Released: 2024
Ice Spice’s “Popa” paints a vivid picture of her ascent from humble beginnings to the lavish lifestyle she enjoys now. The track’s central theme revolves around self-empowerment, the elevation of status, and a confident embrace of her success and desirability. Through clever wordplay and vivid imagery, she showcases a juxtaposition between her past and present life while addressing the critics and haters along the way.
Right from the start, the song kicks off with a catchy beat produced by RIOT. This sets a lively tone for the track. The phrase “Uh-uh” seems like a playful introduction to what’s coming next, serving as an audible marker for listeners to prepare for her confident narrative.
The hook highlights her rise from the “hood” to becoming “super lit,” a colloquial term for achieving great success and living a lavish lifestyle. Her “diamonds keep on dancin’,” suggesting that she wears sparkling, expensive jewelry, further reinforcing the transformation from her previous circumstances to her current affluent state.
She refers to someone with a “stupid wrist,” likely indicating a person wearing expensive jewelry in a showy or over-the-top manner. The lines here underscore the rapper’s cool demeanor and the way she’s unfazed by others who attempt to bring her down. Calling herself a “cooler bitch” signifies a sense of superiority and confidence.
Ice Spice continues to use the phrase “cool lil’ bitch,” as a playful declaration of her laid-back but commanding presence. When she talks about “just me on the plane and the stewardess,” she’s emphasizing her independence and exclusive lifestyle—able to afford private flights, with only her and the airline staff onboard.
The mention of “breesh,” a slang term for money, suggests she has wealth and is pondering what to do with it. This is further developed by “munchin’ on that popa like it’s food in it,” where ‘popa’ could symbolize an opulent lifestyle she’s indulging in, much like eating something delicious.
In her line “skin the color coca, put his nose in,” Ice Spice alludes to her skin tone and sexual allure, likening her presence to a captivating drug that people get ‘hooked’ on. When she tells someone she loves them and adds that she’s “trollin’,” it indicates her playfulness and perhaps her reluctance to get emotionally attached.
Lines like “I was chosen” reflect her belief in her destiny and right to success, a sentiment echoed in many hip-hop songs where artists highlight overcoming adversity. Telling a critic to “drop a pin, we ain’t bowlin'” suggests she challenges them to a confrontation but knows they’re not up to the task, adding another layer of bravado.
She mentions a “bad bitch, she my twin like the Olsens,” a clever reference to the famous twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. It reinforces her solidarity with those who are on the same level of fame and style, creating an imagery of opulence and shared elite status.
Overall, Ice Spice’s “Popa” is a testament to self-assurance, success, and the trappings that come with newfound fame. By addressing naysayers and illustrating her achievements, she continues the rich tradition of self-praise and boasting in hip-hop, celebrating personal victory and enjoying every moment of her rise to stardom. The recurring themes of wealth, status, and confidence are skillfully weaved throughout the lyrics, offering listeners both entertainment and a powerful statement on achieving dreams despite obstacles.
