TEETH by BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Gritty Layers of Social Commentary
Lyrics
I done been in trouble, ’bout as long as I remember
My momma tried to help me, but I hardly ever listened
So she sent me to them white schools, I learned that I was different
They told me I’m a nigga, well now I know I am
I got my finger on the trigger, I’m a project baby
A free lunch felon, and I’m hungry every minute
Empty stomach, weed smoke can’t fill it
If you don’t listen to me, I set fire to the building
Need to listen to the children and the weapons they concealing
Hear the voices of a million when I sell my first million
I am bound to go diamond, ain’t no luck or surprises
I am tanning on an island
I can feel the pressure but I see my new horizons
Me and all my niggas getting stars down on Sunset Boulevard
But niggas from the Southside with Xan bars and gun play
Niggas on that “someday”
If you shooting for the stars, you only headed one way
Ooh, ooh ah, ooh aah ah
Within the mosaic of modern hip-hop, BROCKHAMPTON stands as a collective unafraid to peel back the veneer of society to expose the raw, untamed truths shielded beneath. ‘TEETH,’ a poignant track off their sophomore album, ‘SATURATION II,’ is no exception. This track invites listeners into an intimate, unvarnished narrative, rich with the pain and defiance of identity formation and societal pressures.
At first glance, ‘TEETH’ may seem deceptively simple—its runtime is brief, its production minimalistic. Yet, beneath the sparse beats throbs a heartbeat of resistance, a staccato of survival. As listeners, we are thrust into a world where Ameer Vann’s lyrics serve as a roadmap through the complexities of race, class, and ambition—each verse a piece of the mosaic that forms his, and many others’, American reality.
The Agony of Assimilation in Educational Spaces
When Vann recounts being sent ‘to them white schools,’ listeners can almost feel the erasure of cultural identity that often accompanies minorities in predominantly white institutions. The lyrics become a reflection of a system designed to homogenize, to sand away the rough edges of individual backgrounds in favor of a polished, and often oppressive, uniformity.
The lyric ‘They told me I’m a nigga, well now I know I am’ isn’t simply a statement of self-awareness, but rather an indictment of a societal structure that tags identities with heavy, derogatory labels. By reclaiming the term, Vann redirects the narrative, transforming what is often intended as an insult into a defiant assertion of self.
A Portrait of Poverty: The Reality of the ‘Project Baby’
Vann’s declaration ‘I’m a project baby / A free lunch felon, and I’m hungry every minute’ paints a visceral portrait of the cyclical trap of poverty. Here, the listeners are served an unfiltered glimpse at the hunger (both physical and metaphorical) that afflicts those born into low-income environments, where free school lunches are less a privilege and more a lifeline.
The music becomes an echo of the empty stomachs and the gnawing desperation of marginalized youth. It’s a stark reminder that for some, the very act of survival is an ongoing battle—with society’s expectations, with systemic inequalities, and with their own burgeoning identities amidst it all.
Firestarter: The Rebellion of the Unheard
The line ‘If you don’t listen to me, I set fire to the building’ bursts forth as both a metaphor and a call to action. It speaks to a raw sense of being unseen, unheard, undervalued. It’s an ultimatum that highlights the dangerous tipping point when individuals, pushed to the edges of society, might resort to drastic measures simply to be acknowledged.
In choosing to express this through the provocative image of setting fire, TEETH taps into a primal cry for change—one that refuses to be quenched until the pleas and dreams of the marginalized are given the weight and consideration they deserve.
Seeking Solace in Stardom: The Paradox of Aspiration
The conflicting emotions surrounding success are woven throughout ‘TEETH.’ Vann muses ‘Me and all my niggas getting stars down on Sunset Boulevard,’ a line which offers a glimpse at the commodification of dreams in America. The promise of a star, metaphorically and literally, represents the apex of acclaim in a culture that often equates fame with worthiness.
Yet, this rise to stardom is not without its caveats. As ambition intersects with reality, the lyrics expose the dissonance between the glorified vision of success and the gritty truths of achieving it—especially for those starting on a playing field that’s far from level.
Memorable Lines that Echo Through the Consciousness
Amidst the raw delivery and poignant revelations, some lines from ‘TEETH’ leave a lasting echo, such as ‘Hear the voices of a million when I sell my first million.’ It’s a pledge of solidarity and representation—a reminder that Vann’s voice is not just his own, but a chorus of those who share his struggle and hopes.
These lines transcend mere words, becoming anthems for an underrepresented populace. They’re mantras imbued with the power of unity and the perseverance to maintain one’s course, even through uncertainty. It reinforces the notion that the act of storytelling in music can be a profound tool for capturing the collective spirit of a community.
