Act Up

"Act Up" is a defiant and unapologetic anthem of female empowerment, materialism, and sexual liberation from the perspective of the City Girls. The core meaning of the song revolves around establishing dominance in social and romantic settings, primarily through financial and sexual prowess. To 'act up' is a slang term meaning to misbehave or cause a scene, and in the context of the song, it serves as a warning to anyone—competing women or undesirable men—who might challenge their status. The lyrics explicitly detail a transactional worldview where the protagonists leverage their sexuality to extract wealth from rich men. They are not passive recipients but active agents who will 'fuck you 'til you ain't one' if you're a rich man, and won't give broke men the time of day. This has been interpreted as a form of 'women's justice' or a 'scamming aesthetic,' subverting traditional gender roles by placing women in a position of financial and sexual control. The song is a celebration of a specific lifestyle: one of luxury (Birkin bags, Gucci), confidence, and a tight-knit female circle, while simultaneously shunning 'fakeness' and weakness in others.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a bold declaration of female autonomy, materialism, and sexual empowerment, delivered with an unapologetic and confrontational attitude. The protagonists, JT and Yung Miami, present themselves as 'real ass bitches' who are uninterested in men who cannot financially support their lavish lifestyles. They describe themselves as women who carry expensive 'Big Birkin bags' capable of holding 'five, six figures,' signaling their high standards and association with wealth. The lyrics detail a transactional approach to relationships, where they engage with 'scammin' ass, rich ass' men. There's a clear sense of exclusivity and loyalty within their own social circle, as they state, 'Same group of bitches, ain't no adding to the picture.'

The song further explores themes of physical enhancement and self-investment for the purpose of attraction and, ultimately, financial gain. The line, 'Drop a couple racks, watch this ass get bigger,' directly links cosmetic surgery to the financial support they expect from men. The term 'Act up' serves as a recurring threat and a central theme, a warning that they will retaliate or cause a scene if challenged. This phrase is directed at other women ('dirty ass baby girl you need to back up') and men who don't meet their standards. They express disdain for 'fake ass hoes' with imitation clothing and jewelry, positioning themselves as authentic and superior.

Yung Miami's verse continues this narrative, emphasizing her ability to attract and control men, even those already in relationships. She describes how she can make a man 'buy me Gucci if I ask for it' and asserts her desirability by claiming other girls' younger siblings want to be like her or be with her. She reinforces the idea that she will not entertain a man without money ('He can't come around without that cabbage').

JT’s verse amplifies these sentiments, presenting a more aggressive and predatory perspective on these transactional relationships. She boasts about her prowess, claiming her intimacy is so good she can turn a rich man broke ('If your ass a rich nigga, I'mma fuck you 'til you ain't one'). She demands not just wealth but a willingness to spend it on her ('Give a fuck what a nigga got if he ain't giving it'). The lyrics are filled with vivid, raunchy imagery, comparing her allure to 'Lifesaver' candy and her performance in bed to a 'hammer.' The verse culminates in a direct challenge to other women, stating that if their man is ignoring them, it's because he's with her. The repeated chorus, 'Act up, you can get snatched up,' functions as the song's core message: challenging them comes with swift and decisive consequences, whether it's losing a man or facing a direct confrontation.

"Act Up" was released in 2018 as part of the City Girls' debut studio album, Girl Code, and was later pushed as the album's second single on March 27, 2019. The song was produced by Earl on the Beat, who aimed to create his 'own wave of some twerk shit,' drawing some inspiration from Juvenile's classic 'Back That Ass Up' but with a modern trap feel. He built the beat around a playful xylophone melody, a simple bassline, and hard-hitting trap drums, including cowbells and shakers to create a bounce effect.

A significant part of the song's history is the controversy and discussion surrounding its authorship. It was revealed in an April 2019 interview that rapper Lil Yachty, a fellow Quality Control labelmate, wrote the majority of the song. Lil Yachty, whose real name is Miles McCollum, is credited as a songwriter alongside JT (Jatavia Johnson) and the producer, Earl on the Beat (Isaac Bynum). Yachty stated he wrote the entire song except for JT's final verse after Earl played him the beat and suggested he write something for the City Girls. He explained his process by saying, 'I know them personally, and I know what women like to hear. What's some like, raunchy shit? I just started saying it'. This revelation sparked considerable debate among fans, though JT later defended the song, stating that many great songs are written by other people and that the song's impact as a 'culture shift' is what truly matters. Lil Yachty later revealed he earned a 'seven-figure check' for his songwriting contribution. The music video was released on May 30, 2019, and notably features Lil Yachty playing a news anchor, but does not feature JT, as she was serving a prison sentence for credit card fraud at the time.

The song's central metaphor is the phrase 'Act Up,' which symbolizes rebellion against expected female behavior and a direct challenge to social norms. It's a verbal assertion of power, warning others not to cross a line lest they face consequences.

• Birkin Bag: The 'Big Birkin bag' that can hold 'five, six figures' is a direct symbol of wealth, status, and success. It's not just a fashion accessory but a trophy of the lifestyle they demand and a measure of the men they associate with.
• Tigger Stripes: The line 'Stripes on my ass so he call this pussy Tigger' uses a playful, almost childish cartoon reference to create a vivid and sexual image, metaphorically branding her body as something desirable and uniquely marked.
• Lifesaver: JT calls her anatomy a 'Lifesaver' because it's 'pussy sweet, pussy tight.' This metaphor frames her sexuality as something that is not only pleasurable but almost essential or life-sustaining to the men she is with, reinforcing its high value.
• Scamming: The repeated references to 'scammin'' function as a metaphor for subverting the patriarchal system. Instead of being exploited, the City Girls are the exploiters, 'scamming' rich men for their own gain. This represents a radical reclaiming of power in relationships.

