Released: 2019
Label: Atlantic Records
Featuring: Gunna, Lil Durk, Meek Mill, Mustard, Ty Dolla $ign, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
Compton-bred MC and melodic crooner Roddy Ricch served up his debut studio album, “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial,” in 2019 under the Atlantic Records label. The album is a potent concoction of Roddy’s hallmark trap-soaked beats and gritty narratives steeped in his experiences from the streets to the spotlight. The 16-track project boasts a star-studded guest list with features from the likes of Gunna, Lil Durk, Meek Mill, Mustard, Ty Dolla $ign and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. An audacious juxtaposition of defiance and self-awareness, opulence and introspection, love and luxury, the album became a benchmark for Ricch’s successful foray into the hip-hop scene. From the rebellious spirit punctuated in “The Box” to the unfiltered reflection on survival in “War Baby”, this album unfolds Ricch’s journey with raw authenticity. So let’s get into it. From Compton’s gritty streets to the zenith of hip-hop royalty, here we are breaking down the album “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial” by “Roddy Ricch”.
1 Intro
A classic intro setting the tone for what’s to come.
2 The Box
With lines like “Pullin’ out the coupe at the lot / Told ’em fuck 12, fuck SWAT,” Ricch blends defiance with a declaration of freedom. His storytelling weaves through successes and struggles, embodying the hustler’s spirit. A standout line, “I won’t never sell my soul, and I can back that,” serves as a powerful vow of integrity amidst a world full of temptations and challenges. This track, with its catchy beat and memorable hook, encapsulates Ricch’s journey from the streets of Compton to the top of the music world, offering listeners a glimpse into the grind and determination that define him.
3 Start Wit Me
Features: Gunna
Roddy sets the tone with confident declarations about his weaponry and wealth, while Gunna continues the narrative, emphasizing their success despite their gritty beginnings. The standout line, “Clip got 33, Scottie Pippen,” uses clever wordplay to reference both firepower and famed persistence, encapsulating the song’s blend of aggression and opulence. It’s a testament to their climb from the streets to the charts, with a clear message: they’re not to be trifed with.
4 Perfect Time
Through verses steeped in visuals of luxury and escape, Ricch doesn’t shy away from the dark realities that accompany success, notably trust issues and the ephemeral nature of relationships in the limelight. A standout line, “Peanut butter seats came perfect time / Rich but I’m still ducking one time,” encapsulates the duality of enjoying the fruits of one’s labor while navigating the dangers that threaten to undermine it.
5 Moonwalkin
Features: Lil Durk
The imagery throughout the song plays with opulence, desire, and status, encapsulating the essence of their version of success. This line stands out for encapsulating the track’s celebration of excess and control, all while paying homage to one of pop culture’s greatest icons in a way that’s as smooth as the moonwalk itself.
6 Big Stepper
Evoking the legacy of infamous figures like Big Meech, Ricch portrays his journey from the mud to the stars, both literally and figuratively. With lines like “I was taught to go and get it straight up out the mud, lil’ nigga,” he encapsulates the raw determination and resilience that fuel his rise. The track is a braggadocious narrative that swings between the highs of luxury and the lows of a past marred by violence and survival, a testament to Ricch’s complex persona and the dualities of the hustle.
7 God’s Eyes
Through gripping verses, he reflects on the illusory happiness that wealth promises and the reality of its limitations, “He thought the money make you happy, It don’t make you different.” This line strikes hard, encapsulating the song’s essence by exposing the falsehood of material fulfillment. Ricch’s journey from the mud to the penthouse, his encounters with betrayal, and his unapologetic stance on life’s hardships culminate in a raw portrayal of resilience. Highlighting his connection to the streets and his dialogue with the divine, he underscores a powerful message: true vision and strength come from overcoming life’s obstacles, as seen through “God’s eyes.”
