Bandit (with YoungBoy Never Broke Again)

"Bandit" is a collaborative track that delves into themes of toxic love, hedonism, and a rebellious outlaw identity. The central metaphor of the song is Juice WRLD casting himself as a 'bandit' who has stolen his lover's heart. This isn't a gentle romance; it's a raw, possessive dynamic with a woman he describes as a 'bad bitch.' The song explores a lifestyle of indulgence and recklessness, where drugs like Molly and Percocet are frequently mentioned. Juice WRLD creates a paradox by stating he doesn't need Molly to be 'savage,' but feels that way when he's on it, highlighting a complex relationship with substances where they are used to amplify inherent feelings of boldness rather than create them. YoungBoy Never Broke Again's verse complements this narrative, portraying a similar theme of dominance and taking what he wants, reinforcing the aggressive and possessive nature of the love they describe. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of a chaotic and passionate lifestyle, intertwining themes of desire, power, and a disregard for societal norms.

The song portrays a narrative of a tumultuous and hedonistic romance, centered around the persona of a modern-day outlaw. The protagonist, voiced by Juice WRLD, identifies himself as a 'bandit,' not in the literal sense of a thief, but as someone who has stolen his lover's heart. This act is presented with a mix of pride and recklessness. He finds himself entangled with a woman who is described as the 'definition of a bad bitch,' implying she is equally wild and desirable. Their relationship is intense and inseparable, likened to Velcro. The lyrics delve into a world of substance use, where drugs like Molly (MDMA) and Percocet are part of their lifestyle. Juice WRLD creates a duality in his narrative; he claims he doesn't need drugs to feel 'savage' or bold, yet admits that when he is under their influence, this savage nature is amplified. This suggests an internal conflict and a reliance on substances to enhance his feelings of power and abandon. There's a sense of living on the edge, with references to weaponry like a Tommy gun, indicating a dangerous and volatile environment that surrounds them.

YoungBoy Never Broke Again's verse continues and reinforces these themes from his own perspective. He echoes the idea of being a 'savage' who takes what he wants, specifically the woman pointed out to him. His lyrics are steeped in a sense of dominance and control, both in his relationship and in his broader life. He projects an image of untouchable power, where problems can be solved with money and threats are dealt with decisively, almost effortlessly ('without my hand in it'). This adds another layer to the 'bandit' persona, one that is not just about romantic conquest but also about navigating a perilous world with an unshakeable, aggressive confidence. Both artists paint a picture of a relationship that thrives on mutual intensity, a shared disregard for norms, and a life fueled by passion, danger, and a cocktail of intoxicating substances. The entire narrative is a celebration of this wild, unapologetic existence, where love is a form of capture and life is lived without restraint.

"Bandit" was released on October 4, 2019, and stands as the final single released by Juice WRLD as a lead artist before his death on December 8, 2019. The song was produced by Nick Mira, a frequent and pivotal collaborator for Juice WRLD, known for producing hits like "Lucid Dreams". Mira revealed that he created the beat on May 10, 2018, during a period where he was making numerous beats for Juice WRLD's album, which would become Death Race for Love. The beat features a nylon guitar melody from Omnisphere, chosen to sound somewhat artificial, giving it what Mira described as 'strong video game vibes,' reminiscent of Zelda. The song was initially leaked, which, along with the announcement of a feature from YoungBoy Never Broke Again, helped build significant hype before its official release. The music video, directed by Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade, was filmed in YoungBoy's hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The video features Juice WRLD on a bayou boat ride holding baby alligators and YoungBoy doing wheelies on a quad bike, visually capturing the song's wild and rebellious spirit. The single was later added as a bonus track to the album Death Race for Love.

The song is built around several key symbols and metaphors:

• The Bandit: The most prominent metaphor is the 'bandit.' Both Juice WRLD and YoungBoy use this term to describe themselves, not as literal thieves, but as outlaws who have 'stolen' the hearts of their lovers. This metaphor frames love as a thrilling, illicit conquest rather than a conventional romance, tying into themes of rebellion and possession. Juice WRLD had previously used a similar theft metaphor for love in his song "Robbery".
• Drugs as a Catalyst: Substances like Molly (MDMA) and Percocet are used symbolically throughout the song. Juice WRLD's line, "I don't need no molly to be savage, uh / When I'm on that molly, I feel savage," suggests that drugs are not the source of his wild nature but a catalyst that amplifies it. This portrays a complex relationship with addiction and identity, a common theme in his music.
• Velcro: Juice WRLD describes his attachment to his lover as being like 'velcro,' symbolizing an inseparable and possibly codependent bond. This simple, everyday object is used to illustrate the powerful and sticky nature of their connection.
• Jeffrey Dahmer Reference: The line "She a killer and an eater, she a Jeffery Dahmer" is a shocking and dark metaphor used to describe the woman's intense and possibly dangerous nature, suggesting she consumes him entirely. This hyperbole elevates the 'bad bitch' persona to a femme fatale level.

The emotional atmosphere of "Bandit" is a complex mixture of aggressive bravado, hedonistic recklessness, and an underlying sense of dark, possessive romance. The song operates on a high-energy, almost manic level, driven by the fast tempo and the artists' declarative vocal deliveries. There's a strong feeling of defiance and unapologetic confidence, as both Juice WRLD and YoungBoy embrace their 'savage' personas. However, this bravado is intertwined with the chaos of drug use, creating a tone that is simultaneously celebratory and unsettling. The lyrical content about stealing hearts and being addicted to a lover's 'paraphernalia' adds a layer of toxic obsession and codependency. The overall emotional landscape is not one of simple joy or anger, but a turbulent and mixed state of excitement, tension, and a dark, almost reckless form of romantic passion. It captures the chaotic energy of living a fast life where love and danger are inextricably linked.

