Released: 2022
“Beat the Odds” by Lil Tjay is an unfiltered glance into the rapper’s journey of resilience against the adversities he faced. The lyrics showcase his struggle and the tough life he confronted, and also harps on the relentless determination that kept him going, the constant fear of danger in his environment, and his struggle with his inner demons.
The opening lines introduce listeners to the spectrum of Tjay’s experiences. When he raps, “Grateful for the shit I got ’cause I come from a hard life,” he’s acknowledging his humble beginnings while appreciating his current wealth and success. His hardships shaped him, and the gratitude is palpable.
Lines like “Demons on my mental, saw some shit I wanna archive” speak volumes about his mental health struggles but he also wants to remember these experiences, to not forget where he came from. The line “Feds lookin’ out tryna bring a nigga down” brings forward the constant scrutiny that comes with his lifestyle, and the systemic oppression often faced by African Americans.
His verses do a deep dive into his survival instinct, he keeps himself armed because of the risks that come with his newfound success, “always keep my gun ’round.” His constant reminders to himself about his struggle, praying he doesn’t lose it all, encapsulates the precarious nature of a come up in the rap industry.
When Tjay drops lines like “Shittin’ on these niggas be my hobby” and “Seen bullets hit an opp, before he died, his face said, ‘Why me?’,” he’s unapologetically asserting his dominance in the game, straight-up displaying a grittier aspect of his persona and the harsh realities of street violence.
His critique of the media in “Can someone tell the vlogs, ‘Get off of my D’?” suggests an exhaustion with the constant spotlight and scrutiny of his life. The line “‘Cause I ain’t Dummy, Rah, U.E, or Woo Lotti” is a firm assertion of his individuality and refusal to be categorized or compared to other rappers.
Overall, “Beat the Odds” is a potent representation of Lil Tjay’s life, a life marked by struggle, survival instinct, and his rise to stardom. The track is soaked in the sweat of his hustle, the veracity of his words reflecting an authentic resilience that shapes his journey and his art.
