Released: 2021
Trippie Redd’s song “Matt Hardy 999” featuring Juice WRLD is a brash, audacious track that revolves around themes of wealth, bravado, and indulgence. The lyrics portray a lifestyle fueled by materialism and aggression, capturing a sense of youthful exuberance mixed with reckless abandon. Each verse drips with confidence, boasting about financial gains, street credibility, and lavish escapades.
The song kicks off with an introduction by Trippie Redd that sets the tone for the rest of the track. With a shout-out to ‘Big 14’, a nod to his 1400 gang affiliation, Trippie Redd declares an endless supply of money and hints at the imminent action of spending it frivolously. This intro primes listeners for the forthcoming flex about wealth and the audacious lifestyle that the lyrics go on to detail.
Trippie opens the first verse celebrating his wealth with “a million bands today”, expressing intent to “blow them bands today,” essentially planning to spend his earnings recklessly. ‘Bands’ here refer to large sums of money, wrapped in stacks, and ‘blow’ conveys the act of spending. This line illustrates an extravagant, carefree attitude towards financial wealth, reflective of many in the hip-hop community who celebrate their successes.
In continuing the verse, Trippie Redd expresses a ‘bad mood’ and uses vivid imagery of violence with references to firearms, likening himself to a character from the video game “Ratchet & Clank”. Such references to guns are a recurring trope in hip-hop, often serving as symbols of power and protection, and the idea of “dumping” is slang for shooting or attacking.
Further, Trippie introduces themes of theft and dominance in his narrative, threatening to rob others. He identifies with a group of “gravediggers” – suggesting those around him are deadly and have been hardened by a grim past. His use of the metaphor “chains on me, no slave, nigga” alludes to both literal chains (jewelry) and a rejection of subjugation.
Trippie’s aggression peaks with a shocking line that invokes the Ku Klux Klan, painting a stark picture of retaliation against those who cross him. Such lines, although provocative and unsettling, are crafted to reflect a menacing aura and a no-tolerance approach to opposition, which some artists use to emphasize street authenticity and invulnerability.
The following lyrics take a more celebratory tone, detailing opulent party scenes and encounters with women. Trippie casually refers to expensive cars like the ‘Rari (Ferrari), reiterating his wealth and his dismissive, indulgent approach to relationships and life, drawing imagery from both popular culture and video games.
Juice WRLD, with his unique style, continues with similar themes. Although Juice’s part is short in the song, his delivery complements Trippie Redd’s aggressive verses. The blend of their voices paints a vivid picture of a lifestyle brimming with indulgence and the pressure of maintaining their statuses in the hip-hop hierarchy.
Juice uses iconic imagery in his lines, from wrestling moves “jumping off the top rope” to pop culture references like “iCarly,” mixing humor with bravado. This fusion not only adds a playful aspect but also demonstrates the integration of diverse influences in modern hip-hop.
The song ultimately captures the high-octane essence of modern rap culture, embodying the exaggerated personas artists often craft. The blending of Trippie Redd’s fierce energy and Juice WRLD’s creative lyricism portrays a snapshot of their respective outlooks on wealth, fame, and power.
In sum, “Matt Hardy 999” is emblematic of its era – with its unrestrained flaunting of riches and rebellion against authority – capturing the chaos and charisma that have become signature elements in hip-hop. Trippie Redd and Juice WRLD masterfully weave together references from their realities, adding to the broader tapestry of the genre’s narrative.
