☝️ Key Points
- The song 'What’s Crackin' by Pop Smoke showcases his lifestyle and experiences in street gang culture
- The song addresses the harsh reality of life on the streets, including violence, crime, and the constant presence of firearms
- Pop Smoke talks about the legal issues of his community and the time he and his friends have spent in jail
- Loyalty and the struggle to survive in a dangerous environment are important themes of the song
- Takeoff's second verse emphasizes the importance of success and perseverance
Interpretation
The song 'What's Crackin' by
Pop Smoke is a portrayal of his lifestyle and experiences in street gang culture. The title 'What's Crackin'' is a colloquial expression often used as a greeting or question about what's currently happening. The song's lyrics depict the harsh reality of street life, including violence, crime, and the constant presence of firearms, emphasized by the repeated line 'A lot of guns and automatics'. The artist also mentions the legal problems many in his community face. 'Tell my shooters call me FaceTime / 'Cause we already done faced time' refers to the time he and his friends have spent in jail. 'Free D-Nice, he doin' state time' is a direct mention of a friend currently serving a prison sentence. Pop Smoke also speaks about loyalty and the struggle to survive in a dangerous environment. 'Baby, you know I'm ridin' for my baby / One dead, two dead, yeah, we wildn' up in Macy's' shows his willingness to fight and kill for the people he loves. The lyrics also include criticism of laziness and reliance on the police, 'You ain't gettin' bread 'cause you lazy / You call the cops, then he gon' raid me'. The second verse by Takeoff, a member of the hip-hop group Migos, adds another dimension and emphasizes the importance of success and perseverance. 'Ain't no complainin' 'bout makin' a bag, boy, / You gotta get if you really want it' sends a message that hard work is necessary to be successful. Overall, 'What's Crackin'' is a raw and unfiltered look at street life and the associated challenges, but also the necessity of achieving success despite the circumstances.