PTSD

"PTSD" by G Herbo, featuring Juice WRLD, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Uzi Vert, is a powerful and raw exploration of the psychological trauma experienced by those who have grown up in violent environments, specifically the streets of Chicago. The song's title, an acronym for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is the central theme, with each artist detailing their personal struggles with the condition. It aims to shed light on the mental health issues prevalent in inner-city communities, which are often overlooked or normalized. G Herbo has stated that the album was inspired by his own diagnosis with PTSD after his lawyer suggested he see a therapist. He wanted the project to resonate with people from all walks of life, including war veterans and those from the streets, because he sees their struggles as a form of warfare.

The lyrics delve into the symptoms of PTSD, such as hypervigilance, paranoia, survivor's guilt, and emotional numbness. Juice WRLD's posthumous chorus is particularly poignant, speaking of smelling "death in the air" and the feeling of not belonging after making it out. G Herbo's verse is a firsthand account of the violence he witnessed and participated in, expressing the difficulty of finding joy in his success when so many of his friends are dead. Chance the Rapper recounts a chillingly casual memory of witnessing a murder and then going to GameStop, highlighting the desensitization to violence that can occur. Lil Uzi Vert's contribution focuses on the physical and mental exhaustion caused by constant paranoia and fear. The song serves as a platform to bring the conversation about mental health in the hip-hop community to the forefront.

The song opens with a poignant and haunting chorus from the late Juice WRLD, who speaks of sensing death in the air and the surreal feeling of having escaped a violent environment he felt he didn't belong to. He directly references having "eternal PTSD" and a "war zone inside of my head," setting a grim and introspective tone. He reflects on defying expectations that he would end up in jail or dead and the pain of repeatedly witnessing his friends fall. This chorus acts as the song's anchor, a recurring motif that emphasizes the inescapable nature of trauma.

G Herbo then takes the first verse, diving deep into his personal experiences growing up in the violent streets of Chicago. He paints a vivid picture of the constant gunfire, likening the sounds to fellow Chicago rapper Chief Keef's music. He speaks of the instinctual nature of survival, the cycle of retaliation against enemies, and the ever-present danger. He recounts a specific memory of being in a car during a shootout, highlighting the high-stakes reality of his past. Herbo also touches on the loyalty and responsibility he feels towards his people, contrasting his current success with the immense loss he has endured. He questions how he can possibly enjoy his wealth and achievements when all of his friends are gone, expressing a profound sense of survivor's guilt and unending anger.

Chance the Rapper delivers the second verse, offering another perspective on the trauma of witnessing violence in Chicago. He recalls running from the train, a simple act made perilous by his surroundings. He shares a chillingly casual memory of seeing a man shot and killed, immediately juxtaposing the horrific event with a mundane trip to GameStop to buy "San Andreas," a video game known for its own depiction of street violence. This comparison underscores a desensitization to real-life horror. Chance speaks of carrying the weight of the world and the evil he perceives in it. He also touches on the paranoia that accompanies his fame, where even fans can feel like a threat, and the lasting image of a friend bleeding out while another stole from his pockets.

Lil Uzi Vert's verse shifts the focus to the internal, psychological toll of this accumulated trauma. They speak of the paranoia that keeps them from sleeping and the physical manifestations of their PTSD, such as a loss of appetite. Uzi describes a constant state of high alert and the emotional exhaustion that comes with it, stating they "only see red." Their verse is a raw depiction of a mind and body ravaged by the streets, unable to find peace. The repetition of "I think it's my PTSD" at the end of their verse serves as a moment of pained self-awareness.

The song concludes by circling back to Juice WRLD's powerful chorus, reinforcing the central theme that while they may have physically escaped the violence, the psychological war within them continues to rage on. The collective narrative weaves together a powerful and somber tapestry of survival, loss, and the enduring mental scars of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The song "PTSD" is the title track from G Herbo's third studio album, released on February 28, 2020. The album itself was born out of G Herbo's personal experiences, particularly after he was arrested in 2018 and subsequently encouraged by his lawyer to attend therapy, where he was formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Herbo wanted the album to raise awareness about the mental health struggles faced by many in high-crime neighborhoods. The album's cover art is a powerful statement, featuring an American flag with bullet holes and the 50 stars replaced by the faces of 50 people Herbo had lost in his life, including his close friend and collaborator Juice WRLD.

The creation of the title track was described by G Herbo as a "natural" process. He was persistent in getting Juice WRLD to record the hook, and once that was done, he felt they had a hit. The features from fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper and Philadelphia's Lil Uzi Vert came together organically as well, with both artists recording their verses in G Herbo's presence. The track was produced by D.A. Got That Dope (David D.A. Doman), known for his work with artists like Eminem and Tyga. "PTSD" was Juice WRLD's second posthumous release. Following its release, the song became a significant milestone for G Herbo, marking his first-ever entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 38. The song was later certified Platinum by the RIAA.

