WHAT KIND OF RAPPIN’ IS THIS? by JPEGMAFIA Lyrics Meaning – A Dissection of Rebellion and Authenticity
Lyrics
Wrist, wrist, wrist (ah)
Wrist, wrist, wrist (ah)
Ice, ice, ice, bitch
Look at this shit
(I still believe)
What kind of rappin’ is this? (Tell me)
Now I’m lookin’ at this one
Now I’m lookin’ at that one
Now I’m lookin’ all over the world, yeah
Yeah lil’ bitch, I been rappin’ like this
Niggas thinkin’ that’s-
Uh, are you feelin’ me now?
Big dawg, make ’em follow the script
Like it long when I’m back in the house
And lil’ bitch, I been rappin’ like this (uh)
Mary and Barry, I’m takin’ the hit
You carry the cross, I carry the clip like
What kind of rappin’ is this?
I pray to hit for a sound like
Please don’t deliver me now
Weak men always got so much issue with me
It just happens as bound, uh
Lil’ bitch, I been rappin’ like this
Covered in money, they pick and I strip
My poppers are close to my partners ain’t shit (no)
I rap like I want marvin splittin’ my wig
You one war with me, splittin’ your wig
Say a few words, jump back in the pit
What kind of rappin’ is this? (Tell me)
Yeah, now I’m lookin’ at this one
Now I’m lookin’ at that one
Now I’m lookin’ all over the world, yeah
Yeah lil’ bitch, I been rappin’ like this
Niggas thinkin’ that’s true
In the contemporary soundscape where hip-hop genres blend and identities are often masked under layers of production, JPEGMAFIA stands out as an enigma. His latest track ‘WHAT KIND OF RAPPIN’ IS THIS?’ is a testament to his unique brand of music—a confluence of experimental sounds and hard-hitting lyricism.
At first glance, the lyrics may appear to be a skeletal framework of rap braggadocio and self-assurance, but a closer examination reveals a complex commentary on the art form itself, an existential introspection of JPEGMAFIA’s space within it and a critique of the societal norms that try to define what rap should be.
A Call to Break Free from Conventional Shackles
The relentless repetition of ‘Wrist, wrist, wrist’ juxtaposed with ‘Ice, ice, ice, bitch’ reads like a mockery of status symbols so pervasive in hip-hop. JPEGMAFIA is simultaneously indulging in and satirizing these tropes, suggesting a craving for authenticity amid superficial excess.
By asking, ‘What kind of rappin’ is this?’ JPEGMAFIA confronts the listener, challenging the preconceived notions of what hip-hop is and is not. His flow is fluid, unpredictable, and challenges the cookie-cutter expectations of rhythm and rhyme that have typified much of mainstream rap.
Unraveling the Hidden Meanings Within
Mentions of ‘Mary and Barry’ and the phrases ‘carry the cross, I carry the clip’ serve as more than mere rhymes—they are rich with reference. The former being a nod to the infamous mayor of D.C., known for his controversies, while the latter reflects the dual burdens of societal judgement and self-defense JPEGMAFIA shoulders.
These lines are evocative of a personal narrative that is deeply entwined with the socio-political landscape, and JPEGMAFIA’s place in it as a black artist. Packed with subtext, the song is an allegory for resistance against the drug wars, systemic oppression, and the battle of survival that many face.
The Bravado of Staying True to Oneself
‘Now I’m lookin’ at this one / Now I’m lookin’ at that one’ reads as an introspective examination of the landscape of contemporaries. By highlighting his unwavering style—’Yeah lil’ bitch, I been rappin’ like this’—JPEGMAFIA states his refusal to conform to any particular trend.
This anthem of individualism is infused with defiance and a touch of irreverence. The repetition is a technique to drive the point home: JPEGMAFIA has developed his own narrative, distinct from the rest, and he sticks to it with an unapologetic fervor.
Delving Into the Complex Layers of Production
The sonic landscape of ‘WHAT KIND OF RAPPIN’ IS THIS?’ mirrors the chaotic, fractured nature of the lyrics. The production is a maelitre of eclectic beats and soundscapes that throw the listener into a visceral experience of JPEGMAFIA’s tumultuous psyche.
The track serves as a microcosm of his broader artistic delivery: unpredictable and unconventional. It demands attention and challenges listeners to embrace complexity over the simple digestibility of more straightforward beats and flows.
Memorable Lines: Modules of a Rap Philosophy
Between the abrasive self-assurance, ‘My poppers are close to my partners ain’t shit’, resonates as a stark declaration of JPEGMAFIA’s intimacy with his art and his skepticism of those around him. Here, he cements a philosophy of guarded vulnerability inherent to his style.
‘What kind of rappin’ is this?’ is more than just a repeated line; it’s a mantra, a challenge, an invitation to question. Each articulation underlines JPEGMAFIA’s disdain for simplistic categorization and reflects his desire to redefine what the genre encompasses.
