“Area Codes” by Kali
Kali’s “Area Codes”, which was released on 17 March 2023, samples Ludacris’ classic of the same name that came out over 20 years ago. They are also based on the same theme, i.e. the vocalist having different “hoes”, as in on-call romantic conquests, throughout the United States “in different area codes”. However Kali takes a female instead of male approach.
WHO IS KALI?
Kali is a rapper from Georgia who is in her early 20s as of this dropping. Info on the earlier entries in her discography is sparse, but what is ascertainable is that her most-popular song to date, prior to “Area Codes”, has been 2020’s “Do a Bit*h”.
As with the previous hit, this song also has achieved TikTok notoriety. It also proved enough of a social-media hit for Kali and her people were compelled to complete it with a music video, as directed by Adonis Blackwood.
This song was co-produced and co-written by Tate Kobang who has a notable history working alongside Nicki Minaj. The other producer of “Area Codes” in YG Beats, and its other co-writers are:
- Alexus Cokley
- Kendall Evin Taylor
- Kali
THE LYRICS OF “AREA CODES”
One major difference between Luda’s version of “Area Codes” as opposed to that of Kali’s is that the latter doesn’t make any direct sexual references.
Or let’s say that from the perspective of Luda, a male, a hoe is a woman who he can sleep with whenever he wants, even though they live in different cities and aren’t serious like that. But from the viewpoint of Kali, that term would rather apply to men who are so smitten by her that she can take money from them whenever she wants.
Of course as mature adults, we know that she too has to offer something in return. In the first verse, centered on the “white boy on (her) roster”, it’s just her playing the role of his girlfriend that the victim appears content with, since he’s enamored by her looks.
But the second verse reads as if Kali’s romantic interest is along the lines of a black drug dealer. And since, unlike the guy in the first verse, she has to collect money from him directly, again, the adult implication would be that there is some bonking going on along the way.
But that wouldn’t matter to a playa like Kali. More to the intended point, once again, is the vocalist touting her ability to exert her will over a wide variety of men due to their attraction to her, with Kali’s will being to take their money while maintaining her complete romantic freedom.