"Bandit" was a significant commercial success and holds a poignant place in Juice WRLD's discography. Upon its release, the song peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking Juice WRLD's second top-ten single (after "Lucid Dreams") and becoming YoungBoy Never Broke Again's highest-charting single at the time. Tragically, it was the last single Juice WRLD released in his lifetime, adding a layer of somber significance to its legacy. The track further solidified Juice WRLD's status as a leading figure in the emo-rap and SoundCloud rap movements, genres that blend hip-hop with emotional vulnerability and alternative rock influences. The music video, directed by the influential Cole Bennett, garnered massive views and contributed to the song's viral spread. "Bandit" remains one of Juice WRLD's most popular songs, with over a billion streams on Spotify, demonstrating its enduring appeal and its importance to his fanbase. The song is often cited as a prime example of the potent creative chemistry between Juice WRLD and producer Nick Mira.

The song's rhythmic and rhyming structure is central to its trap and emo-rap feel. The tempo is fast, around 180 BPM, which contributes to its high-energy, and sometimes anxious, atmosphere. The track is set in the key of F Minor, a common choice for songs with a melancholic or serious tone. The rhythm is driven by a standard trap pattern: fast-paced hi-hats (likely two-step), a clap or snare on the backbeat, and a deep, resonant 808 bass that provides the harmonic foundation. The lyrical delivery from both Juice WRLD and YoungBoy is fluid and often syncopated, playing against the straightforward drum pattern. They employ a conversational, free-verse rhyme scheme rather than a rigid, predictable pattern. The rhymes are often internal or slant rhymes (e.g., savage/bandit, Hilfiger/nigga), which allows for a more naturalistic and less forced flow, characteristic of modern rap styles. This loose structure enables them to fit complex narratives and emotional expressions within the bars without sounding constrained by the rhyme scheme.

"Bandit" showcases Juice WRLD's signature emo-rap style, blending melodic, sing-song vocal delivery with trap-influenced production. The song employs several techniques:

• Vocal Delivery: Both Juice WRLD and YoungBoy Never Broke Again utilize a melodic rap flow that dances around the beat. Juice WRLD often started his vocals in unconventional places, not just on the downbeat, creating a unique interplay between the rhythm of his lyrics and the instrumental. His delivery carries an emotional, often melancholic, tone even when delivering braggadocious lines.
• Production: The beat by Nick Mira is characteristic of the 'Juice WRLD type beat,' featuring a prominent guitar melody over simple but hard-hitting trap drums and a distorted 808 bassline that follows the root notes. The melody has a 'video game vibe,' which adds a slightly surreal, escapist quality to the track.
• Lyrical Juxtaposition: The lyrics often juxtapose vulnerability and aggression. For example, the idea of being a 'savage' is tied to both a confident declaration of self and the influence of drugs, creating a complex emotional texture.
• Ad-libs and Repetition: The use of ad-libs ('uh, uh,' 'ayy') and the repetition in the chorus create a catchy, hypnotic effect, which is a staple of the trap genre and enhances the song's memorability.

What is the main meaning of Juice WRLD's song 'Bandit'?

The song 'Bandit' is about a reckless and possessive romance where Juice WRLD metaphorically calls himself a 'bandit' for stealing his lover's heart. It explores themes of hedonism, a rebellious lifestyle, and a complex relationship with drug use, where substances amplify his inherent 'savage' nature.

Who produced the song 'Bandit' by Juice WRLD and NBA YoungBoy?

'Bandit' was produced by Nick Mira, an American record producer from the Internet Money collective. Mira was a frequent collaborator with Juice WRLD and also produced some of his biggest hits, including 'Lucid Dreams' and 'All Girls Are the Same'.

When was 'Bandit' released and was it Juice WRLD's last song?

'Bandit' was released on October 4, 2019. It was the final single released by Juice WRLD as a lead artist before his death on December 8, 2019, making it a particularly poignant track in his discography.

What does Juice WRLD mean by 'I don't need no molly to be savage'?

This line suggests a duality in his persona. Juice WRLD is claiming that his bold, 'savage' nature is an innate part of his personality. However, he also admits that using Molly (MDMA) enhances and brings out that feeling more intensely, highlighting a theme of drugs as an amplifier rather than a creator of his feelings.

Where was the music video for 'Bandit' filmed?

The official music video for 'Bandit,' directed by Cole Bennett, was filmed in YoungBoy Never Broke Again's hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The video features iconic scenes like Juice WRLD on a bayou boat and YoungBoy on a quad bike.

What is the significance of the 'Bandit' collaboration between Juice WRLD and YoungBoy Never Broke Again?

This was the first and only official collaboration between the two popular artists. It was a highly anticipated track that became a commercial success, charting in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming NBA YoungBoy's highest-charting song at the time of its release.

What does the lyric 'She a killer and an eater, she a Jeffery Dahmer' mean?

This is a dark and hyperbolic metaphor used to describe the intense, all-consuming nature of his love interest. By referencing the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, Juice WRLD is emphasizing her femme fatale qualities in an extreme and shocking way, suggesting she has completely captivated and 'devoured' him.