4batz is living 4 the moment.
His debut EP, u made me a st4r, dropped on Friday (May 3) and proves the Dallas native is much more than a fleeting, momentary presence—he’s an artist who’s here to stay.
Batz has been everywhere all at once over the past few months, taking time to reflect on his rapid come-up on the project’s opening track “umademeast4r.mp3.” “One moment, I was going through the hardest shit I’ve ever been through in my life, to being the biggest artist in the world, I guess,” he says, debuting his real, un-pitched voice on a record for the first time.
Tracks like the previously released “act v: there goes another vase,” as well as act I, II, and III all appear on the dreamy, chopped R&B record. 4Batz sound is unabashedly intoxicating, reminiscent of both Brent Faiyaz’s toxicity and Bryson Tiller’s “Inhale.” Highlights like “act iv: fckin u (18+),” “act vi: mad man” and a ghostly, 90s-esque ballad “act viii: i hate to be alone,” if it wasn’t his online persona that set the game ablaze, Batz’s range on U made me a st4r is most impressive—lifting the Dallas singer to the top of R&B.
Sharing its tracklist on April 30, the EP holds the remix to “act iii: on god? (she like),” which features Kanye West,” and breakout singles in “date @ 8” and “stickerz 99.” UMMAS was planned to be distributed by Drake‘s OVO Sound label, to which 4batz signed a one-project deal in March, however that deal seemingly withered due to Drake’s focus on his beef with Kendrick Lamar. It has since been distributed by gamma.
Hours after Drake hopped on highly-anticipated remix to his viral track “act ii: date @ 8,” the announcement of his signing sent the internet ablaze. 4batz only had three singles under his belt prior to UMMAS, with his most recent being “act iii: on god? (she like).” He also conceded that the video of him meeting Drake was his first concert “ever.”
The 20-year-old star has taken the industry by storm since the release of his debut single “act i: stickerz 99” last June. In under a year, 4batz has amassed over 10 million Spotify monthly listeners with just three singles, as online naysayers continue to debate whether or not the rising rap-adjacent R&B vocalist (akin to PARTYNEXTDOOR) is an “industry plant” or a marketing genius. In an interview with GQ, 4batz explained his signature style, wearing a “shiesty” everywhere he goes.
“We’ve been wearing ski masks since we was kids, it’s not no costume, bro. It’s just how I ride,” he said. “Ain’t nothing calculated. I did it because this is my type of sh*t. I’m bringing people to my world and if they like it, they like it. If they don’t, I don’t give a f*ck.”
As far as his partnership with The Boy, time will tell if The Bat flies higher with or without him. But on the surface, a new st4r* is born in 4batz.
Listen to ‘U made me a st4r’ below!