Released: 2021
Key Glock’s “Something Bout Me” paints a picture of an assertive and confident artist who’s comfortable in his own skin. The song focuses on his lavish lifestyle, his hustler mentality, and his indifference towards detractors. Through a mix of boastful language and clever wordplay, he reinforces his image as a self-made and fearless individual in the hip-hop world.
Right from the get-go, Key Glock grabs the listener’s attention with his emphatic delivery, almost like an announcement. The repeated “let me tell you niggas lil’ somethin’ ’bout me” is his personal hook, asserting that he is about to reveal personal insights into his life and character. This line sets the tone for the entire track as he unapologetically lays out the key aspects of his persona.
The first verse reveals his penchant for luxury cars and firearms. He states that he owns nine cars that don’t need a key, which likely implies the use of modern keyless start vehicles, aligning with the themes of wealth and status. Having a “Glock on my side” and riding “through the streets” is emblematic of the traditional hip-hop bravado, reflecting a readiness for any conflict while simultaneously living life in the fast lane. The “need for speed” phrase might also nod to both his urgency in chasing wealth and his interest in fast cars.
Glock’s disdain for law enforcement is evidenced by the line “I don’t fuck with pigs, but I still eat beef.” Here, “pigs” is a slang term for police officers, and “beef” serves a dual meaning, both literally as food and figuratively representing conflict. This cleverly encapsulates a common sentiment in hip-hop of anti-authoritarianism while embracing confrontation or competition with rivals.
When Glock mentions “young niggas masked up like we from the Middle East,” he’s referencing the image of Middle Eastern insurgents often depicted wearing face coverings. In his context, it’s a metaphor for his crew’s readiness and stealth. However, the statement also indicates a street mentality, with his team being prepared to spin the block—a slang for revisiting a location, typically to confront or retaliate.
Key Glock’s confidence radiates in the following lines, likening the sound of his “chopper” to TLC’s music, using “chopper” as slang for an automatic firearm. His mention of chains sounding like bells on him continues the theme of flaunting wealth. Meanwhile, when he refers to himself as a “P-I-M-P,” he’s adopting the swagger and control associated with a pimp’s reputation.
The metaphor “snub-nose revolver in my pocket, I shoot like Scottie Pippen” pairs a type of handgun with a renowned NBA player known for his precision, symbolizing Glock’s accurate and no-nonsense approach. He further emphasizes financial independence by mentioning owning his vehicles outright instead of leasing. The clear disdain for “tricking,” which means spending on women unnecessarily, aligns with the trope of self-reliance.
Throughout the song, money remains a constant theme, personified as calling out to Glock, urging him to earn and spend lavishly. The line “just left Wafi and I spent 250” highlights both his success and the careless attitude towards substantial spending, with Wafi being a reference to a luxury jeweler known in hip-hop circles. Despite the casual nature of these lines, they hint at deeper cultural ties to showing status through possessions.
In a boastful but straightforward manner, Glock continues to stress his autonomy, describing himself as “self-made,” a sentiment proudly voiced without having “an OG”—or original gangster, typically an elder or mentor in the streets. This reaffirms his narrative of self-sufficiency and grit. His readiness to educate on financial matters “show you how to stack it, show you how to flip it” reveals his street hustle ethos—turning small profits into larger gains, echoing business savvy intertwined with street smarts.
Concluding the track, the chorus ties back into the introduction. Reiterating his independence, vehicle prowess, and disdain for adversaries and authority, he draws the listener back to the core tenets of his identity. Historically, “Something Bout Me” follows the traditional elements of braggadocious hip-hop while blending in Glock’s personal flair and unapologetic storytelling. His lyrical content upholds the longstanding themes of self-empowerment, defiance, and opulence inherent in the genre.