Bas

Born in Paris to Sudanese parents and then as a child settled in Queens, New York, Bas develops rap at the crossroads of New York hip-hop, introspective writing and African influences that have become evident through his discography. He first drew attention with the mixtapes Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. 1 in 2011 and Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. 2 in 2013, before joining the Dreamville entourage, the label founded around J. Cole, with whom Bas collaborates regularly. His first album, Last Winter (2014), lays the groundwork for a loose and melodic style, between personal narratives, social observation and a sense of detail. Bas continues with Too High to Riot (2016), then Milky Way (2018), where his rap opens more to airy textures, warmer rhythms and movements between American rap, R&B and Afro-pop touches. This evolution is also seen in his shorter projects, like Spilled Milk 1 in 2019 and [BUMP] Pick Me Up in 2022, as well as in several collaborations with The Hics, FKJ, JID, EarthGang or Jungle. On We Only Talk About Real Shit When We’re Fucked Up (2023), Bas extends this approach by blending relaxed flows, cosmopolitan production and themes related to travel, identity and family ties.