video. R&B singer Normani features multiple times in the clip.
  • This won for Best Rap Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2022. Baby Keem was also up for Best New Artist, but lost to Olivia Rodrigo.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."