Prompt Thoughts #9 — The Narcisst by Brady Watt, Westside Gunn

Another one that I really enjoyed. I asked it about rating complexity at one point and I think it’s rating was fair and I also think illuminated how it tackles issues of race in an interesting way. Hope you enjoy, I personally love this song.

Break this down line by line from a linguistics perspective:

Intro: Westside Gunn]

Ayo (Grr-r-r)

(Grr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r)

Flygod

Ayo

[Verse 1: Westside Gunn]

You better pray six times a day, praise both

Kill you and your mans with the same scope, you lames broke (Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo)

My pockets longer than train smoke, I’ll let your brains float (Ahh)

Fatality, shell casings droppin’ casually (Boom boom boom boom)

You’re not half of me, I’ll walk through your blood happily (Ahh)

You ever had a gun in your mouth like a cavity?

Amiris got so many rips, they lookin’ raggedy, Lord

I kept the Cullinan in the factory (Skrr)

Got a mil’ plus of art

Used to sit in my cell in the dark

I go to the showers with my boots tied tight, knife sharp

If he died, it’s my fault (Ahh)

I touch the sky with the top off

[Chorus: Westside Gunn]

Ayo, Dolce robbed Gabbana for a half a man (Half a man)

Roc Nation Brunch, style by Dapper Dan (Dapper Dan)

Niggas gonna miss me when I’m done with the shit (Ahh)

The kitchen keep beggin’ me to bag up grams Verse 2: Westside Gunn]

Ayo, my jewelry lookin’ precious

I’m from the east side, shit treacherous

Word on the street, I got the better shit

Fiends droolin’ and scratchin’, MAC-10 action (Grr-r-r-r)

Wait ‘til Sunday, catch you comin’ out church lackin’

Who you pray to?

Out the CLS, I shot the K smooth (Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo)

The ambulance playin’ the same tune, I can’t lose

You should’ve seen it in the lobby at the St. Regis

Scene out of Miami Vice, I left the plate leanin’

Another autopsy, who the fuck shot him?

We all shot (Grr-r-r) at least a hundred shells out the ‘Rari (Grr-r-r-r-r)

Cocaine spots, blockin’ fishscale and calamari

Fiend fell out and died, oops, we sorry

[Chorus: Westside Gunn]

Ayo, Dolce robbed Gabbana for a half a man (Half a man)

Roc Nation Brunch, style by Dapper Dan (Dapper Dan)

Niggas gonna miss me when I’m done with the shit (Ahh)

The kitchen keep beggin’ me to bag up grams

Ayo, Dolce robbed Gabbana for a half a man (Half a man)

Roc Nation Brunch, style by Dapper Dan (Dapper Dan)

Niggas gonna miss me when I’m done with the shit (Ahh)

The kitchen keep beggin’ me to bag up grams

From a linguistics perspective, this song lyrics can be analyzed in terms of its language features and structures. Here’s a breakdown of the lines:

[Intro: Westside Gunn]

• The intro consists of vocal sounds “Grr-r-r” repeated, possibly to convey a sense of intensity or aggression.
• - “Flygod” is a self-proclaimed title or nickname.
• - “Ayo” is an interjection used to get attention or to initiate something.

[Verse 1: Westside Gunn]

• “You better pray six times a day, praise both” implies a religious reference, possibly highlighting the importance of prayer.
• - “Kill you and your mans with the same scope, you lames broke” suggests the speaker’s capability to harm others and criticizes them for being financially unstable.
• - “My pockets longer than train smoke, I’ll let your brains float” uses metaphoric language to emphasize the speaker’s wealth and potential for violence.
• - “Fatality, shell casings droppin’ casually” refers to violent actions and the aftermath of gunshots.
• - “You’re not half of me, I’ll walk through your blood happily” implies the speaker’s superiority and willingness to engage in violence.
• - “You ever had a gun in your mouth like a cavity?” creates a vivid image of a threatening situation.
• - “Amiris got so many rips, they lookin’ raggedy, Lord” mentions a brand name (Amiri) and describes the worn-out appearance of the speaker’s clothing.
• - “I kept the Cullinan in the factory” refers to keeping a luxury vehicle (Rolls-Royce Cullinan) in a secure place.
• - “Got a mil’ plus of art” implies the speaker owns valuable artwork.
• - “Used to sit in my cell in the dark” suggests a past experience of confinement.
• - “I go to the showers with my boots tied tight, knife sharp” hints at the speaker’s readiness for potential conflict.
• - “If he died, it’s my fault” takes responsibility for potential harm caused.
• - “I touch the sky with the top off” is likely a metaphorical expression referring to the speaker’s success or feeling of freedom.