8 Peta
Features: Meek Mill
Swerving through themes of wealth, power, and resilience, Ricch and Meek lay out a narrative rich with the spoils of success and the controversies that tag along, notably their flamboyant defiance of conventional norms, as evidenced by Ricch’s line, “I’m rocking furs on furs (furs), I’m probably beefing with PETA.” This bar speaks volumes of their unapologetic lifestyle, where luxury is not just an accessory but a statement against criticism, embodying the essence of their journey from the streets to the zenith of rap royalty.
9 Boom Boom Room
With lines like “I remember wonderin’ when I’m gon’ eat / Pull up the Bentley with no key,” he highlights his transition from hunger to opulence, signaling a victory over adversity. The track’s refrain, “Fast car make vroom, vroom, vroom / Take her to the boom boom room,” not only celebrates material success but also Ricch’s strategic moves in life and the music industry, underlining his journey from dreaming to doing.
10 Elyse’s Skit
The skit humorously captures a moment of generational disconnect, where an elder can’t help but groove to the beats of “Ballin'” despite their reservations about the “inappropriate music.” It’s a testament to the infectious nature of Ricch’s work, and how it transcends boundaries, becoming an earworm even for those who might not fit into his expected fan demographic.
11 High Fashion
Features: Mustard
Spinning a smooth narrative clothed in luxury and love, accentuating the blend of wealth, style, and romantic interest. In these bars, Ricch lavishes his girl with the finest—Goyard, G-Wagons, and cold-hearted diamonds—all affirming his readiness to spoil and prioritize her. A standout line, “I put some ice on you ’cause you got a cold heart,” illustrates the duality of affection and material wealth, crafting a picture of a relationship that’s as much about emotional warmth as it is about the cold shimmer of success. This track exemplifies the rapper’s ability to navigate the complexities of love and luxury, underpinned by Mustard’s unmistakable beat, grounding the song in an undeniably hip-hop atmosphere.
12 Bacc Seat
Features: Ty Dolla $ign
The collaboration between these two artists brings to life the hedonistic thrill of a relationship fueled by desire and materialism, underscored by Ricch’s smooth verses and Ty Dolla $ign’s unmistakable vocal charisma. A standout line that encapsulates the raw energy and straightforward intentions of the song is, “We gon’ fuck for an hour then we gon’ move to the back seat,” highlighting the unapologetic directness and the pursuit of pleasure that defines their connection.
13 Roll Dice
The song resonates with anyone familiar with the gamble of street life, where every move feels like a bet against fate. Ricch’s narrative evokes a vivid picture of overcoming adversity, punctuated by the line, “Been through strife, my heart is cold as ice,” highlighting his icy resolve in the face of challenges. The melody serves as a backdrop for tales of hardship, survival, and the relentless pursuit of success, encapsulating the essence of hustle and the sheer willpower to rise above.
14 Prayers to the Trap God
With lyrics that paint a vivid picture of life’s harsh realities, Ricch doesn’t just rap; he tells the tale of a life many know but few survive. Standout lines like “A lot of my family members got got / My uncle looked the police in his eyes and he got shot” hit with the force of lived experience, melding personal loss with the collective trauma of those entangled in the trap’s grip. It’s a prayer not just for survival, but for understanding, painting a picture far removed from the glorified narratives often associated with trap life. Ricch’s storytelling prowess elevates the song into a poignant reflection on the choices made and the consequences endured, all while holding onto a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, the Trap God is listening.
15 Tip Toe
Features: A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
The track’s lyrical depth is matched by its head-nodding beat, capturing the tension between striving in the hood and the glamorous yet perilous lifestyle success brings. A standout line, “Rose gold Rollie on a nigga put the whole damn hood on,” not only flaunts achievements but also nods to the responsibility and influence that comes with elevation. It’s this blend of bravado and introspection that makes the song resonate deeply within the hip-hop ethos.
16 War Baby
Through vivid lyrics, Ricch recounts the trials of emerging from the harsh realities of life in the projects to achieve success, all while grappling with the haunting specters of violence and loss. A standout line, “I know the worst conditions make a champion,” encapsulates the song’s essence, serving as a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Ricch’s storytelling is a raw, unfiltered ode to the struggles that shape us, making “War Baby” a poignant reflection on the cost of survival.
