Released: 2020 • Features: Lil Baby, DaBaby
In “For The Night,” the late Pop Smoke and collaborators Lil Baby and DaBaby craft a narrative spotlighting the unpredictable and often precarious nights they’ve had throughout their journey to stardom. The track embodies a sense of transience, danger, and the pursuit of opulence, tied to their lifestyle choices. They depict their hard-knock lives, hinting at norm-breaking relationships, luxury lifestyle, and violent tales.
The track kicks off with Pop Smoke setting the stage: “What do you want? Won’t tell you twice, yeah / I’m a thief in the night (thief in the night), oh.” Declaring himself as a ‘thief in the night’ implies a sense of stealth and subtlety, a nod to his former street life where discretion was key for survival. Additionally, it denotes the fleeting nature of his relationships mentioning his lovers as ‘bae’ for the day or night, indicating no intention for commitment and a typical bachelor lifestyle.
Lil Baby takes over the second verse, illustrating his rags-to-riches journey: “I’m rich but I’m ridin’ and I’m low on exotic / I’m ’bout to fly out and go get me some.” He portrays a picture of affluence and luxury, mentioning travel and expensive cars, yet simultaneously keeps it grounded with the acknowledgement of his humble origins and the continuous threats from rivals.
The verse ends on a somber note, with Lil Baby paying respect to Pop Smoke who was tragically murdered: “C.I.P Pop, I wish that you could see us” reinforcing the underlying theme of danger in their lifestyle. This line hits the listeners, reminding us of the context in which the song sits, and the unfortunate reality of life and death within the music industry.
DaBaby delivers the third verse with brash confidence. He discloses his penchant for luxury while expressing a ‘night owl’ lifestyle: “I pull up in the Porsche wit’ a freaky hoe (zoom) / Park the Porsche and pull up in a Lambo’ (hmph).” His verse is a testament to his ascent, painting a picture of relentless hustle and eventual triumph.
A touch of violence is also brought up as he likens himself to Rambo: “Think she cute, make her fuck, watch her man go (she cute) / Like to shoot, light you up, bitch, I’m Rambo.” His willingness to resort to violence, reinforced by his tactical competency, is depicted as part and parcel of his lifestyle and the overall hip-hop narrative.
Overall, “For The Night” vividly portrays the trio’s lavish and dangerous lifestyle in the world of hip-hop, bringing under the spotlight the comparative realities seeping into their nocturnal exploits. The combination of luxury, impermanence, and danger paints a vivid portrait of the state of the industry, its allure, and the harsh realities that come with it.
