Wat's Wrong (feat. Zacari & Kendrick Lamar)

Wat's Wrong is a profound exploration of the duality of the artist's psyche, specifically focusing on mental health, addiction, and the pressure of success within the hip-hop industry. The song serves as a centerpiece for Isaiah Rashad's album The Sun's Tirade, which documents his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction that nearly cost him his career.

Isaiah's verses are characterized by vulnerability and confession. He addresses his reliance on Xanax and alcohol to numb the pain of his reality, including relationship struggles and the responsibilities of fatherhood. The title itself is a rhetorical question often directed at people suffering from depression who cannot easily articulate the source of their pain. He paints a picture of a man who is "strung out" and struggling to maintain his composure despite his rising fame.

Kendrick Lamar's feature provides a stark contrast, acting as both a foil and a mentor figure. While Isaiah is drowning in the low-energy slump of depression, Kendrick arrives with high-octane energy, representing the discipline and aggression required to stay on top. However, Kendrick also touches on the dark side of fame, industry politics, and his own erratic emotions (referencing his Gemini nature). Ultimately, the song is a dialogue between two states of being: the depressive lows of addiction and the manic highs of artistic supremacy, united by the shared struggle of navigating life as a Black man in America.

The narrative begins with a soulful, melodic cry for release, describing the act of cutting one's hair as a metaphor for severing ties with past burdens and seeking a new beginning, even if the destination is unclear. The speaker expresses a desire to give up everything they have loved, highlighting a sense of desperation and the heavy toll of their emotional state.

The perspective shifts to a gritty, confessional monologue from a man deeply entrenched in a cycle of substance abuse and depression. He admits to relying on Xanax to cope with the pressures of fatherhood and a volatile relationship with his child's mother. He describes a chaotic domestic life where arguments flare up over his intoxicated state, leading him to retreat further into numbness. He feels disconnected from his own success, noting that despite his talent, he struggles to find joy or stability. He speaks of 'biting the bullet' and the physical sensation of having a hole in his pocket, symbolizing both financial irresponsibility and the way his emotional reserves are constantly draining away. He acknowledges the irony of his position—blessed with talent but cursed with a mind that won't let him rest.

Suddenly, the energy shifts dramatically as a second voice enters, sharp, aggressive, and authoritative. This figure represents the pinnacle of success and discipline, contrasting the previous lethargy. He raps with fierce precision about navigating the music industry, dealing with conflicts, and the absurdity of fame. He uses complex wordplay involving zodiac signs to describe his emotional volatility and the 'cancerous' nature of the business. He challenges the first speaker and the listener, asserting his dominance while acknowledging the shared struggle of black artists. He critiques the superficiality of others and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, even when it creates friction.

Finally, the original speaker returns, sounding somewhat grounded but still weary. He reflects on the difficulty of finding a topic to speak on when his mind is clouded. He alludes to the 'Sun's Tirade,' a metaphor for the exhausting heat of scrutiny and the relentless pressure to perform. The narrative concludes with a sense of lingering unresolved tension, as he tries to find a balance between his vices and his virtues, accepting that his flaws are an intrinsic part of his artistry.

Wat's Wrong was released on September 2, 2016, as a key track on Isaiah Rashad's second studio album, The Sun's Tirade. The creation of this song and the album occurred during a tumultuous period in Rashad's life. Following the success of his debut Cilvia Demo, Rashad spiraled into addiction, abusing alcohol and Xanax, which led to him almost being dropped from the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) label three times.

The song features production by Al B. Smoov and D. Sanders, who crafted the soulful, jazz-inflected beat that allows the artists to flow freely. The inclusion of Kendrick Lamar was significant; at the time, Rashad had been somewhat isolated from the rest of the TDE camp due to his addiction. Kendrick's verse is not just a feature but a stamp of approval and a challenge, pushing Rashad to elevate his pen game. The hook is provided by Zacari, who would later gain massive fame for his work on Kendrick's DAMN. album. The recording sessions for the album were described as a redemption arc, with Rashad sobering up and pouring his frustrations and realizations into the music.

