Kalen Nicole

“See me, I ain’t nothing nice,” is a moment of voiced self-awareness, intended to convey the propensity of the artist to engage in physical altercation should conflict arise.

The voice behind these sentiments is Princess, a member of the Crime Mob Crew. Princess goes on to say:

See, me, I ain’t nothing nice, and Crime Mob, it ain’t no stopping
It be like Sadaam Husein, Hitler, and Osama Bin Laden
Now they steady gum popping and I am acting a fool
I wish a hater would get crunk up on this Crime Mob crew
Now, enough is enough, boy, rough and get stuffed, boy
Luck is a must, boy, knuck if you buck, boy. –Knuck If You Buck, Crime Mob

Released in 2004, Knuck If You Buck, includes lyrics that are very familiar to many Black millennials, family reunions, college parties and emotions. And as a Black millennial, who attends family reunions, college parties, has emotions and enjoys hip hop music- I am not exempt.  My all time favorite song is the undisputed classic, Rock Yo Hips, which is also by Crime Mob. I really like hip hop and during my undergraduate years, shortly after the release of Straight Outta Compton, I was introduced to an extension of hip hop known as trap music.

“Trap music is based on use of the 808 Roland drum machine, pitched and re-sampled hiphop/rap vocals, pipe flutes, gangsta synth leads, and various FX. Similar to rap without the main vocal,”

In my perception, trap music usually contains more dangerous, degrading and illegal lyrical content than hip hop. (Comment if you disagree, let me learn).

Other than civil disobedience, which is used for the collective good, I  enjoy following rules and social expectations, avoiding illegal substances, being a feminist/womanist in theory and in practice by respecting, uplifting and supporting women.  I’ve been wondering:

What attracts me to the world of trap, when it contradicts my entire ideology?

This is how I want to my personal development to be conveyed:

“I rock, I roll, I bloom, I glow,” See You Again, Tyler the Creator.

But this is the music I perpetually feed by spirit:

“I come in the club, shaking my dreads, throwing these bows and busting these heads,” Knuck If You Buck, Diamond.

How do these catchy lyrics influence my expectations, social interactions and self-perception?

Spotify informed me that I had listened to songs by Migos for a total of eight hours in 2018, which I considered pretty telling UNTIL my cousin pointed out that I actually use Apple Music more than Spotify, so I had likely logged upward of sixteen hours, not to mention all the YouTube mixes…

That’s a lot, “arms up, believe me, believe me,” Slippery, Migos. 

I am amazing on the aux! I orchestrate symphonies in Ubers, my morning makeup routine doubles as a concert and my six minute commute to work is enough to make the car drive itself.

                    Do I continue to trap music because I value wit and enjoy catchy beats?                     Even at the expense of condoning messages I can’t relate to or support?

After three years of being side-eyed by my peers and ignored by my parents, I’m starting to wonder why I feel so attached to this melodic yet malicious music.

I’ve decided to ask a few of the people close to me for their takes on my love for the “rockstar lifestyle, might not make it,” (Wasted, Gucci Mane).

But first, here are my theories:

1). Do these songs give voice to my desire to be more attractive while remaining classy:

       “She a good girl, but she bad so I’m confused,” Foreva, Young Dolph.

2). Perhaps these songs condone the human tendency to seek comfort in money more than people:

       “All a bad b need is the (money,)” Money, Cardi B.

3). Could it be a pursuit of the “ideal” body?

        “How your waist anorexic, but then your a is colossal?” A** (Remix), Big Sean.

4). Unalterable confidence?

        “If you sexy and you know it, clap your hands, *claps” Crush, Beat King.

The responses I got from family and friends were music to my ears (pun intended). I can’t wait to share!