Released: 2023 • Features: Kodak Black
“HVN ON EARTH” finds Lil Tecca teaming up with the one and only Kodak Black, as they provide an introspective lens into their lives, dealing with the fast pace and high demands of their careers.
The track expertly brings together their relentless work ethic, struggles and sacrifices, and touches on their relationships with women, in an imaginative framework that elevates heaven to a metaphorical construct.
Lil Tecca’s verses and chorus speak on his hustle, his detractors, and a woman who he has a strong connection with. When Tecca raps, “I never had the time to make a way / I only had the time to make a play,” he’s referring to his single-minded focus on his music and his career.
The HTC acronym is repeated throughout the song, and while it might initially seem like a derogatory term towards women, it actually stands for Heaven On Earth, alluding to a special woman who offers solace and peace amidst a chaotic life.
When Tecca says, “Got ’85 Undercovers on my ass,” he’s referring to law enforcement trying to pin crimes on him due to his new-found fame and success. The paranoia of being observed or entrapped is a recurring theme in rap, particularly for artists who have a history in rough neighborhoods.
Kodak Black’s verse takes a more violent and assertive turn, a stark contrast to Tecca’s relatively mild-mannered style. The lyrics, “Every time I see her, shawty got on tights / Rain hit my wrist, water turn to ice” signify his attraction to women and his wealth.
His lines, “If you play, you lay, I’ma take your life / I’m a killer, so don’t push me,” point towards his street-hardened past and the lengths he’ll go to protect his status and wealth. He follows this with, “I ain’t cheat the grind, look where it took me,” acknowledging his hard work led him to where he is today.
In another line, Kodak raps, “I’ve been two years out the feds / And I still been gettin’ niggas pluckered.” The term ‘pluckered’ is colloquial slang often used in rap, representing the forced submission or defeat of opponents.
Lil Tecca’s ingenious outro, with the hook repeating “H.O.E, H.O.E / Heaven on earth,” circles back to the main theme of the song and ties it all together. It showcases the stark contrast between the turbulent life he lives and the peace he finds – his Heaven On Earth.
In all, “HVN ON EARTH” offers a compelling blend of gritty reality and thoughtful contemplation, in a bid to underscore the importance of finding peace and solace amidst turbulence and chaos.
