Music Review: Fifth Harmony " Bo$$"

Fifth Harmony

Bo$$

Album: Reflection

Year: 2014

               Camila Cabello won’t put up with misognyistic men in the  sluggish            “Bo$$”

          A reluctant saxophone opens the single, setting a shaky tone.  She sorts through the racks at Barney’s. She walks to the register, her hands loaded with skirts, blouses and shoes. She gives the sales clerk her black Amex. Fashion has been her obsession she was teen. Being able to afford the designer clothes now makes her want to dance in the aisle. She stops for a bagel on the way home. As she waits in line, the guy next to her licks his lips at her and says he would like to smack her ass. She glares him and says not to talk to her like that ever again. She adds she’s too good for him and knows he’s only after her money. (“Every day is payday, swipe my card, then I do the Nae Nae/You're talking to a lady, I want a Kanye, not a Ray J/So that's a no no, I'm a Maybach, and you's a Volvo/This convo beat like Dre, I already know whatcha tryna say.”)

           In the pre-chorus, she says isn’t going to be any man’s kept woman, depending on him for everything. Her parents raised her to have a career. A husband may come along or he may not. Either way, she has her own life and interests that are important. (“You say that you a baller and I see you trying holla/But that ain't how I was brought up, next/Working for the money cause that's what my mama taught me/So your ass better show me some respect.”)

             In the chorus, she’s a classy woman who makes a ton of money. (“Bo$$ Michelle Obama/Purse so heavy gettin' Oprah dollars/ Bo$$ Michelle Obama/Purse so heavy gettin' Oprah dollars/ Bo$$ Michelle Obama/Purse so heavy gettin' Oprah dollars/ Bo$$ Michelle Obama/Purse so heavy gettin' Oprah dollars.”)

           He tries to butter her up, saying she’s beautiful and has excellent taste. She shakes her head. She’s the one who pulls the strings and really isn’t looking for a boyfriend right now. (“C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T, That's me, I'm confident/Don't want yo compliments, use common sense/I'm on my Michelle Obama shhh, shut your mouth/Boy I think you know who runs this house/I ain't thirstin' for no bae/Cause I already know whatcha tryin' to say.”)

         The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

         In the bridge, she says her loyalty is to the women like her, earning their money by working hard and not letting any man determine their worth. (“I pledge allegiance to my independent girls in here/Ooh baby/So if you're with us, come on let me hear you say/Yeah, yeah, yeah/Do do do do do.”)

        The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again to end the single.

      Fifth Harmony’s stuttering rap seems to be a half step behind. It’s obvious the some of the young ladies are more comfortable with it than others. In the chorus, though, they show significant improvement in their harmonizing. They are much fuller and rich than they were before.  However, it’s ironic they are rapping just as their vocals as a group can be shown off.

      Pop culture references abound. The “Nae Nae” is a dance, which has become an internet meme. Maybach is a luxury sports car which is no longer being made. The Volvo, on the other hand, can be found on in any street in the United States. Those are  the best reference. Both make the point that she’s in the know and a rarity without actually saying it.

               The Ray J reference is on point. Any rap effort (and that term is being used loosely) is a disrespectful slam against one of one his exes. However, Kanye West isn’t  such a prize, either. He is far more obsessed with his celebrity status than all the gossip rags combined. The shade thrown at Dr. Dre, though, is out of left field and uncalled for.

           The Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, two of the most powerful women in the United States, are over-the-top arrogant choices. It makes her sole concern to power trip, using her status as a reason to  be cruel in her own way.

                   The  faddish “Bo$$” has its moments but not enough to stop the car, turn the radio up and take the long way just to hear all of it.