Released: 2018 • Features: Skepta
“Lean 4 Real” by Playboi Carti, featuring Skepta, is a drug-induced exploration of the high life, where opulence and addiction coexist. The song delves into the artists’ excessive lifestyles populated by lean (a recreational drug concoction), luxury, and a recklessness cultivated from their ascension to the top echelons of the hip-hop industry.
The chorus, “I’m on ’em beans for real / I’m on the lean for real,” uses popular drug references as a confession of substance misuse. “Beans” commonly refers to ecstasy pills, while “Lean,” also known as ‘purple drank’, comprises prescription-strength cough syrup, soda, and often a Jolly Rancher for sweetness. Carti doesn’t shy away from his substance use — rather, he presents it as integral to his lifestyle.
Moving to the first verse, Playboi Carti conveys his opulence with lines like, “That bag loaded, yeah / Got it all the time.” Here, “bag” functions as a double entendre, representing both his wealth and his supply of drugs. When he mentions “Nickelodeon, yeah / Way I got that slime,” he’s likely comparing his lean, often a purple or green color, to the iconic green slime used on the children’s TV network, Nickelodeon. Carti’s persistent display of wealth continues with his boast, “Oh yeah, diamond wetter than your boo,” suggesting his jewelry outshines your significant other.
Skepta’s verse tells a similar narrative. A key line is, “Had to go Super Saiyan,” referencing a powerful form in the anime Dragon Ball Z, metaphorically suggesting his rise to power and fame. The line “This a computer game / GTA,” signifies the dangerous, reckless lifestyle Skepta leads and equates it to the chaos of the popular video game, Grand Theft Auto.
The repeated chorus, reinforcing their substance use, creates a hypnotic cycle similar to the insatiable craving and repetitive nature of addiction, anchoring “Lean 4 Real” in the gritty realities of the high life. While a casual listen may simply render it a nod to the party lifestyle, a deeper dive reveals a critique of the toxic cocktail of wealth, fame, and substance abuse in the rap scene.
