Released: 2024
“Potato Loaded” by Quavo featuring Destroy Lonely, Quavo is a richly textured exploration of life on the road and the decadent lifestyle it entails. Rife with engaging references and compelling wordplay, the song paints a vibrant picture of both the allure and trials of hip-hop stardom.
The track opens with “Huh, swapping out my blicks, for a brand new dirty stick”, laying the foundation for an introspective conversation about living life in the fast lane. Here, “blicks” is slang for weapons, so Quavo is saying that he’s switching out his guns. The “dirty stick” could refer to either a gun that has been used (and thus ‘dirty’) or something he uses to fight off his obstacles or those who stand in his way.
A striking line is “Bulletproof the Maybach, president, go five percent.” The Maybach is a high-end luxury car favored by many in the hip-hop community, bulletproofing it speaks to the constant feeling of danger that comes with fame and success. The term “five percent” refers to the level of tint on car windows, which is quite dark, offering privacy and security.
As we roll into the refrain, Quavo continues to flex his wealth and lifestyle with “Blue cheese, bitch I’m loaf, section bake potato loaded”. Blue cheese is slang for money (given the bluish hue of high-denomination bills) and “loaf” is to chill or relax. The term ‘bake potato loaded’ is used to represent a bountiful life stuffed with ‘toppings’ akin to a loaded baked potato.
When he says “I keep a FN on me, it’s just right there in my tote,” he’s referencing an FN firearm, emphasizing his need for self-protection. The lyric “What you spend on your chain, I just dropped that on my coat” makes it clear the level of wealth he has attained.
Quavo also doesn’t shy away from expressing his struggles, especially in the lyrics like “I been sippin’ like too much drank, my main bitch think I’m sick.” Here, he discusses the coping strategies he uses to deal with the stresses of his public image, which may include ‘sipping’, or consuming, unhealthy amounts of lean, a codeine-based drink popular in the hip-hop community.
The song ends on a resilient note with “Ever since I was a jit, I knew I was the one, I guess I’m chose.” This speaks to a sense of destiny – Quavo always knew he would be successful and now he acknowledges how far he’s come. The word “jit” is a slang term from Southern hip-hop, often used to refer to a young, inexperienced person, showing Quavo’s humble roots.
Overall, “Potato Loaded” flexes Quavo’s wealth and success while also exploring the tensions and challenges that come with fame. With raw honesty and slick wordplay, it’s a banger that exemplifies the intersection of wealth, fame, and personal struggle in hip-hop culture.
