When I first checked out Buddy and his music last year, I didn't have a great first impression on his debut project Idle Time. There was like one or two great songs on there, but the rest of the mixtape was just forgettable grade A mid! The 24 year old Compton rapper/singer (real name Simmie Sims) was discovered by the legendary Pharrell when he was 18, starting to work with him on new music. 2014 was the release of Idle Time, and I didn't like it. The two EPs he released last year, on the other hand... yup, this was it.
For now, let's focus on the first of those two, Ocean & Montana. We'll get onto Magnolia another time. Buddy linked up with Haitian-Canadian producer KAYTRANADA for this project, consisting of 5 tracks. Now I rate Kay heavily. His funky electronic sound has made hip-hop and R&B shift so much further, providing some dope production on upbeat Summer jams like GoldLink's "Meditation", The Internet's "Girl", Mick Jenkins' "Your Love" and Anderson .Paak's "Lite Weight". His 2016 debut album 99.9% was such a solid effort, featuring contributions from notable names such as Syd, Craig David, Phonte, Karriem Riggins and Vic Mensa. Now with this project? More fire production to add to his resumé. The whole project just screams SUMMER so much, you would've wished it was longer than just simply 5 tracks. Damn, at least somewhere between 6 and 10.
Ocean & Montana is just a 17-minute crash course, which is creative as hell and showcases some great chemistry between Buddy and the Haitian-Canadian electronic/hip-hop producer. You would've thought Kay was carrying this project heavy, but Buddy comes through with some wavey flows, catchy hook and some dope verses. Their sounds both seem to mesh so well, and it makes this project have so much replay value, even when it ain't the Summer.
The EP starts off with "Find Me", a relaxing opener when Buddy raps about spending his time smoking and drinking all by himself, as he hopes for someone to find him and love him. He also reflects on his family's words, rapping "My sister say I'm changing a lot/Someone by the water finally made it straight outta Compton/Father calling me like 'Son we hardly see you at all, Yeah I know you out here shining but you can't do it all by yourself'". While it features some reflective content, it still remains a nice and ambient cut you can easily vibe to. The second song "Guillotine" is my favourite song on the EP, and the one I play the most. Buddy delivers a hook which is a homage to the OutKast song "SpottieOttieDopaliscious", and his two verses are solid as usual, with a confident flow and a catchy bridge to make this song what it is.
"World of Wonders" is a chill and relaxing Summer tune, with a tropical Afrobeat/dancehall style added to it. Interpolating Nelly's "Flap Your Wings", there's nothing much to it other than Buddy singing and coming with a feel good vibe. "A Lite" continues the feel good, relaxing Summer vibes, as Buddy gets in the mood to smoke and party. "Love or Something" is such a great two-stepper, and a nice way to end the EP. It's probably my favourite song on the EP, with them feel good vibes. The hook is real catchy as usual, and it's been in my head so much recently. Buddy's verses were cool, and his flow was tight, but KAYTRANADA's instrumental is the golden part of this song. Makes you wish there was more songs.
Overall, Ocean & Montana is a solid body of work. It's such a wavey vibe from start to finish, suitable for the Summer. Buddy & KAYTRANADA really have some chemistry, and these 5 songs leave you wanting a lot more from them. Their sounds mesh so damn well! Buddy is now prepping for his upcoming debut album, likely dropping sometime this year. Hopefully, he and Kay link up again for some more wavey and laidback joints.
Recommended Tracks: EVERYTHING, including "Guillotine" and "Love or Something"
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