Released: 2015
“Flodgin'” by the artist known as “$” explores the themes of authenticity and the contempt for fake personas in both social and street contexts. Through its aggressive lyrics and dark imagery, the song conveys the artist’s disdain for those who put on a false front, with frequent references to violence as a means of calling out such behavior.
The repetitive hook, “Pistol to the head of these niggas that be actin’ fake,” underscores the song’s primary message. It vividly conveys a no-tolerance stance against inauthenticity, using the metaphor of a “pistol to the head” as a symbolic threat to those who pretend or deceive. In hip-hop, where credibility is often paramount, this expression reflects an extreme measure of maintaining integrity.
In the first verse, the lines “I want a supersized $uicide / $lick, he told me, ‘Do or die'” capture a moment of desperation and internal conflict. The reference to “suicide” is metaphorical, perhaps illustrating the extreme lengths the artist feels driven to due to the pressure of living authentically. “$lick,” presumably a figure or alter ego, seems to serve as an impetus to confront life’s struggles head-on, opting for a radical resolution rather than enduring inauthentic existence.
The artist goes on to depict a violent narrative with, “Now my bed is soaked in blood, red stuff seepin’ out my head.” Here, the blood can symbolize both literal and metaphorical battles faced by the artist, emphasizing the mental toll of constant vigilance against fake personas. It’s a stark reminder of the costs associated with navigating authenticity in challenging environments.
As the narrative unfolds, a reference to “Grey-59” suggests allegiance to a collective or movement within the subculture. It’s a detail that may align the artist with certain ideologies or practices associated with this group. Such affiliations often add a layer of credibility and communal identity within hip-hop communities, especially in counterculture circles.
In another line, “No more breath in her chest, just the sweat on her breasts,” the artist portrays a graphic scenario, which might reflect on the finality of cutting ties with inauthentic people. Although unsettling, this could symbolize the death of fake connections, necessary to maintain real ones.
Later, the lyrics “G-59, we tryna die / Fucking shine because the flame keep burning bright” express a philosophy of living intensely and possibly destructively, echoing the hip-hop tradition of confronting one’s mortality while seeking enlightenment or personal truth through this struggle. “G-59” further emphasizes this philosophy as part of a larger identity or community that resonates with such values.
With “SAMCRO with the blade, get a mayhem vote / Funny how the shade’s never thrown when you broke,” the song makes a nod to popular culture references (like “SAMCRO,” from Sons of Anarchy), aligning themes of chaos and loyalty. This illustrates the belief that the facade of support is only real when financial or material success is present, exposing opportunistic relationships.
“It’s the Yung $carecrow with the ink on my body / Got Oddy right behind me, and he gripping that Tommy” further encapsulates the self-identification of the artist, “Yung $carecrow,” through physical attributes like tattoos, linking personal branding with cultural capital. The “Tommy,” likely a reference to a Thompson submachine gun, reiterates the protection against threats from those deemed “fake.”
Ultimately, “Flodgin'” confronts themes central to hip-hop: authenticity, identity, and loyalty. The narrative delivers an unapologetic message that prioritizes realness above all, regardless of the violent or extreme imagery used. By intertwining these themes with cultural references and an aggressive delivery, the song places itself firmly in the canon of music that addresses the cost of truth and the reality of street culture.
