Released: 2021
The track “Wockesha” by Moneybagg Yo is a deep and nuanced exploration of the artist’s struggle with addiction, specifically referring to codeine cough syrup, colloquially known as “purple drank” or “lean”. This addictive substance, represented by the name ‘Wockesha’, becomes a painful love affair for the rapper. Moneybagg Yo uses the song to express his conflicted feelings about this dependence, showcasing his internal tug-of-war between knowing he needs to stop and the irresistible pull of his addiction.
The first few lines serve as a defiant declaration of his autonomy and independence, asserting that what’s in his cup is nobody else’s business. All the while, he acknowledges that his use of the substance has only made him more popular, suggesting the twisted role of drugs in the world of hip-hop. The name ‘Wockesha’ is a play on both the nickname for codeine (“Wock”) and the name ‘Keisha’ – which in hip-hop often refers to an alluring yet destructive woman.
The verse ‘Withdrawals, I’m feelin’ different, every day I need a dose’ vividly captures his physical dependence on the substance. It details the withdrawal symptoms he experiences when he tries to distance himself. Further, phrases like ‘I got my times when I go ghost’ and ‘Thumbin’ through a hunnid thou’, I spent that times two on you’ reflect his periodic attempts to escape this addictive cycle and the financial costs.
The chorus, ‘One minute I’m done with you, the next one I be runnin’ back’ encapsulates the recurring struggle of an addict – the constant cycle of giving in and trying to quit. The line ‘Tryna find my answers with this cup, but ain’t no truth in that’ is a powerful admission of futile escapism, while ‘I’m sittin’ here knowing I don’t need ya pouring O’s in the lid’ speaks of his awareness of the harmful effects of the substance.
The line ‘she my therapist, I’ma talk to this cup’ personifies the drink as a silent listener, a source of solace. However, the verses ‘I can’t get my mind off Wockesha’ and ‘Watch me put my heart in this cup’ emphasize the emotional attachment and destructive reliance, while ‘This shit toxic’ is a straightforward recognition of the dangerous reality.
Concluding with the repetition of the chorus, ‘Wockesha’ ends with no resolution, reflecting the ongoing battle that many addicts face. Moneybagg Yo’s raw honesty about his struggle offers a grimly poetic rendering of addiction’s realities, harnessing the power of hip-hop to raise awareness and encourage discussions about these issues in the broader community.