The predominant emotional tone of "Act Up" is one of aggressive confidence, defiance, and unapologetic self-assuredness. It's a celebratory anthem that exudes a powerful, almost combative energy. This atmosphere is meticulously crafted through its various elements. The lyrics are boastful and confrontational, establishing a clear hierarchy with the City Girls at the top. The vocal delivery is sharp and assertive, lacking any hint of vulnerability or doubt. The fast-paced, hard-hitting trap beat from producer Earl on the Beat, with its heavy bass and prominent snares, provides an intense and energetic sonic foundation that encourages physical movement and a feeling of power. There are no significant emotional shifts; the song maintains its high-energy, confrontational stance from beginning to end, creating a consistent landscape of defiant joy and empowerment.

"Act Up" had a massive cultural impact upon its release, becoming a defining summer anthem and a viral sensation. Its success was significantly amplified by the #ActUpChallenge on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where users created videos dancing and acting out the song's defiant lyrics. The song peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the Rhythmic Songs chart, making it the City Girls' highest-charting single. In April 2021, the song was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, making it the highest certified song by a female rap group in history, surpassing legends like Salt-N-Pepa. Its influence extended to other artists; the track was notably sampled in Megan Thee Stallion's 2019 hit "Hot Girl Summer," further cementing its status as a cultural touchstone of that era. Despite, or perhaps because of, the controversy surrounding Lil Yachty's songwriting role, the song became a major topic of conversation in hip-hop. JT has referred to the song as a 'culture shift,' arguing that it ushered in a new era for 'ratchet girl rap' and deserved more critical acclaim for its impact.

The rhyme scheme in "Act Up" is straightforward and effective, typical of the trap genre, often relying on couplets (AABB) and simple end rhymes to maintain a strong, driving momentum. For example, in the opening lines, 'nigga' rhymes with 'figures' and 'Tigger,' followed by 'picture' rhyming with 'bigger' and 'nigga.' This simple structure makes the lyrics easy to follow and chant along to. The rhymes are often perfect rhymes ('hoes'/'clothes') which add to the blunt, direct nature of the delivery.

The rhythm is defined by a fast-paced, steady 4/4 time signature and a tempo around 97 BPM, though some analyses place it higher. The lyrical rhythm, or the rappers' flow, is synchronized tightly with the beat's hi-hats and snares. The delivery is syncopated, with the rappers often placing emphasis just before or after the beat, creating the characteristic 'bounce' of the track. This rhythmic interplay between the vocals and the instrumental is crucial to the song's energetic and danceable quality, making it a quintessential 'twerk anthem'.

"Act Up" employs several stylistic techniques to achieve its confrontational and high-energy tone.

• Vocal Delivery: The vocal delivery from both Yung Miami and JT is sharp, aggressive, and confident. They use a conversational yet confrontational rap flow, emphasizing certain words for impact. Their ad-libs ('Period!', 'Where the bag at?') punctuate the verses and have become iconic parts of the song, reinforcing their brand of unapologetic confidence.
• Repetitive Hook: The chorus is simple, repetitive, and chant-like ('Act up, you can get snatched up'), making it incredibly memorable and effective as a party anthem and a viral soundbite. This repetition drills the song's central message into the listener.
• Musical Arrangement: The production by Earl on the Beat is a key stylistic element. It uses a sparse but infectious melody from a xylophone layered with sounds from an Omnisphere synth. This is laid over a classic trap and bounce rhythm section with prominent 808s, claps, snares, and cowbells, creating a beat that is explicitly designed for dancing, specifically twerking. The beat breakdown, where most instruments drop out leaving just a simple rhythm, builds tension before the beat drops back in, enhancing its club-readiness.
• Call and Response: While not a traditional call and response, there's an implicit dialogue with a perceived audience of haters and competitors. Lines like 'I ain't got time for you fake ass hoes' and 'you see my nigga in his phone, now you acting curious' are direct call-outs, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative.

Who really wrote the lyrics for City Girls' 'Act Up'?

Rapper Lil Yachty, a fellow Quality Control artist, wrote the majority of 'Act Up.' He confirmed in interviews that he wrote the entire song except for JT's final verse. Songwriting credits list Lil Yachty (under his real name, Miles McCollum), JT (Jatavia Johnson), and the producer Earl on the Beat (Isaac Bynum).

What does the phrase 'act up' mean in the song?

In the context of the song, 'to act up' means to misbehave, cause trouble, or step out of line. It's used as a confrontational warning to rivals or men, implying that if they challenge the City Girls, there will be negative consequences, such as getting 'snatched up' (having their man stolen or being physically confronted).

When was 'Act Up' by City Girls released?

The song 'Act Up' was originally released on November 16, 2018, as part of the City Girls' debut album, 'Girl Code.' It was later released as the album's second official single to radio on March 27, 2019.

What is the genre of 'Act Up'?

'Act Up' is primarily a Hip-hop/Trap song with strong elements of Bounce music, a subgenre originating from New Orleans known for its danceable, high-energy beats. It's often categorized as a 'twerk anthem.'

Why wasn't JT in the music video for 'Act Up'?

JT did not appear in the music video because she was serving a 24-month prison sentence for aggravated identity theft on fraudulent credit card charges at the time of its filming and release in May 2019.

What is the #ActUpChallenge?

The #ActUpChallenge was a viral social media trend, primarily on Instagram and TikTok, that helped propel the song to mainstream fame. Participants would post videos of themselves dancing, twerking, and lip-syncing to the song's unapologetic lyrics, often showcasing a confident or rebellious attitude.

What songs have sampled 'Act Up'?

The most notable song to sample 'Act Up' is Megan Thee Stallion's 2019 hit 'Hot Girl Summer,' which features Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign. The sample helped solidify the song's cultural importance during that summer.