Released: 2011 • Features: Lil Wayne, Tyler, The Creator
“Martians Vs Goblins” is a bold, outrageous track by The Game, featuring Lil Wayne and Tyler, The Creator. The general theme of these lyrics centers around individuality, self-expression and the defiance of societal norms frequently associated with hip-hop artists. The confrontational and controversial nature of the song amplifies the artists’ intent to shock and stand out in the hip-hop scene.
The Game’s verse is enriched with metaphorical descriptions and pop culture references that aim to provoke shock and demonstrate his searing originality. The line “Kidnap a vampire, drain all his fuckin veins,” is a hyperbolic indication of his viciousness and fearlessness in the industry. When he mentions, “Have a bonfire with old Harry Potter books,” he is symbolizing a rebellious attitude towards mainstream popular culture. The mention of Viacom, a significant media conglomerate, signifies The Game’s influential role and impact within the industry.
Tyler, The Creator’s verse is full of defiant statements and vivid imagery that further assert his nonconformist persona. His language is brimming with aggressive wordplay, as seen in lines such as “My team is running shit like we have full-cleat Adidas.” This suggests that his group, Odd Future, is dominating in their own unique and aggressive style. The line, “Fall back like Lebron’s hairline against the Mavericks” is a clever and biting reference to the NBA star LeBron James’ receding hairline, which Tyler uses to express how he thinks rivals in the hip-hop scene should yield to him.
Returning for his second verse, The Game continues to stir controversy. His line, “I spit like I had kids with Erykah Badu,” suggests that his lyrical ability is so unique and influential that it could only be created with someone as iconic as the singer Erykah Badu. He also provocatively name-drops Lebron’s mom and Delonte West in an explicit scenario, aiming to defy expectations and add to the shock value of his lyrics.
The hook, likely delivered by Lil Wayne (though he isn’t credited as such), serves to unify the verses with the recurring theme of being outsiders in the hip-hop industry and refusing to conform. The phrase “We are not the same, I am a Martian,” initially popularized by Lil Wayne, has been appropriated into hip-hop slang to imply being so innovative and unique that you’re practically from another planet. The chorus’s consistent flip between “martian” and “goblin” represents a juxtaposition of these rap personas, each claiming their unique and outlandish identity within the hip-hop universe.
