Gangsta

“Gangsta” delves into the complex and often dark desire for a love that is all-consuming, loyal, and accepting of a damaged past. Lyrically, the song is a direct expression of yearning for a partner who not only understands but matches the narrator's intensity and flaws. The repeated call for a “gangsta” is a metaphor for wanting a “ride or die” partner who will offer unwavering support and forgiveness, no matter the circumstances. The song was written from the perspective of Harley Quinn in the movie Suicide Squad, reflecting her toxic yet fiercely loyal relationship with the Joker. It explores the idea of finding strength in a shared brokenness and a mutual understanding of each other's “secrets.” The lyrics, “I'm fucked up, I'm black and blue / I'm built for it, all the abuse,” suggest a history of trauma and a belief that only someone equally intense—a “gangsta”—can truly love her. It speaks to the power dynamic in a relationship where surrender can be a form of strength and a conscious choice.

The narrator opens by stating a profound need for a “gangsta” kind of love, one that surpasses all previous experiences. This love is characterized by unwavering forgiveness and a “ride or die” commitment, qualities she attributes to the gangster archetype. She reveals her own damaged state, describing herself as “fucked up, I'm black and blue,” but also resilient and “built for it, all the abuse.” There’s an admission of carrying deep secrets that no one else is privy to, creating a sense of isolation. This vulnerability is paired with a rejection of superficial or easily obtainable affection; she dismisses “pussy shit” and expresses a desire for someone who also possesses their own hidden depths and secrets, someone who mirrors her own complexity.

The chorus repeats this central plea for a gangster’s love, emphasizing the need to be loved “better” and to be unconditionally forgiven. The phrase “ride or die with me” underscores the theme of absolute loyalty, a partnership that endures through any hardship. This is the core essence of what she believes a “gangsta” provides. The second verse delves into her wilder side, her “freakness is on the loose,” and she wants her partner to embrace this and take her to clandestine, unknown places. This speaks to a yearning for a love that exists outside of societal norms and judgments.

The intensity of this connection is described in visceral terms: “You got me hooked up on the feeling / You got me hanging from the ceiling / Got me up so high I'm barely breathing.” This imagery conveys a sense of exhilarating, almost dangerous, euphoria. The plea “So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me, don't let me go” reveals the fear underlying this intense passion—the fear of abandonment. The song concludes with a final, emphatic repetition of the chorus, cementing the idea that this all-consuming, loyal, and forgiving love is what she craves above all else, a love that is as intense and non-conformist as she is.

“Gangsta” was created for the soundtrack of the 2016 DC Comics film Suicide Squad. The song was released on August 1, 2016, as the fourth single from the movie's official soundtrack. It was written by Kehlani Parrish, Skylar Grey, Andrew Swanson, Jeremy Coleman (JMIKE), Jason Evigan, and Jacob Luttrell. The production was handled by JMIKE and Djemba Djemba. According to songwriter Skylar Grey, the hook for “Gangsta” was written before they were approached for the movie soundtrack. The film studio heard the initial idea and requested that it be completed for the film. Director David Ayer was immediately taken with the song, recognizing its raw, emotional, and haunting quality as a perfect fit for the movie's aesthetic and specifically for the character of Harley Quinn. He felt it captured the essence of choosing a difficult relationship and finding power in surrender. The song was recorded at Atlantic Studios in Los Angeles, California. It was also included on the deluxe edition of Kehlani's debut studio album, SweetSexySavage (2017).

The central metaphor of the song is the figure of the “gangsta,” which symbolizes an ideal partner who embodies extreme loyalty, acceptance of flaws, and a willingness to face any danger together. This isn't a literal call for a criminal but for a specific kind of intense, unwavering love. The lyrics “I'm fucked up, I'm black and blue” serve as a symbol of past trauma and emotional damage, suggesting a history that has prepared the narrator for a turbulent relationship. The imagery of being “hooked up on the feeling” and “hanging from the ceiling” metaphorically represents the intoxicating and disorienting high of this passionate, almost dangerous love affair. The request to be taken to “places that nobody, nobody knows” symbolizes a desire for a love that is private, secretive, and exists outside the bounds of conventional society, mirroring the clandestine nature of Harley Quinn and the Joker's relationship which inspired the track.

The emotional atmosphere of “Gangsta” is dark, sensual, and intensely longing. It conveys a feeling of being broken yet defiant, a raw vulnerability mixed with a demand for an equally intense form of love. The song's haunting melody and Kehlani's emotive vocal performance create a landscape of desperate desire. There's a palpable sense of danger and obsession, particularly in lines like “You got me hanging from the ceiling.” However, beneath the darkness, there is also a yearning for unconditional acceptance and security, as expressed in the line “To always forgive me.” The emotional tone is directly tied to the perspective of Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad, capturing her psychological state of being madly in love with a dangerous figure and finding a strange sense of power and identity within that toxic dynamic. The overall feeling is a mix of tension, passion, and a deep-seated need for a love that can withstand any storm.

“Gangsta” achieved significant cultural influence, largely due to its prominent feature in the blockbuster film Suicide Squad (2016). The song became inextricably linked with the on-screen relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker, resonating with audiences and becoming a fan-favorite from the platinum-selling soundtrack. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kehlani's highest-charting solo song at the time and holding its place on the chart for 12 weeks. The official music video, which premiered in August 2016, heavily features imagery referencing the film, with Kehlani recreating iconic scenes, such as lying in broken glass next to Harley's baseball bat and swimming in a pool of acid-like liquid. This visual reinforcement solidified the song's connection to the characters. “Gangsta” received a platinum certification and remains one of Kehlani's most-streamed tracks, demonstrating its lasting popularity. Its success helped to further elevate Kehlani's profile in the mainstream music scene.

The rhyme scheme in “Gangsta” is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) in the verses, such as “blue” and “abuse,” and “knows” with itself. The chorus follows a similar pattern with “do” and “do.” This simple structure makes the lyrics direct and impactful. The rhythm is slow and deliberate, built on a downtempo electronic beat that creates a moody and atmospheric feel. The tempo is consistent, allowing Kehlani's vocal rhythm to be the main source of variation. She often sings with a syncopated, almost conversational flow in the verses, which contrasts with the more sustained and melodic delivery of the chorus. The repetition of the hook “I need a gangsta” creates a rhythmic and lyrical anchor for the song, making it memorable and emphatic. The interplay between the sparse, heavy beat and Kehlani's fluid vocal lines creates a sense of tension and longing that is central to the song's emotional core.

“Gangsta” employs a number of stylistic techniques to create its haunting and atmospheric sound. Musically, it features a downtempo, bass-heavy electronic beat with echoing reverb, which gives the track a dark and cinematic quality. Kehlani's vocal delivery is a key element; it's raw and emotive, shifting between a breathy vulnerability in the verses and a powerful, pleading tone in the chorus. The production incorporates ethereal background vocals, credited to songwriter Skylar Grey, which add to the song's haunting atmosphere. Lyrically, the song uses direct and raw language (e.g., “I'm fucked up,” “pussy shit”) to convey a sense of unfiltered honesty and intensity. The repetition of the word “nobody” in the line “that nobody, nobody, nobody knows” emphasizes the depth of the secrets held and the profound sense of isolation. The use of the “ride or die” trope is a modern colloquialism that grounds the fantastical desire in a contemporary understanding of loyalty.