Baby Keem: Ca$ino

Pitchfork

by Dylan Green

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Baby Keem’s latest album *Ca$ino* marks a significant evolution in his career, offering a more introspective and reflective sound compared to his earlier work. The album, released after nearly five years since his last project, features an extensive three-part mini-documentary that delves into Keem’s origins in Long Beach and Las Vegas, blending interviews with family, friends, and producers with behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process. While *Ca$ino* showcases Keem’s ability to merge genres like AAA rap, SoundCloud underground, and subtle R&B, it also reveals a tonal shift that leaves his artistic identity feeling disjointed. Keem’s signature vocal style—once described as a chaotic, energetic “goblin cry”—has matured into a more grounded tone, often resembling the gritty delivery of Caine from *Menace II Society*. While this change suits tracks like the opener “No Security” and the closer “No Blame,” it struggles to adapt elsewhere, particularly on songs like “Dramatic Girl” and “$ex Appeal,” where his voice feels out of place. Despite his technical prowess as a rapper, Keem’s attempt to croon over pastel pop and funky hyphy beats falls flat, leaving some tracks feeling disengaged. The album also sees Keem grappling with conflicting artistic influences, as he experiments with Andre 3000-inspired tones and Kendrick Lamar-like staccato delivery. While his flows remain athletic, they often fail to make a strong case for themselves, particularly on the title track “Ca$ino,” where his verses feel overshadowed by Cardo’s frenetic production. Collaborations with Too $hort and his cousin Kendrick Lamar, once electrifying, also lose their lustre, resulting in tracks that feel generic and uninspired. Despite its mixed execution, *Ca$ino* is an important milestone for Baby Keem as he moves beyond the

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Originally published on Pitchfork on 2/24/2026