[Chorus: Westside Gunn]

• “Dolce robbed Gabbana for a half a man” suggests the speaker’s involvement in a criminal act targeting someone associated with the Dolce & Gabbana brand.
• - “Roc Nation Brunch, style by Dapper Dan” mentions attending a gathering hosted by Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company) and being dressed by Dapper Dan, a renowned fashion designer.
• - “Niggas gonna miss me when I’m done with the shit” suggests the speaker’s influence or impact that will be missed once they’re no longer involved.
• - “The kitchen keeps beggin’ me to bag up grams” refers to a request to package drugs, highlighting a connection to illicit activities.

[Verse 2: Westside Gunn]

• “My jewelry lookin’ precious” describes the speaker’s valuable accessories.
• - “I’m from the east side, shit treacherous” highlights the challenging or dangerous nature of the speaker’s neighborhood.
• - “Word on the street, I got the better shit” suggests that the speaker possesses superior or high-quality items.
• - “Fiends droolin’ and scratchin’, MAC-10 action” describes drug addicts’ behavior and the presence of a MAC-10 firearm.
• - “Wait ‘til Sunday, catch you comin’ out church lackin’” implies an intention to target someone leaving a church on a specific day.
• - “Who you pray to?” questions the religious beliefs or values of others.
• - “Out the CLS, I shot the K smooth” refers

examine the literary and poetry aspects line by line

Certainly! Let’s examine the literary and poetic aspects of the lines:

[Intro: Westside Gunn]

• The repeated vocal sounds “Grr-r-r” in the intro create a sense of onomatopoeia, mimicking an aggressive or intense sound.

[Verse 1: Westside Gunn]

• The line “You better pray six times a day, praise both” combines religious imagery with a play on words, using “pray” and “praise” to emphasize the importance of faith.
• - The line “Kill you and your mans with the same scope, you lames broke” employs internal rhyme (“mans” and “same”) and alliteration (“scope,” “same,” “you,” “lames”) to enhance the rhythmic flow and create a memorable line.
• - The metaphorical language in “My pockets longer than train smoke, I’ll let your brains float” juxtaposes the length of the speaker’s wealth (pockets) with the dissipating smoke of a passing train, vividly conveying their financial superiority and violent intentions.
• - The line “Fatality, shell casings droppin’ casually” uses alliteration (“fatality,” “shell,” “casings,” “droppin’”) and consonance to create a rhythmic and impactful line.
• - The line “You’re not half of me, I’ll walk through your blood happily” uses a metaphor (“half of me”) to assert dominance and a willingness to engage in violence, while the internal rhyme (“blood,” “happily”) adds to the poetic quality.
• - The line “Amiris got so many rips, they lookin’ raggedy, Lord” employs alliteration (“Amiris,” “rips,” “raggedy”) and ends with an invocation (“Lord”), creating a vivid image of worn-out clothing and expressing a sense of humility or acknowledgment of a higher power.
• - The line “I kept the Cullinan in the factory” utilizes a specific brand name (“Cullinan”) to signify luxury and the image of storing a valuable possession.
• - The line “Got a mil’ plus of art” uses concise language to convey the ownership of a substantial amount of artwork.
• - The line “I go to the showers with my boots tied tight, knife sharp” creates a contrast between the mundane act of showering and the preparedness for potential conflict, using imagery to evoke a sense of danger or readiness.
• - The line “If he died, it’s my fault” suggests personal responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions, adding a layer of introspection to the lyrics.
• - The line “I touch the sky with the top off” uses a metaphorical expression to convey a sense of achievement, freedom, or personal elevation.

[Chorus: Westside Gunn]

• The line “Dolce robbed Gabbana for a half a man” employs wordplay, combining the names of luxury fashion brands to suggest involvement in a criminal act and a diminishing of someone’s worth.
• - The line “Roc Nation Brunch, style by Dapper Dan” mentions notable cultural references, such as attending a prestigious event and being styled by a renowned fashion designer, adding a sense of glamour and status to the lyrics.
• - The line “Niggas gonna miss me when I’m done with the shit” uses informal language to convey a sense of the speaker’s impact and the recognition they anticipate receiving.
• - The line “The kitchen keep beggin’ me to bag up grams” creates a vivid image of a persistent request related to drug packaging, suggesting the speaker’s involvement in illicit activities.

