TAPE by BROCKHAMPTON: A Deep Dive Into the Quest for Self-Redemption

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for BROCKHAMPTON's TAPE at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I could barely rap, I could barely dance
I could barely laugh, I could barely hang
And there’s a male stripper doing a belly dance for me
And my boyfriend still the same
And I’m drunk as fuck, nigga sucks up
For a reason to get my bucks up, and the reason I care about society
Is a good enough reason just to hire me
But honestly, see my mom can’t walk and her lungs don’t work like they used to
And I feel like it’s my fault ’cause of music
I be saying shit just to fucking ruined it, I’m truant
But truthfully, the words had damage and it’s fooling me
But even more cruel to be, this is here for you niggas that paid to hear me

Sometimes I be wondering, why I been tripping off
And I should probably spend my time writing rhymes in the dentist’s office
That’s killing two birds with one stone
When I was younger, way before I was grown, I wanted a deal with Death Row
Or Rhymesayers, I’m saving my time for mics later
I might save it, depending on the shit that y’all write later
I hate writers, I hate tweets, I hate journalists
They hate truth, they hate peace, they want my niggas to burn

Flicking on the face of my wrist watch
Watch the time stop just to speak up, watch life unfold
And between the tick-tocks speeding down the one way
Fuck these signs, fuck these lights, put my life on the line
When it feel right, I’m fine
No, I’m not lyin’, don’t ask me
I’ll pay the fine, I’ll pay the toll, just hope I don’t crash it
But hey, if I do, it will be a blaze of glory
Engulfed by the manifestation of death behind me
All my life I’ve felt inadequate
And through the years I’ve dealt with tragedy after tragedy
God, send a message
Send a messenger my way
Never claimed to be a saint, forgive me
Feel like the light that I was blessed with has diminished
I’m haunted, by the visions of my youth turned true
I’ve come to expect my expectations aren’t true
But I’m a master of believing my lies
And you can’t break me, and I can break at the speed of light

I’m afraid to share the bed, what if she want money later
She got laid off, uh, hit my lawyer for some paper
I’m afraid to speak my pains like you’re lucky where you at
You cool but quit complaining ’bout all dat
That’s why I’m showing up late
I’m not tryna be a dick, but my time is not to waste
For myself, for the small talk with my sensei
Where my sense at?
Four-cylinder go round
Lincoln Tahoe pick me up
Drop me off, I got bubble under my biceps, meet me into the sidestep
Ego is getting sized up, I be on butterfly effect
Fuck it, I’ll be myself now, tell ’em I take no shit now
Tell ’em they work for me now, tell ’em my tears, they bleed down
Tell ’em I work like what, what time for me now
Wondering who is me now, wondering where you been now
Lose you in crowds, I see you now
Fourteen, I see ’em all inside of me now
Bank account with less fees now
Make it from ways to feed now, thinking of ways to be everything
But right now

It’s crazy how things that are best reminisce when we check ourselves
It’s crazy people who left started feeling left out when we set for health
Still accustomed to nights filled with solitude
I don’t always remember call goodnight
I don’t always remember my altitude
I don’t always remember to stop the fight
But I might check my sight
It ain’t right, yeah, I know
But my strife overwhelms, every night
Until I’m forced to close my eyes
Brain disease, parasite, eating me from inside
Emotions bleed, I can’t believe
How I’m slipping through the night

At first glance, ‘TAPE’ by BROCKHAMPTON might weave itself into your ears as another complex layer of their multi-textured sonic landscape. Yet, the emotional density of ‘TAPE’ transcends beyond the melody into a poignant examination of self, society, and the relentless passage of time. With an uncensored inner dialogue that ricochets between self-doubt and defiant self-belief, BROCKHAMPTON offers a raw slice of introspection in modern rap music.

The lyrics of ‘TAPE’ seem to crystallize out of the hazy delirium of success and personal turmoil, encapsulating the angst of existence and the search for identity in a cutthroat world. To unpack the genius interwoven into each line is to take a journey through the collective minds of the group, grappling with inner demons and external pressures with equal ferocity.

