“PTSD” by Pop Smoke

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a scientific way of saying that someone has been psychologically scarred for a life by a tragic event(s). And accordingly in the chorus of this song, Pop Smoke reveals that he does suffer from PTSD, which he alleviates via ‘getting high’. But outside of that he only deals with the topic sparsely. In fact when he mentions that he ‘spoils himself’ – i.e. spends wads of cash on personal luxuries like jewelry and vehicles – in order to “ease the pain”, that is the only other time in the song where he kind of alludes to its titular subject.

“PTSD” centers Violence

Meanwhile most of the track is actually centered on gun violence. The general implication would be that Pop Smoke, who grew up on the mean streets of Brooklyn and is a recognized gang affiliate, has been traumatized by all of the violence he has witnessed throughout the years.  But more to the point of the actual lyrics themselves is his ability to, succinctly put, get rivals shot. And in that regard he even namedrops a couple of his homeys who apparently serve as his hitmen.

Now in hindsight, the most-telling part of this tune is actually the beginning of the second verse. It is here where Pop threatens to ‘kick down the door’ and ‘run in the house’ of someone he apparently has beef with. And of course, as is clearly illustrated by the following line, what he is alluding to is invading someone’s home with a gun. Now these lyrics did prove accurate in a way, though not as he anticipated. For Pop Smoke himself was murdered, via being shot during a home invasion, on 19 February 2020 – about six months after this track was released.

Conclusion

So all things considered, we can say if nothing else that Pop verily and truly lived that street life. And that is ultimately the idea he wants to imbue on the listener via this song, that the violent experiences he raps about have a factual basis. Indeed it was so much so that he actually suffered from PTSD as a result.

Writing and Production

This track was produced and co-written by Rico Beats, with the other co-writer of course being Pop Smoke himself.

Release Date of “PTSD”

“PTSD” came out on 26 July 2019, via Republic Records and Victor Victor Worldwide, as part of Pop Smoke’s debut EP, “Meet the Woo”.