Case study: Can a white man change?

When scrolling Instagram, two musical artists consistently appear, wearing the likes and reposts of my friends like medals. These two are Olivia Rodrigo, and BBNo$. From the media I've been shown online, I do not fully support their work / just don't get it. So, I have decided to listen to three randomly selected* songs of each, form my own opinions, and see if my perspectives change.

*Gone to the most saved discography playlist of each artist, and hit shuffle play.

Before I do that, I will share my current thoughts on each.

Olivia Rodrigo: Her songs consist of elementary school rhymes and a few curve-balls that make people feel smart for understanding. In a few of the songs I've heard she builds up anticipation just to perform the next stanza as fast and in the highest voice she possibly can, like that's pleasing to the ear. I'm impartial to most of her music, I find it tolerable, definitely not sensational. This is why it irks me when I find friends in my Instagram notes quoting her lukewarm songwriting, like is she paying you to glaze so hard? I have muted a few people over it.

BBNo$: His media presence feels like a plague, why the hell is he in EVERYTHING. at least it's never content that I initially am a fan of anyway. He's always hitting the same dead-eyed expression, maybe he knows what a poser he is. Separating the chud from the music, yeah it's upbeat and fun, I wouldn't mind listening to it at a party as long as he'd stop including himself in the lyrics. 

Now that's out of the way, I will listen to the songs.

Olivia

u + me = <3

The beginning instrumental was neat, something I could imagine there being tonnes of shoegaze edits of. The beginning struck me as weezer-esque. Her bridge in this one felt no different to all her rest. Overall sounded like it could maybe be used in a teen romcom, or is that what she's always been going for? 5/10.

my way

Ooh this one sounds angrier, I like that. Enjoying the electronics and static-y mic backup vocals. Again, the bridge disappoints. She's just talking fast. Chorus was fun, I'd dance to it if I were drunk and in a really good mood (without anyone watching of course). 7/10.

girl I've always been

not a fan of acoustic being the lead instrument, but that's just me. This one's alright, not much to say (I'm a horrible critic, I know). 6/10.

BB

It took me a moment to conquer the embarrassment of searching this guy on Spotify in a public space. As I am in a study area, hopefully people just think I'm a media student.

wassup

Ok he's just a horny hip hop rapper, what's new? "backshots like 'ooouhhh'"?? not going to think of giving this one points for writing. "she want the gravy train, let me get some tickets" The repitition of the song's title was really annoying. OF COURSE he had to name himself in the end. 2/10

flex

" I'm-ma take a shit, I'm-ma shit on you *pbbbft* "

This is souring my mood for my exam in thirty minutes. 3/10.

diamonds last forever

props to the mosquito in the band, this one isn't awful. reminds me of old roblox music. Actually, that's too nice. More like old fortnite lobby music. Akin to Marshmello, whom I was never a fan of either. 6/10.

Final thoughts

Neither person's music is really for me. Maybe in future I'll be less hard on Olivia, though I still don't get all the hype surrounding her. I dislike baby-no-talent even more now. Case closed, I do not change.