hooligan by Baby Keem Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Rambunctious Anthology of Youth and Freedom
Lyrics
Swervin’ through lanes, I am limitless
For the ones down I say free all, huh
I start to question what freedom is
My unc’ put the Chevy on fours
I drip in all black like an emo bitch
But these are not regular clothes
These are the outfits I make a movie in
Baby Keem countin’ through Frito-Lay
I get the call and I go
Shawty gon’ fuck all my goons, stop it
I am above the buffoons, stop it
I am above all the rules
Look at my wrist, it say, “freeze, freeze”
I need to buy a new neck, neck, neck, neck
I stopped wearin’ VVs
(Huh, huh, huh)
Please get the fuck out the pic (huh)
He got to fuck, and he got to fuck
So what is the use of my dick?
She wanna put on her jewelry and play with it
Like she’s entitled to it
I’m done
Bitch, go to your room
I cannot fuck with no corny bitch
I give ’em ten and be done with it
I learned that shit from the gunners
Mask on, they don’t know who it is
Eat the pussy so good
I give her butterflies all in her stomach shit
I’m the youngest nigga runnin’ it
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Hooligans, they on the way
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Had to influence the wave
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Hop in the ship, go to space
Fah-fah-fah, fah, fah
Drive to the crib on the lakes
I need another exit at the show
‘Cause niggas be lurkin’ when I hit the road, stupid
Y’all gotta deal with the boss
Y’all gotta talk to the ones that control, stupid
Even if I take a loss
I stand on the money so tall I see growth, stupid
Turn all you niggas to ghosts, stupid
Take your credit, now you’re toast, stupid
(Huh, huh)
I cannot fuck with no corny bitch
I give ’em ten and be done with it
I learned that shit from the gunners
Mask on, they don’t know who it is
Eat the pussy so good
I give her butterflies all in her stomach shit
I’m the youngest nigga runnin’ it
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Hooligans, they on the way
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Had to influence the wave
Fah-fah-fah, fah-fah-fah
Hop in the ship, go to space
Fah-fah-fah, fah, fah
Drive to the crib on the lakes
Baby Keem’s ‘hooligan’ arrives as an audacious anthem, overflowing with the raw energy synonymous with youth’s tumultuous clash with the structures that bind them. Through a sieve of unapologetic self-expression, Keem investigates the depths of what freedom truly represents in a society that’s quick to define limits.
The track melds the rebelliousness of the titular ‘hooligans’ with an introspective commentary on independence and personal growth. It’s this rebellion against convention that Keem elevates, crafting an environment where the vibrant subtext of generational angst is painted on a canvas of trap beats and lyrical bravado.
No Limits: The Battle Cry for Release
Keem’s opening lines, ‘I get the top while I skeet off, huh / Swervin’ through lanes, I am limitless,’ sets the tone for a track that’s all about defying boundaries. It’s more than bravado; it’s a manifesto of self-liberation, an outward expression of his inner resistance to confinement in any form. This theme of limitlessness ricochets throughout the song, serving as an anthem for those who identify with the boundless energy of pioneering their path.
The vehicular metaphor of swerving lanes not only emphasizes an untamed journey but also reflects a life led beyond the framework of societal norms. In a world beset by cages, both metaphorical and literal, Keem’s proclamation to ‘say free all’ underlines his solidarity with those who are physically and systemically confined.
An Emo’s Threads and a Maverick’s Motifs
A unique aspect of ‘hooligan’ is Keem’s exploration of identity through his wardrobe choices: ‘I drip in all black like an emo bitch / But these are not regular clothes.’ Keem plays with emo subculture’s stereotypical attire to parallel his own deeper sense of alienation and rebellion. His clothes aren’t just a fashion statement; they’re the armor for his own personal revolutions, the ‘outfits I make a movie in,’ suggesting life as an epic in which he’s the protagonist.
The importance of individualism continues as Keem detachedly talks about outgrowing materialism, a surprising evolution for a genre often soaked in the celebration of luxury and wealth. He simplifies his life, a move from the extravagance of VVs to a contemplation for frozen time, as expressed visually by looking at his wrist.
Diving into the Depths of Intimate Relations
Intimacy in ‘hooligan’ is not about love; it is power dynamics at play. Keem narrates his uninterested dismissal of shallow relationships, ‘I cannot fuck with no corny bitch,’ equating them to momentary diversions rather than meaningful connections. It’s a blunt refusal to become entangled in anything that doesn’t serve his pursuit of autonomy.
The raw, explicit lyrics juxtapose an individual’s right to sexual autonomy with an indifference toward consumerist attitudes in relationships, where one may feel ‘entitled’ to another’s body or possessions. Keem tackles the unsubstantiated entitlement with a cold directive: ‘Bitch, go to your room.’
The Hooligans Are Coming: A Movement or a Menace?
As the chorus chants, ‘hooligans, they on the way,’ the listener is led to wonder whether these so-called hooligans are agents of chaos or crusaders for change. This recurring hook serves as a rallying cry, a symbolic gathering of the like-minded who influence ‘the wave’ — potentially a new era defined by freedom and rebellion.
Yet, within these lines lies a string of vigilantism, ‘Mask on, they don’t know who it is,’ suggesting anonymity in the face of authority and consequence. Keem posits hooliganism as both a threat and a promise, a dual-edged sword in which the youth can cut ties with the past to sculpt their future.
Unveiling the Hidden Narrative: Self-Realization at the Core
At its core, ‘hooligan’ delves into the conflict of self-realization, where Keem comments on the ordeal of maintaining personal growth amid the prying eyes of detractors. The ‘show’ is life under scrutiny, and his need for an ‘another exit’ is a metaphor for maneuvering through the socio-political turmoil that accompanies fame and success.
By transforming losses into growth and enemies into ghosts, Keem weaves a hidden narrative about survival and success. In his world, taking credit where credit isn’t due will turn an individual into toast – a testament to his unyielding stance against exploitation and deceit.
