#The1999ishere'ARIZONA BABY' Kevin Abstract review & discussion

Kevin Abstract released his solo project 'ARIZONA BABY' on the 25th of April 2019, after dropping the EP 'Ghettobaby' which included the first six songs of the album.

Tracklist:

Big Wheels
Joyride
Georgia
Corpus Christi
Baby Boy
Mississippi
Use Me
Peach
American Problem
Crumble
Boyer

A selection of videos from the album:

BABY BOY

PEACH

Thoughts on the album:

'Corpus Christi' is shockingly honest and personal. While I personally know Kevin Abstract and BROCKHAMPTON as a collective to always discuss personal matters in their music, this was on another level. Most notably the mention of past member Ameer Vann. I was shocked to hear Kevin talk so openly while at the same time feeling a lot of admiration for his bravery.

I was immediately drawn to the song 'Georgia'. I'm not sure what I love about it but I had it on repeat when the EP came out. I suppose I find it quite atmospheric, I like songs that I can picture scenes to. Again it is Kevin talking about personal experiences and thoughts which means a lot more to me than if he was rapping about something more shallow like most mainstream media tends to focus on.

'Baby Boy' is one of my favourite songs of the album, I love Ryan Beatty's vocals and especially when Kevin raps "headlights pointed at the dawn, dawn."

'Peach' is another song that stands out for me. The song is a collaboration with Dominic Fike, and two members of BROCKHAMPTON; Joba and Bearface. It's such a calming and melodic song. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer. I'm grateful that this song introduced me to Dominic Fike as I like his latest album, particularly the popular song '3 Nights'.

My reaction to "The1999"

The day after the release of 'ARIZONA BABY' the 26th of April 2019, Kevin tweeted this picture.

From the BROCKHAMPTON account someone then tweeted the link to this livestream:

When I first saw the live stream I was really confused. Why was he doing this? Kevin had said many times before that he struggled with fame. Now he was surrounded by fans bombarding him for photos and autographs not treating him as a human.

FABRIC

"I can't sleep like I used to The world will try to tell you who you are before you get to Explain yourself, your thoughts Your motives and all of your reasons"

WEIGHT

"I really miss the old days before the cosigns I really miss them cold days before the road signs"

TONYA

"I deleted facebook, I'll trade fame any day for a quiet Texas place and a barbecue plate"

"I hated songs about fame 'cause that stuff meant nothin' Until them headlines came, then first flight I'm stuck in"

I messaged a friend trying to understand my thoughts and emotions while watching.

And tweeted:

It hit me. It was a statement. An art piece. No one there or commenting on the live stream seemed to understand. I got angrier and angrier. They cant have been true fans to be so selfish and ignorant to the message.

I was so relieved when I searched the hashtag on twitter and found fellow fans who shared my point of view and were debating the meaning behind #the1999.

Due to time zone differences I slept through much of the livestream but I checked on it as soon as I woke up, this is what I messaged my friend in the morning:

It has been a long time since I have been so dumb struck and awe inspired by a single person. BROCKHAMPTON have inspired me for around a year and a half now but this was something else. What an amazing feat of not only physical but mental endurance.

Obviously all of the reasoning behind why Kevin created #the1999 is purely speculation. I don't think Kevin will ever come out and say why he did this. Which seems right to me. At the end of the day this was undeniably an art piece and the meaning of art is often highly subjective. My thoughts are that Kevin did this for himself because he wanted to. Whether it was to prove that he could do it physically and mentally or just to make a statement like that in front of his childhood home where it all started, the good and the bad, I don't know. But I know that I don't want to know. I would rather it be left to personal interpretation.

I love you Kevin Abstract.

Kaitlyn.