Released: 2018
“Tie My Shoes” by Future featuring Young Thug is a high-energy track that revels in the luxury and extravagance often celebrated in hip-hop culture. At its core, the song emphasizes themes of opulence, success, and loyalty while touching upon the challenges of maintaining trust and reputation in the music industry.
The hook “Tie, tie my shoes” is repeated several times throughout the song. On the surface, it seems like a simple directive, but it’s more of a metaphor for readiness and being prepared to handle whatever life throws at them. Tying shoes here can imply getting one’s affairs in order, staying grounded while living an extravagant lifestyle.
In the opening lines, Future and Young Thug both brag about riding in luxurious vehicles like Maybachs and Rolls-Royces, highlighted by the unique feature of stars on the ceiling. This visual is a metaphor for having reached the stars in terms of their success and financial status. “Pluto” is a nickname for Future, reflecting his otherworldly influence and stature in the hip-hop community.
Young Thug’s mention of paying his dues and not caring to tell the truth can be interpreted as him navigating the deceptive world of fame where the truth is often overshadowed by appearances. “I be bool” is slang for “I am cool,” borrowed from Bloods street gang vernacular where they often replace ‘C’ with ‘B’. This implies Young Thug is maintaining his calm amidst chaos.
The lyrics delve into loyalty with the line, “you wanna be slime you gotta shoot at your dog,” hinting at the cutthroat nature of the industry and personal relationships. “Slime” is a term coined by Young Thug to denote a trusted person, someone who’s down with the clique, though it controversially suggests betrayal for success.
Future continues by sharing his aspiration for wealth, likening it to his quest for skittles, emphasizing his relentless drive for luxury as depicted in wanting diamonds on his necklace. The mention of family, such as the line “thank God that my kids ain’t ever gon’ want, never need,” reveals a deeper side of his priorities despite the opulence, grounding his success in providing for loved ones.
Future uses personal anecdotes, including references to Dion Waiters, an NBA player known for his confident playing style. This aligns with Future’s self-image of being unperturbed by what others think and unapologetic about his delayed responses in personal matters. These casual nods make his larger-than-life persona relatable.
Both Future and Young Thug employ the term “King Slime,” which represents a royal status within their circles. The idea of a “clean-up crew for the blogs” is an insight into how public personas are managed to maintain a favorable image despite negative media narratives. It signifies their attempts to keep reputation and loyalty intact.
Luxury references persist with nods to expensive brands like Burberry and Gucci. These brands signify their progression from humble beginnings to opulent living, symbolizing success and social mobility. This underscores their climb from basic to lavish lifestyles, enhanced by choices in high fashion and accessories like the “Flooded the Rollie with crushed ice.”
As the song wraps up, Young Thug boasts of accomplishments and loyalty, weaving through slang and cultural references. The assertion of “Gucci slippers, I don’t run from niggas” portrays fearlessness, emphasizing their street cred and loyalty while underscoring personal growth from illicit backgrounds to industry icons.
“Tie My Shoes” is a song deeply embedded in the narrative of struggle, survival, and triumph, hallmarked by Future and Young Thug’s artistry and personal journeys. While it champions material success, it also echoes sentiments of vigilance, loyalty, and staying true amidst the allure of the music industry’s spotlight.
