Tate Kobang: "Bank Rolls (Remix)"

Perfect rap songs don’t magically cure a broken city’s ills, but they do make living in them a hell of a lot more fun. Northeast Baltimore native Tate Kobang dropped the original version of “Bank Rolls” earlier this spring—a hookless freestyle, less than two minutes long and straight to YouTube, that nonetheless quickly became a local radio staple. It’s an update of Tim Trees’ regional hit of the same title from 2000, over dusty claps and sparse keys from Baltimore club godfather Rod Lee. (Even the unfamiliar might remember his “Dance My Pain Away” from—you guessed it—”The Wire” soundtrack.) “I love my city, ask about me and I bet they know me!” Kobang boasted, beaming with hometown pride during a season when that kind of optimism was sorely needed.

Kobang signed to 300 Entertainment this summer, and “Bank Rolls” is getting a new push: an extended remix with a second verse, and an alternate video. You’d think he’d use that label money to make the second video a blockbuster. Nope: it’s still Kobang and his friends, hitting the B-more 2-step in neighborhood alleys. His Uncle Jimmy, the one who’s “’round the corner on the avenue” in the song, shows up wearing a bow tie. There’s still no hook—just Kobang floating, good-naturedly reminding any doubters: “I know that you hate me, fuck it, I love you.” He’s made it really hard to walk away from “Bank Rolls” unhappy. That’s the point.

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