North Korea

North Korea by Josh A (featuring iamjakehill) is primarily a "flex" track that utilizes extreme hyperbole and dark humor to assert the artists' dominance in the underground rap scene. The central meaning revolves around the double entendre of the phrase "blowing up." In hip-hop slang, to blow up means to achieve sudden and massive fame. The song juxtaposes this positive ambition with the literal explosions associated with North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

The song is not a political manifesto but rather a product of its time (2017), using the then-heightened geopolitical tensions between the US and North Korea as a backdrop for an aggressive musical persona. By explicitly insulting Kim Jong Un and comparing their own mental states and lyrical abilities to a volatile rogue state, the artists project an image of danger, unpredictability, and fearlessness.

Implicitly, the song explores themes of outcast strength. Both Josh A and Jake Hill often rap about depression, anxiety, and feeling like misfits. In this track, they weaponize that instability, framing their "craziness" not as a weakness but as a dangerous force that makes them formidable opponents in the rap game.

The song opens with a skit-like, spoken-word introduction where the artists aggressively denounce the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. They mockingly dismiss his authority and threaten to retaliate against his nuclear posturing with their own aggression. This sets a tone of irreverence and dark humor that permeates the track.

As the first verse kicks in, the narrative shifts to a classic hip-hop flex. The lyrics describe the artist's rapid ascent in the music industry, comparing their 'blowing up' (gaining popularity) to a nuclear explosion. There is a sense of unhinged energy, with the protagonist claiming to be 'crazy' and unbothered by critics. The imagery is violent and chaotic, referencing 'Nuketown'—a popular map from the Call of Duty video game franchise—to bridge the gap between real-world geopolitical tension and gaming culture. The artist boasts about making money, ignoring detractors, and possessing a flow that is lethal to the competition.

The chorus reinforces this central metaphor. The repetition of 'North Korea' serves as a punchline for destruction and volatility. The artist warns that if provoked, they will react with disproportionate force, likening their emotional and lyrical outburst to a bomb strike. The lyrics suggest a 'take no prisoners' attitude, where the artist is ready to dismantle any opposition.

In the second verse, the collaboration with Jake Hill adds another layer of intensity. The lyrics delve into themes of being an outsider and a threat to the established order. They touch upon the idea of being 'better off dead' or isolated, yet finding power in that isolation. The verse continues the barrage of rapid-fire rhymes, mixing references to weapons, mental instability, and dominance over other rappers. The song concludes with the artists asserting their supremacy, claiming to take the souls of their rivals and leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

North Korea was released on October 19, 2017, as part of Josh A's collaborative album with iamjakehill titled Better Off Dead. This period marked a significant turning point in Josh A's career, as he began transitioning from primarily producing gaming-centric content to establishing a more serious, albeit edgy, presence in the alternative hip-hop and "sad boy" rap spheres.

The song was created during a time of peak political tension between the United States and North Korea, often referred to as the "Fire and Fury" era. The constant news cycle regarding nuclear threats likely inspired the duo to use the country as a topical and provocative metaphor. Josh A and Jake Hill are known for their rapid recording process and internet-savvy approach, often incorporating memes and current events into their lyrics to resonate with a younger, digitally native audience.

The track features Josh A's longtime collaborator iamjakehill (Jake Hill). Their chemistry on this album, and this track specifically, helped solidify their partnership, which would go on to produce multiple joint albums and tours. The production reflects the "trap metal" and hard-hitting rap styles that were gaining traction on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube at the time.

The song utilizes a driving, 4/4 meter typical of trap music, but the vocal rhythm often switches to double-time. The rhyme scheme is predominantly AABB or continuous rhyming on the same sound for extended bars to build tension.

For example, in the chorus, there is a heavy reliance on slant rhymes and perfect rhymes centered around the "oh" and "own" sounds (e.g., explode, Nuketown). The rhythm is staccato and punchy; the artists often land on the downbeat with high energy to emphasize the punchlines. The pacing is relentless, with very few pauses, mimicking the countdown and subsequent detonation of the bombs mentioned in the lyrics.

Musical Techniques:

• Heavy Bass and Distortion: The beat features the distorted 808s characteristic of the "trap metal" genre, creating an abrasive and aggressive sonic wall that matches the lyrical content.
• Fast Flow (Chopper Style): Both Josh A and Jake Hill employ a rapid-fire delivery. This stylistic choice emphasizes technical skill and creates a sense of urgency and chaos, mirroring the "explosion" theme.
• Vocal Contrast: Josh A's slightly deeper, more textured delivery contrasts with Jake Hill's sharper, higher-pitched cutting flow, keeping the listener engaged through timbral variety.

Literary Techniques:

• Hyperbole: The entire premise is an exaggeration. The artists compare their personal success to a geopolitical crisis.
• Simile: "Explode like Nuketown," "Blow em up like North Korea." These comparisons drive the hook of the song.
• Shock Value: The intro and explicit disses are designed to shock the listener and grab attention immediately, a common technique in internet-based rap.

While North Korea did not chart on mainstream billboards, it holds a significant place within the Josh A & iamjakehill discography and the underground Nerdcore/Alternative Rap scene. It is a fan favorite from the Better Off Dead album and is often cited as one of the duo's hardest-hitting "bangers."

The song helped cement the "dynamic duo" status of Josh A and Jake Hill, showcasing their ability to trade verses seamlessly. Culturally, it serves as a time capsule of internet culture in 2017—where gaming references (Nuketown), political edginess (North Korea), and SoundCloud rap aesthetics collided. It remains a staple in their live performances, known for generating high-energy crowd responses.

The song relies heavily on a single, extended metaphor: North Korea as a symbol of volatility and explosive power.

• The Nuclear Bomb: Represents the artists' career trajectory and lyrical impact. Just as a nuclear bomb causes massive destruction, their music is intended to disrupt the industry and destroy "mumble rap" or competitors.
• Kim Jong Un: Used as a caricature of an antagonist. By dissing him, the artists position themselves as fearless rebels who respect no authority, not even a dictator with nuclear weapons.
• Nuketown: A reference to the Call of Duty map. This symbol grounds the song in nerdcore culture, effectively turning the terrifying concept of nuclear war into a game where the artists are the top players. It creates a bridge between the real-world threat and the digital world where Josh A built his initial fanbase.
• "Talking Down": Represents the doubts of critics. The response to this—"explode like Nuketown"—symbolizes proving critics wrong through undeniable success.

The most significant recurring phrase is the hook: "Blow 'em up like North Korea." This phrase acts as the anchor for the song's energy, returning the listener to the central aggressive metaphor after the intricate verses.

Another motif is the reference to "Crazy". The artists repeatedly mention that others think they are crazy, or they admit to being crazy. This motif serves to validate their outcast status and excuses their aggressive behavior as a symptom of their "madness," a common trope in the "sad rap" genre where mental health struggles are often inextricably linked with artistic genius.