The song operates in a 4/4 time signature but feels loose and swung, owing to the jazz influence.
Isaiah's Rhyme Scheme: Isaiah often uses slant rhymes and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) to create a drowsy, hypnotic effect. His rhythm is behind the beat, dragging slightly, which emphasizes his lyrical themes of being "stuck" or "slowed down" by drugs.
Kendrick's Rhyme Scheme: Kendrick shifts the rhythm dramatically. He pushes ahead of the beat, using complex AABB and ABAB patterns nested within long runs of internal rhyme. He utilizes triplets and syncopation to create a sense of urgency, effectively waking the listener up from the trance Isaiah induced.

Musical Techniques: The production relies heavily on a lo-fi, jazz-rap aesthetic. It utilizes a smooth, undulating bassline and soft keys that create a "smoky" atmosphere, perfectly matching Isaiah's lethargic delivery. The tempo is laid-back, typical of the "stony" vibe associated with Rashad.

Literary & Vocal Techniques:

• Flow Switching: The song is a masterclass in contrasting flows. Isaiah utilizes a slurred, melodic, almost mumble-rap style that conveys exhaustion and intoxication. In sharp contrast, Kendrick employs a rapid-fire, double-time flow with precise enunciation, symbolizing clarity and aggression.
• Internal Rhyme: Both rappers use dense rhyme schemes. Kendrick, in particular, chains multi-syllabic rhymes together rapidly (e.g., "Anaheim," "panoramic," "standing," "abandoned").
• Enjambment: Lines often run into the next without a pause, mimicking the stream-of-consciousness thought process of an anxious mind.
• Irony: Isaiah rapping about being unable to find a topic while delivering a poignant verse about his lack of inspiration is a form of meta-commentary on writer's block.

Wat's Wrong is widely regarded as one of the standout tracks from The Sun's Tirade and a defining moment in Isaiah Rashad's discography. Culturally, it solidified Rashad's place as the "conscious" and "vibey" alternative within the TDE label, distinct from ScHoolboy Q's gangster rap or Kendrick's political anthems.

Kendrick Lamar's verse on this track is frequently cited by hip-hop critics and fans as one of his best guest features of all time. The song is often analyzed in discussions about mental health in hip-hop, as it provides a raw, unglamorized look at the depression that often accompanies rapid success. It remains a fan favorite for its high replay value and the intricate interplay between two of the generation's most skilled lyricists.

The lyrics are dense with imagery and metaphors that illustrate the artists' internal states:

• "Cut my hair" (Zacari): A biblical allusion to Samson, representing a loss of strength, but in a modern context, it often symbolizes a desire for change, a fresh start, or a breakdown. It suggests shedding the weight of the past.
• "Xannies" and "Grannies": Isaiah juxtaposes Xanax (numbing escape) with the image of his grandmother (tradition, expectation, disappointment). It highlights the generational gap and the shame associated with his addiction.
• "The Sun's Tirade": The album title and a recurring concept. It metaphors the sun not as a source of life, but as an oppressive heat—the spotlight of fame and the exhaustion of daily life beating down on him.
• Zodiac Imagery (Kendrick): Kendrick references "Cancer" (the crab) and "Gemini." He uses "Cancer" as a double entendre for the disease and the astrological sign, discussing his mood swings and the toxic nature of the music industry.
• "Hole in my pocket": Represents financial instability caused by addiction, but also a spiritual void where satisfaction and happiness keep leaking out no matter how much success is poured in.

The hook by Zacari serves as the central motif: "I told Zay, I'm the best rapper since twenty-five / Been like that for a while now, I'm twenty-nine." (Note: While Zacari sings the hook, this specific braggadocio is echoed in the sentiment of the verses). However, the true recurring motif is the unanswered question implied by the title "Wat's Wrong." The entire song acts as an answer to this question without explicitly restating it constantly. Another motif is the reference to numbers and age, marking the passage of time and the pressure to achieve greatness before getting "too old" in the rap game.