If you’ve watched any deafening hip-hop mosh pit videos that consists of about 12 pixels, you’ll have probably heard the intense, infectious bassline of Sheck Wes’ Mo Bamba. It has taken the hip-hop community by storm and has put Sheck Wes on the map (even getting a namecheck by none other than Drake on his verse on Travis Scott’s SICKO MODE).
Mr. Sheck Wes, a Harlem child raised by Islamic Senegalese parents, is an incredibly high-rising star. Alongside his music, he models, dabbles in fashion design and has very, very serious ambitions of playing in the NBA.
That would explain the title of the song, an ode to fellow Harlemite and Orlando Magic centre, Mo Bamba. Clearly a big fan of the National Basketball Association, Mo and Sheck grew up in the same neighbourhood. It appears as though Sheck Wes wants to bring his friends with him on his rise to fame (it may have worked too well; when googling Mo Bamba, it is the song rather than the exceptionally large basketball player that gets the honour of first result).
The lyrics feel almost out of sync with the instrumental at times, but is instantly recognisable thanks to the staggered, aggressively delivered vocals and is yet further proof that hip-hop is the new rock and roll. Where once American teens would head banged to Nirvana coming out of their Walkmans, now moshing to Sheck Wes and his colleagues is the norm. This was one of my favourite songs released last year and I can’t help but bust a cheeky Milly Rock whenever I hear the producer’s, 16yrold, co-sign and the instrumental that is eerily reminiscent of a nursery rhyme.
Spotify Playlist Link: https://spoti.fi/2CKuVex
A Song A Day 