Let's get this going!
#28
Gimme a Chance
8.577
Highest score: 10 x 10 (
@He,
@BML,
@1991,
@JamesJupiter,
@LE0Night,
@Solenciennes,
@soratami,
@digitalkaiser,
@theelusivechanteuse)
Lowest scores: 7 x 9 (
@ThisIsRogue,
@kermit_the_frog,
@beyoncésweave,
@lalaclairi_,
@ufint,
@Remorque,
@CorgiCorgiCorgi,
@Vitamin,
@Sprockrooster)
My score: 10
Track background: Originally leaked/uploaded in
late 2011/early 2012 (Last.fm lists my first play on February 7th, 2012), “Gimme a Chance”, in both of its forms samples
Enon’s “Knock That Door".
Broke with Expensive Taste’s second track, it was written by
Harvey Mason Jr.,
Kevin James,
Oskar Cartaya &
Azealia Banks. As part of its complete revamp, around two-and-a-half minutes in, its production fully flips into a smooth merengue beat, with Azealia singing then rapping in near-perfect Spanish while background vocal respond, “mira como baila la nena morena.” Azealia has previously stated that she learned Spanish from a Dominican babysitter, who also taught her to cook many traditional Dominican dishes - just one instance of
the Latinx/NYC influence she still carries with her today.
See Azealia’s own “16 Days of Azealia” commentary
here.
My thoughts: Talk about an
upgrade from the demo/early mix. Throw me a shot of vodka and I will perform the Spanish bit without flaw. Seriously, probably my favorite bit on the entire album. Just makes me wanna bailar con mi amor toda la noche. An easy 10. My only disappointment associated with the track is that
when she performed this in Detroit, she
left out the Spanish bits, but I quickly got over it considering
I was at an Azealia Banks concert second row. Also, considering she kinda performs it without the part anyway. It’s definitely in the top tier of her album for me and I’m glad most of y’all saw the same - seeing as its lowest score was only a damn 7. Turn up!
Your thoughts:
@Bangers&Bops (9) - After spitting verses about working her way to the cream of the crop, Banks switches things up in the outro, singing (beautifully!) in Spanish while trumpets blare in the background. This just shows off just how versatile Banks can be when she actually tries.
@KingBruno (9) - This sounds like a celebration full of heavy bass and both disco and R&B impacts. I really like the sudden change of language.
@Kuhleezi (9) - The brass is such a joy. The Spanish part obliterates lives, give us more Azealia!
@He (10) - I remember being so marvelled when the song goes into fucking merengue. Azealia lives and breathes her musical influences. Singing and rapping in almost perfect Spanish, while giving you some Santería blessings at the end. Literally who else does this in such a shiny and cool package?
@AshleyKerwin (8.5) - I like the sample and the Spanish part but those are the most distinctive parts of the song I guess.
@ohnostalgia (9) - Azealia is so amazing at splicing seemingly disparate musical sections into a coherent whole. In a way she reminds me of classical musical composers, with their dazzling and dizzying movements. Both composer and conductor, Azealia wields her brass with breathtaking control and whimsy; seemingly on the brink of derailing, but always always guiding home.
@constantino (9) - This is so fucking cute. A lot of the elements on this track (horns, scratching) don’t usually do it for me in rap songs (they feel a bit overdone at this point) but she sells the shit out of this. The Latin flavourings are an excellent touch - especially considering how vocal she has been in her love for the Latinx community in the past, Dominicans in particular.
@Solenciennes (10) - Love the guitar and horns, sounding like something straight out of a Tarantino classic in places, in others sounding like 90s UK meets supermarket intercom announcement meets Introduction to Spanish 101. Utterly wacky and why I love Azealia.
@Trouble in Paradise (8) - The horns and throwback hip hop vibes are fun, and the spanish curveball is enjoyable even on multiple listens
@Remorque (7) - This one's not as effective as the opener, but it does the trick. It's a bit all over the place, but I'm guessing that's the point. I'm loving the disco touches paired with salsa-ish elements that shouldn't work on paper, but in reality kinda do.
Live performances:
AND OMG