MEAWW's Basement Tapes: Blimes and Gab are 'badass aunties who secure the bag' with new record 'Talk About It'
Rap duo Blimes and Gab have recently released the visual for their song 'Shellys (It's Chill)' off their latest LP 'Talk About It' out now on all platforms, and it's a treat that demonstrates both the duo's musical as well as comedic abilities.
In what Grammy.com called "A statement debut," the dynamic duo Blimes and Gab have burst onto the scene with a gorgeous record titled 'Talk About It' that draws inspiration from an array of genres and sets this act up for a highly promising future. But don't let that fool you: Blimes and Gab are seasoned professionals who have been in the game for some time now, and this is but another notch in their already successful careers.
Acclaimed Seattle MC Gifted Gab and San Francisco-bred spitter Blimes are the dynamic duo that is Blimes and Gab, defined, as they like to tell it, as "your badass aunties who secure the bag." The critically acclaimed duo's breakout debut single 'Come Correct' reached more than 10 million views: a hell of a feat for a music video that was released on a wintry Friday night in 2018. HotNewHipHop stated at the time, 'Come Correct' is a lyrical fanfare of sorts that introduces us to yet another layer of the complex sphere of women in hip-hop." Over the past year, they have more than doubled their combined discography, each releasing a solo album and their latest collaborative efforts, 'Un Deux Trois', 'Magic' ft. Iamsu! and 'Feelin It', which was most recently featured on the latest season of Issa Rae's massive hit HBO show 'Insecure'. The witty duo has earned the respect of hip-hop OGs like Method Man and Atmosphere with their silky-smooth spitting and debonair rhymes. Incredibly strong as solo artists, they are enigmatic as a pair. Their initial collaboration sparked a need for more music, both from their fans and the MCs themselves.
Their success was first predicted by Pandora and Next Big Sound in their 2018 overview of the "new class of female rappers," alongside CupcakKe and Rico Nasty. Since then, they've received high praise from fans and critics alike, with Grammy.com further stating their album "encapsulates the mood of a West Coast summer and their warrior-like rise while rolling out head-boppin' beats that feature funky baselines and ear-catching instrumentals." Speaking about their own identity Blimes and Gab have this to say: they're your cool aunties who slipped you beers when you were 16 or took you to get your first tattoo. They want you to have fun, and they want to be there for it. For every boss woman in your life who never apologizes for the reverb of her footsteps; for every powerful female who dares to change the game – this is Blimes and Gab.
'Talk About It' goes from energetic tracks and dance numbers to gorgeously smooth and funky tunes to nostalgic verses that take it back to the women rappers of decades past. Variety thought their "feel-good" music was perfect for the summer, Billboard admired their "pure swagger" and "hot-and-heavy lyrics," UPROXX declared that "West Coast rap duo Blimes and Gab...presaged the oncoming wave of female rap talent," and Revolt TV shared that the "sound Blimes and Gab created...put them in the high ranks of women rappers to watch for years to come." Ultimately, Blimes and Gab are a multi-genre act, but they are rappers at their core and gifted songwriters who are fully in control of their craft. Their eclectic record, executive produced by Adrian Miller, includes co-signs by the likes of Method Man, Iamsu!, Bahamadia, and Jay Park, and features previously released standout singles including 'Shellys (It's Chill)'. On the release of their debut album, Blimes and Gab share, "We've always lived by the code if you're gonna talk about then you better be about it, so it was only right we put that on record for our debut album."
'Shellys (It's Chill)', available now on all digital streaming platforms via The Orchard, now comes with a cinematic DJ Turner-directed visual featuring cameo appearances by fellow MC and 'Mozart' collaborator Qveen Herby, blogger Lee Tilghman, actress and comedian Risdon Roberts, actor Adarius Smith, and radio personalities The Baka Boyz. An easy standout off the album, this track is gorgeously smooth and comes with an extremely relatable theme of that one girl at the club we all know. But rather than simply 'talking about it', the video sees the two MCs joke around but ultimately have Shelly's back. Check out the stunning video below.
Stream 'Talk About It' HERE. Follow Blimes and Gab on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, and YouTube.
'MEAWW's Basement Tapes' is a column that shines a spotlight on undiscovered/underrated musical gems.