Music
Lil Baby Gets Vulnerable In His 2020 AMA’s Performance Of ‘Emotionally Scarred’
Getty Image An emotional track off his 2020 album, ‘My Turn.’ …
Lil Baby released his second album, My Turn, earlier this year, and songs off that release have been keeping him in rotation this year. The first of which, “We Paid,” is a straightforward braggart rap song about accumulating wealth, the second, though, “The Bigger Picture” was released in June of this year during the Black Lives Matter uprising. That song is an emotional reflection on the struggles he faced growing up as a young Black man in Chicago, and how the police violence against his community continues to harm not only him but the entire community.
"PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH"
Lil Baby with a very important message at the #AMAs pic.twitter.com/greJwyDi2j
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 23, 2020
For his performance on the AMA’s tonight though, Baby opted to show a more vulnerable personal side on “Emotionally Scarred.” His message of protecting mental health came through loud and clear during the emotionally performance. Similar in tone to “The Bigger Picture,” the downtempo song outlines exactly what has happened in Baby’s life to leave him with some battle scars. As one of the few rappers to take the stage tonight, Baby kept things exciting even on a slower song with a raging guitar solo toward the end of the track. It’s always interesting when rappers embrace rock in their work, and it pays off in a big way here. Watch the video above.
Artist Spotlight
North Shy sings about the burden people are left with when relationships end with “Under My Skin”
“Under My Skin” is a very personal release from North Shy, and it’s an emotional confession caught in real time. Written, recorded, produced, mixed, and creatively directed all from his bedroom, the single is a bold statement of artistic independence and emotional honesty. Every detail bears the mark of someone utterly immersed in their own vision.
“Under My Skin” is built from shoegaze textures, distorted guitars, and a restless atmosphere, channeling the emotional intensity of alternative rock while maintaining a dreamy, cinematic feel. Inspired by artists like Deftones, Oasis, Radiohead, and The Smashing Pumpkins, the track never feels derivative.
“Under My Skin” is about the burden people are left with when relationships end. North Shy embodies the unsettling permanence of memory and obsession, striking a balance between explosive instrumentation and moments of quiet emotional exposure. The tension in the track is palpable, the softness to the aggression, the clarity to the chaos, and that’s what gives the song its longevity.
Connect with North Shy on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube
Artist Spotlight
“Days Like These” sees Matt Law turn college memories into a powerful rock anthem
Matt Law’s new single “Days Like These” is a breath of fresh air. The track is centered on the energy of summer memories, college friendships, and the thrill of making music with people who really believe in the moment, and it feels like a snapshot of youth at full volume.
Built on a rock foundation of melody and momentum, “Days Like These” is an uplifting rush from start to finish. The single, recorded with fellow students and collaborators at Riverside Music College, captures the excitement of a band finding its sound as it happens.
Matt Law displays himself as an artist with a good instinct for atmosphere and emotional connection. This song’s lively personality is boosted by drummer Taylor Whyte, bassist Alex Duncan, rhythm guitarist Kian Carrol, and lead guitarist Morgan Flanagan.
“Days Like These” is memorable for its ability to get at a universal feeling. It’s about those moments of freedom, uncertainty, and excitement that mark the early years of adulthood, and it still sounds fresh enough to resonate with people well beyond that. Matt Law’s effort is the first shot in the career of an artist who knows how to turn memories into anthems, giving us one perfect for open roads, late nights, and unforgettable summers.
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