[Verse 2: Westside Gunn]

• The line “My jewelry lookin’ precious” utilizes descriptive language to emphasize the value and allure of the speaker’s accessories.
• - The. line “I’m from the east side, shit treacherous” uses a colloquial expression (“shit treacherous”) to convey the dangerous nature of the speaker’s neighborhood, creating a sense of setting and atmosphere.
• - The line “Word on the street, I got the better shit” employs informal language and alliteration (“street,” “got,” “better”) to create a memorable line that asserts the speaker’s superiority.
• - The line “Fiends droolin’ and scratchin’, MAC-10 action” combines sensory imagery (drooling, scratching) with a reference to a firearm (MAC-10), creating a vivid and gritty portrayal of drug-related scenes.
• - The line “Wait ‘til Sunday, catch you comin’ out church lackin’” employs internal rhyme (“Sunday,” “comin’,” “out,” “church”) and creates a sense of anticipation and danger as the speaker plans an act of violence.
• - The question “Who you pray to?” prompts reflection on religious beliefs or values, highlighting the speaker’s skepticism or challenging others’ faith.
• - The line “Out the CLS, I shot the K smooth” combines specific car and weapon references to create an image of quick and precise action, while the internal rhyme (“shot,” “K,” “smooth”) adds to the rhythmic quality.
• - The line “The ambulance playin’ the same tune, I can’t lose” uses a metaphorical comparison between the siren sound of an ambulance and a repeated melody, expressing a sense of confidence and invincibility.
• - The line “You should’ve seen it in the lobby at the St. Regis” creates a visual scene and suggests a luxurious setting, invoking a contrast between opulence and violence.
• - The line “Scene out of Miami Vice, I left the plate leanin’” references a popular TV show and uses imagery to depict a stylized and potentially dangerous situation.
• - The line “Another autopsy, who the fuck shot him?” employs explicit language and creates intrigue, raising questions about violent events and the identities of those involved.
• - The line “We all shot (Grr-r-r) at least a hundred shells out the ‘Rari (Grr-r-r-r-r)” uses repetition of the vocal sounds (“Grr-r-r”) to add intensity and emphasize the act of shooting, while the imagery of a luxury car (“’Rari”) adds a layer of extravagance.
• - The line “Cocaine spots, blockin’ fishscale and calamari” combines drug-related references with culinary imagery, creating a juxtaposition between illicit activities and luxury goods.
• - The line “Fiend fell out and died, oops, we sorry” uses dark humor and a casual tone to depict a fatal consequence of drug use, incorporating a sudden shift in the narrative.

[Chorus: Westside Gunn]

• The lines in the chorus repeat from the previous analysis, maintaining their poetic and literary qualities.

talk about this songs lyrics

The lyrics of this song are characterized by their raw, gritty, and vivid nature. They depict a world immersed in street culture, crime, violence, and the pursuit of material wealth. The language used is often informal, employing slang and explicit expressions to convey a sense of authenticity and the harsh realities of the speaker’s environment.

The lyrics frequently employ wordplay, metaphors, and imagery to create impactful lines. They showcase the speaker’s confidence, dominance, and willingness to engage in violent acts, asserting their superiority and asserting their control over their surroundings. References to luxury brands, high-profile events, and expensive possessions add a layer of materialism and status to the lyrics.

Religious references and questions challenge traditional beliefs and morality, introducing themes of introspection and skepticism. The lyrics also touch on themes of loyalty, responsibility, and consequences, suggesting a complex moral landscape within the depicted world.

There is a strong emphasis on setting and atmosphere, with descriptions of neighborhoods, specific locations, and scenes that evoke a vivid sense of place. The lyrics draw from popular culture, incorporating references to TV shows, fashion icons, and luxury lifestyles, creating a sense of familiarity and cultural resonance.

Overall, the lyrics of this song immerse the listener in a world of street life, crime, materialism, and personal prowess. They aim to capture the gritty realities and attitudes prevalent in certain urban environments, creating a distinct narrative and evoking strong emotions and imagery.

on a scale of 1–10 with 10 being the most complex, what would this rank

On a scale of 1–10, I would rank the complexity of these lyrics at around 6 or 7. While the lyrics contain vivid imagery, wordplay, and references to various cultural elements, they primarily revolve around street culture, violence, and materialism. The complexity arises from the use of slang, explicit language, and the blending of multiple themes within the narrative. However, compared to highly intricate and layered lyrical compositions found in other genres or literary works, these lyrics fall in the middle range of complexity.

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The last output captures why I even want to do this. 7/10 on the lyrics complexity and this didn’t even examine the beat. Hip Hop is oftentimes not even looked at as an art form even though it is the most popular genre of music at the moment and has been for a while. I hope that things like this are done by more people. There’s a lot of emotion and imagery and intelligence in these poems that should be illuminated better for what it is.