REST IN BASS came off as divisive to internet cesspools privy to Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, as hip-hop promo titans and doomscrollers alike tried to distinguish whether or not Che was just trying to play dress up for an hour. As he drowns in hedonistic pleasures and sins alike, there’s still a sense of honesty that shines through the record. With “EARDRUMMER”, the idea that Che is some dickeating Carti fan (which isn’t really that far off tbh) begins to fade. He skins himself alive to uncover the truth about himself, all in the name of 808s, hi-hats, clap and drank.
As he croons his way through self-discovery, his slurred auto-tuned delivery rings like advice from a sibling. When proverbs speak loud, (“If you want sauce like this, it gotta come from underneath”) estrangement stands with it (“You say you gold, but I’m far from you, I’m close to diamonds”). You can ask Che how to sauce it up, but it’s better off learning for yourself. Look how that’s worked for him. “EARDRUMMER” is the sweet spot where the line is blurred between plagiarism and paraphrasing. As you can see, he’s cited his sources well.