The rhyme scheme in "PTSD" is predominantly free verse, allowing each artist the flexibility to deliver their narrative in a raw and conversational manner. The focus is less on complex rhyme patterns and more on storytelling and emotional impact. G Herbo's verses often feature internal rhymes and assonance, which contribute to his urgent, tumbling flow. For example, in the lines "I was hearing bangs like Chief Keef / Always yelling names that's deceased," the repetition of the long 'e' sound creates a sense of continuity and intensity. The rhythm of the song is characterized by a stark contrast between Juice WRLD's melodic, smoothly delivered chorus and the more rhythmically complex and often off-kilter verses of the rappers. G Herbo's delivery, in particular, plays with the beat, sometimes rushing ahead of it, which enhances the feeling of anxiety and breathlessness he is trying to convey. This intentional rhythmic displacement is a key part of his artistic style and is used effectively here to reflect the chaotic nature of his thoughts and memories. The overall tempo is moderate, allowing space for the lyrics to land with emotional weight.

Musically, "PTSD" is built around a melancholic and "eerie" guitar-driven instrumental with "bubbly drums," created by producer D.A. Got That Dope. This creates a somber and reflective mood that complements the lyrical content. The song's structure, with Juice WRLD's sung chorus acting as a haunting refrain, provides a melodic anchor to the raw and intense rap verses. G Herbo is known for a distinctive vocal delivery that has been described as rapping "off-beat." However, on this track and throughout the album, this style is used intentionally to convey a sense of panic, anxiety, and unreleased stress, mirroring the symptoms of a panic attack. His flow can be relentless and rapid, as if he's struggling to get all the traumatic memories out at once. In contrast, Chance the Rapper employs his signature narrative style with varied flows, while Lil Uzi Vert's verse is more melodic and focused on conveying a feeling of exhaustion. The track also utilizes a sample from Jay-Z's "Dynasty Intro" on the album's opening track, setting a high bar for lyricism and emotional depth from the outset.

"PTSD" has had a significant cultural impact, primarily in its contribution to the growing conversation about mental health within the hip-hop community. The song and the album of the same name were praised for their vulnerability and for tackling a subject that has historically been stigmatized, particularly among Black men from inner-city backgrounds. The song was a commercial success, becoming G Herbo's first-ever track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 38. It was certified Gold in May 2020 and later reached Platinum status in September 2020. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking G Herbo's first top-ten debut. G Herbo and Chance the Rapper performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2020 as a tribute to Juice WRLD. The song's success and critical acclaim have solidified G Herbo's place as a significant voice in modern hip-hop, one who is willing to use his platform to address difficult and important social issues. The album's themes have been analyzed in academic and journalistic contexts for their portrayal of life in impoverished Chicago neighborhoods and the systemic issues that lead to trauma.

The most potent symbol in the song and the accompanying album is the American flag depicted on the cover art. The flag, traditionally a symbol of freedom and opportunity, is riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains, representing the violent reality of the environment G Herbo and his collaborators grew up in. The 50 stars are replaced with the faces of their deceased friends, a stark and personal representation of the human cost of this violence. This reimagined flag subverts its traditional meaning, suggesting that the promise of America is not accessible to everyone, especially those in impoverished, high-crime areas.

The central metaphor of the song is the "war zone inside of my head," a lyric repeated by both Juice WRLD and G Herbo. This metaphor vividly illustrates the internal, psychological battle that is PTSD. It equates the inner turmoil, the intrusive memories, and the constant anxiety to being in an active combat zone. This comparison is intentional, as G Herbo has stated he wants the song to be relatable to both soldiers returning from war and individuals who have survived the "war" in the streets. Chance the Rapper uses the video game "San Andreas" as a metaphor to describe the desensitization to violence, where a real-life shooting is processed with the same detachment as an event in a game.

The most significant recurring phrase and central motif of the song is "I got a war zone inside of my head," which appears in Juice WRLD's chorus and is echoed in the verses. This phrase encapsulates the core theme of the song: the internal, unending battle with trauma. Its repetition serves to hammer home the relentless nature of PTSD. Another key recurring phrase is Juice WRLD's line, "Don't stand too close to me, I got PTSD." This line highlights the isolation and emotional distance that often accompanies trauma, as individuals may push others away out of fear or an inability to connect. The entire chorus, sung by Juice WRLD, acts as a recurring musical and lyrical motif that frames the individual verses, providing a consistent emotional backdrop of sorrow and loss. The theme of dead friends is a recurring motif throughout all the verses, with each artist reflecting on the profound impact of these losses on their mental state.