Released: 2019
Griselda’s “Chef Dreds” is a hard-hitting track that flexes their street credibility while interspersing details about their high-life hustling in the world of hip-hop. This is a vivid picture of how their past street life intertwines with present success, telling cautionary tales while embracing the spoils of their well-earned triumphs.
“Chef Dreds” opens with a shower of bullets, a common metaphor Griselda uses for expressing their ruthless lyrical prowess. The phrase “everybody duckin”, combined with mentions of gunfire, roots us in street warfare and dangerous escapades. The reference to a Royce hints at their current elevated status, juxtaposing it against their tough beginnings, a classic theme in hip-hop symbolising triumph over adversity.
With the line “Halos over Palm Angels, watch for Lucifer”, they’re using religious imagery to depict the constant struggle between good and evil, a plunge into deep street philosophies where life is a balance of divine and devilish decisions. Meanwhile, “Puffin’ gelato, chillin’, givin’ game to my youngin'” is a classic mentor stance as they pass on street wisdom to the next generation.
The chorus goes heavy on the braggadocio, flaunting their street glory and luxe life with lines like “you know the wheels got the big Bs” and “3500 my sneakers, you can’t get these”. “Big Bs” refers to Bentley, a symbol of wealth and success, while “3500 my sneakers” is about the price tag of designer shoes, another emblem of affluence.
Moving to the next verse, Griselda paints a vivid picture of their hustle in the lyrical kitchen with lines like “last time I cooked up, I wore a poncho”. This ‘cooking up’ refers to writing lyrics or crafting a beat, but also doubles as street lingo for cooking crack, blending artistry and street survival skills.
Griselda closes the track with an assertive declaration of their prowess in the verse “We the upper echelon of the hard rappers”. The rawness of their lyricism, combined with a hardened attitude, demarcates them as elites in the hip-hop world. With the line “Came with a forklift, ah, we made niggas bosses”, they highlight their influence and the path to progress they’ve carved out for others, strengthening their status in the game.
“Chef Dreds” is a celebration of Griselda’s gritty past, present success, and lasting impact in the world of hip-hop. It’s a bracing reminder that their indelible mark on this genre stems from a blend of raw lyricism, unabashed authenticity, and the transforming power of their journey from the streets to the stardom.