BROCKHAMPTON’s Confession Booth: Psychological Bareness

As ‘TAPE’ unfurls its verses, what’s striking is the vulnerability of self-revelation. The lyrics read as confessional, exposing a rawness akin to open wounds. When Kevin Abstract admits to feelings of inadequacy in the face of familial illness and his own perceived failures, it’s not just a verse—it’s a vulnerable human heart speaking out. This psychological bareness challenges the standard bravado often associated with hip-hop, inviting the listener into a personal space seldom seen in the genre.

Each line of ‘TAPE’ dismantles the façade of invulnerability, layer by layer. By detailing intimate fears—of misusing his platform, facing the repercussions of transparency, and even intimate relationship insecurities—Abstract and the group concoct a musical tapestry that is not only relatable but also deeply cathartic for both the speaker and the listener.

Decoding the Hidden Angst in BROCKHAMPTON’s Narrative

‘TAPE’ doesn’t shy away from the shard-edged reflections of society and industry. ‘I hate writers, I hate tweets, I hate journalists,’ Abstract declares, signifying an embittered relationship with media—an entity that amplifies but also distorts and criticizes. In the same breath, a longing for recognition emerges, revealing a dichotomy faced by artists who crave understanding yet scorn misinterpretation.

The hidden angst woven throughout the narrative serves a dual purpose: to critique and to cleanse. The members articulate a frustration with the cyclical nature of their plight—pitted against a system they perpetually navigate. It’s a sonic representation of the eternal artist’s struggle for authenticity in an inauthentic space.

When BROCKHAMPTON Meets Mortality: The Clockwork of Existence

‘Flicking on the face of my wrist watch, Watch the time stop just to speak up,’ speaks to the ever-present awareness of mortality, a theme that pulses with urgency throughout ‘TAPE.’ The ticking clock is both a literal and metaphorical motif, representing life’s fleeting nature and the finite opportunities to leave one’s mark. In the race against time, the members of BROCKHAMPTON grapple with the pressure to create a legacy, while also cherishing the sheer act of living.

The hard-hitting introspection on mortality peaks with the imagery of a car racing down a one-way street, a stark metaphor for life’s unidirectional journey. The readiness to ‘pay the toll’ and the achingly poetic acceptance of a possibly fiery end convey a poignant resignation to fate paired with a rebellious zest to live on their own terms.

The Memorable Lines of ‘TAPE’: Chronicling BROCKHAMPTON’s Lyrical Genius

Among a spectrum of piercing one-liners, ‘All my life I’ve felt inadequate, And through the years I’ve dealt with tragedy after tragedy,’ rises as a crescendo of self-aware profundity. It encapsulates the omnipresent self-doubt that plagues not just artists, but any individual striving in the shadow of their aspirations.

‘I’m afraid to speak my pains like you’re lucky where you at,’ raises the curtain on the inner turmoil juxtaposed with external perception. Here lies the distilled essence of ‘TAPE’—an examination of the haunting dissonance between individual suffering and societal expectations of gratitude and grace.

The Sonic Tapestry of Truth: Unraveling BROCKHAMPTON’s Artistic Fabric

With its morose synth backdrops and moody basslines, ‘TAPE’ sonically captures the tumultuous ebb and flow of the lyrics. Each musical element complements the raw articulation of pain, introspection, and fleeting moments of clarity that characterize the song. The track skillfully balances the heaviness of its content with an enigmatic allure that beckons listeners back for repeated explorations.

Ultimately, ‘TAPE’ stands out as an anthem of human complexity. Through a maze of emotional vulnerability and steadfast resolve, BROCKHAMPTON crafts a remarkable chronicle of the contemporary human condition. And as the final notes fade, what remains is an indelible mark on the canvas of music—a poignant reminder of the weight of words and the power of authenticity.