Deep Fried Frenz by MF DOOM Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Complexities of Friendship in Hip-Hop Culture
Lyrics
Friend
As you call ’em, they call you when they need something
Trees for the blunt, the g’s for the front
I found a way to get piece of mind for years
And left the hell alone, turn a deaf ear to the cellular phone
Send me a letter, or better, we could see each other in real life
Just so you could feel me like a steel knife
At least so you could see the white of they eyes
Bright with surprise, once they finish spitting lies
Associates, is your boys, your girls, bitches, niggas, homies
Close, but really don’t know me
Mom, dad, comrade, peeps, brothers, sisters, duns, dunnies
Some come around when they need some money
Others make us laugh like the Sunday funnies
Fam be around whether you paid or bummy
You could either ignore this advice, or take it from me
Be too nice and people take you for a dummy
So nowadays he ain’t so friendly
Actually, he woulda even made a worthy enemy
Read the signs: “No feeding the baboon”
Seeing as how they got ya back bleeding from the stab wounds
Y’all know the dance, they smile in ya face, y’all know the glance
Try to put ’em on, they blow the chance
Never let your so-called mans know ya plans
(How many of us have them?) A show of hands
(Friends) Is a term some people use loosely
I’m real choosy on what I choose to let crews see
You telling me, I try to act broke
Jealousy the number one killer among black folk
Fellas be under some type of spell, like crack smoke
Ghetto Cinderellas, lead ’em right to your stack, loc
Just another way a chick’ll lead to your end
I check the dictionary for the meaning of friend
It said: person, one who likes to socialize with
Sympathizer, helper, and that’s about the size of it
Most of the time these attributes is one-sided
To bolster the crime, they apt to shoot you through your eyelid
And they can’t hide it, going wild like a white bitch
Sometimes ya need to cut niggas off like a light switch
(Click!) and when things get quiet
Catch ’em like a thief in the night (bow!) what a riot
I first met Mr. Fantastik at a arms deal
Don’t let it get drastic, think of how ya moms’ll feel
When it get for real, the steel get to sparking
Everything darken, and ain’t no talking
For somethin so cheap it sure buys a lot of trouble
Ya better off focusing than tryin to plot to bubble
Or else it’d be a sad note to end on, the guns we got is
(One’s we can depend on, friends!)
Some come in the form of co-dependence
Alotta times only end up bein co-defendants
Ten bucks say they tell for a lower sentence
And leave you up under the jail, beggin’ for a penance
It don’t make no sense, what happened to the loyalty?
Honor amongst crooks, trust amongst royalty
I’d rather go out in a blaze, than give ’em the glory
(How many of us have) a similar story
(Friends!)
Before lovers we used to have some type of overstanding
Just so when I let her get the man thing, she know its no strings
We could do the damn thing, but ho it’s no rings
Just how the tramp swings, will she see ’em again?
That depends on how good was the skins
And could she memorize the lessons, it ain’t no need to pretend
Even though she let ’em stab it, she know they just friends
(Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Ones we can depend on?
Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Before we go any further)
Fellas! Don’t be silly! I know who my friends are!
And the next nice neighborhood I move into, you guys’ll get crackin’
Deep Fried Frenz by MF DOOM stands as a testament to the rapper’s lyrical prowess and sharp social commentary. On the surface, the track may seem like a straightforward dive into the dynamics of friendship, but beneath the catchy beats and clever rhymes lies a rich exploration of trust, betrayal, and the stark realities of human relationships in the modern world.
In this piece, we’ll dissect the layers of meaning behind the rhymes, offering fans and newcomers alike a deeper understanding of one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic figures and his views on camaraderie and its many facades. The song itself is not just a page from DOOM’s personal journal but a mirror for many who navigate through friendships with caution and skepticism.
The Facade of Friendship: Unmasking Truths
Much like the metal-faced persona he dons, MF DOOM peels back the mask on so-called ‘friends’ in ‘Deep Fried Frenz.’ The track challenges the listener to reevaluate their own circles, suggesting that appearances often deceive and those nearest may harbor ulterior motives. DOOM throws into relief the transactional nature of some friendships, hallmarked by opportunism — ‘Trees for the blunt, the G’s for the front,’ he spouts with a knowing disdain.
This cutting critique of superficiality in relationships isn’t just confined to the music industry’s notorious fickleness but reflects a societal epidemic where social media often blurs the boundaries of true companionship, supplanting depth with likes, shares, and occasional comments.
A Culture of Betrayal: The Ties that Bind and Gag
The lexicon of loyalty is under DOOM’s microscope as he splices through the language that describes our alliances. ‘Associates’, ‘homies’, ‘comrades’, and even ‘fam’ — each term dissected and dismissed for their lack of genuine connection. With each bar, DOOM posits that loyalty is an endangered sentiment, supplanted by self-interest and deceit ‘in a blaze’ of treachery.
His stance is underpinned by the criminal world analogies and the harsh reality of street affiliations, where the very ‘friends’ you empower might be the architects of your downfall. The ‘no feeding the baboon’ metaphor starkly paints this picture of exploitation and backstabbing.
The Hidden Meaning: An Exploration of Society’s Disenchantment
Beyond the interpersonal, ‘Deep Fried Frenz’ delves into the collective consciousness of a community disenchanted with its internal dynamics. The song reflects the underbelly of black societal relationships, marred by jealousy and conditioned to see betrayal as commonplace — ‘Jealousy the number one killer among black folk,’ DOOM raps, hinting at the self-destructive patterns embedded within.
It’s a poignant reminder of the double-edged sword that is survival in marginalized communities – the hustle for success often eroding trust and fracturing unity. DOOM’s candid storytelling offers an audacious social indictment; a call for introspection on how communities can rebuild the very solidarity that’s been scorched by hardship and competition.
The Art of Subtlety: DOOM’s Memorable Lines
While dissecting themes of loyalty and trust, DOOM sprinkles his verses with memorable lines that linger long after the track ends. References to ‘how ya moms’ll feel’ and ‘ghetto Cinderellas’ paint a vivid picture of consequences and regrets. His words are strategic, selected carefully to forge a connection with the listener’s experiences outside the stereo system.
The impact of these lines is magnified by their relatability — whether mentioning the sting of a ‘cellular phone’ turned silent or the cold realization that some friends only appear when in need. It’s a richness in writing that serves both as a cautionary tale and a beacon guiding us to authentic connections.
Friendship or Foe? The Track’s Challenge to Norms
MF DOOM doesn’t just call for reflection but demands a re-evaluation of values. ‘Deep Fried Frenz’ is more than a collection of stories, it’s a direct challenge to the norms of companionship and how we classify those we associate with. Through witty wordplay and vivid scenarios, the track pushes us to question the foundations of our friendships.
In the final tally, the song prompts a metamorphosis in perception. While many rap narratives celebrate the bonds of brotherhood and unity, DOOM flips the script, advocating for a guarded heart and discernment in an era where the word ‘friend’ is too often misappropriated. For listeners, it’s a melancholic acknowledgment that perhaps in a modern context, true friendship might be as rare and elusive as the artist himself.
