“Boy Bye” by BROCKHAMPTON

The lyrical foundation of “Boy Bye” is the Brockhampton vocalists (including Kevin Abstract) focusing on the topics of anxiety and depression. But as is the norm with posse cuts, they only stick to the foundational subjects sparingly.

Instead the primary focus for the most part is the artists’ respectively harping on superior social standings or other standard rap themes. For instance, Matt Champion flips the script and spends a considerable portion of his verse basically dissing critics. However, Abstract and Bearface do a good job of actually relaying some of the inner anxiety that they regularly deal with.  Abstract concludes by insinuating that intoxication is a contributing factor to his depression. And Bearface comes off as an artist who feels as if he is not receiving the adequate “love or respect” for his contributions to the game.

But once again, “Boy Bye” reads for the most part like a standard cypher. And the primary goal of these types of raps is always to showcase the rappers’ lyrical skills. That’s why we get a classic setoff by Dom McLennon, who despite mentioning the word “depression” during his opening line really doesn’t stick to that topic at all. And the chorus is about a beautiful girl, constant cashflow and an inept DJ.

Meaning of “Boy Bye”

Moreover the title of the song, “Boy Bye”, seems to be an expression Brockhampton is levying at their opps and critics, as in ‘get out of my face’.  Or at least that seems to be its meaning based on how it is used in the chorus. However what the titular phrase is supposed to mean within the context of its usage during the outro, which is centered on the artists being “beautiful and bashful”, is not abundantly clear, though it can allude to the same idea of shunning haters.. 

But conclusively “Boy Bye” is based primarily on braggadocio, albeit being founded on the subjects of depression and anxiety. And there is also a strong humor element to it.

Quick Facts about “Boy Bye”

• Question Everything Inc. is the record label which released “Boy Bye”. And the release date was 15 August 2019. On that same day the music video to the track was also dropped.
• “Boy Bye” was produced by Brockhampton’s Hemnani, Manwa and Merley.
• They also contributed to its lyrical composition along with Abstract, Bearface, Champion, Joba, McLennon, and Wood. Two other artists who are not directly associated with Brockhampton (Reza Attaei and Varoujan) also co-wrote “Boy Bye”.
• “Boy Bye” was the third single released in advance of the album it is featured on, Brockhampton’s Ginger. “I Been Born Again” and “If You Pray Right” were respectively the first and second singles released from Ginger.