Crazy Story, Pt. 3

"Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is a raw and unfiltered narrative that delves into the harsh realities of street life, centered on themes of betrayal, survival, and vengeance. The song serves as the conclusion to the story arc that King Von initiated in his breakout hit "Crazy Story." Lyrically, it's a first-person account of a robbery gone wrong, where Von is double-crossed by a woman and subsequently shot. The meaning of the song lies in its detailed, cinematic storytelling, which illustrates the cycle of violence that defines his environment. It's not just a recounting of events; it's an exploration of the street code, where betrayal is met with violent retribution. The narrative follows Von as he recovers from his injuries and then exacts his revenge on both the woman who set him up and the man who shot him. This conclusion to the saga solidifies Von's persona as a masterful and authentic storyteller, who doesn't shy away from the grim details of his experiences. The song ultimately portrays a world where trust is scarce and violence is a necessary tool for survival and maintaining respect.

The narrative of “Crazy Story, Pt. 3” picks up and concludes the events from the preceding songs in the series, detailing a story of a street altercation, betrayal, and subsequent revenge. The song begins with the protagonist, King Von, reflecting on a botched robbery attempt where he was set up. He had planned to rob a wealthy individual with the help of a woman, but the plan went awry. While waiting at a red light, he gets a bad feeling and spots the man he intended to rob, who is unexpectedly with the woman that was supposed to help Von. The man opens fire, hitting Von in the shoulder. Wounded and with only one functional arm, Von struggles to drive and escape, unable to return fire. He realizes he's been double-crossed by the woman. The situation becomes even more perilous as he nearly crashes his car while being pursued. The chase ends when police lights appear, forcing both parties to flee in different directions, saving Von from the immediate danger.

A week later, with his arm in a sling, Von is recovering but consumed by thoughts of revenge. He learns the whereabouts of the woman who set him up. He finds her and, without hesitation, shoots her. Immediately after, he coincidentally sees the man who shot him driving by in his distinctive Porsche. Seizing the opportunity, Von opens fire on the man's car, shattering the glass. The man speeds away, and though Von continues to shoot, he is too far to be effective. The sound of approaching sirens forces Von to flee the scene and return to his neighborhood. Back in the safety of his block, he receives a text, presumably from an associate, and confirms his identity and affiliation, not with the rival '63rd' street, but with his own crew, reinforcing his loyalty and position after enacting his revenge. The story encapsulates a full circle of street justice, from being a victim of a setup to becoming the enforcer of his own brand of retribution.

"Crazy Story, Pt. 3" was released on September 13, 2019, as a single from King Von's mixtape Grandson, Vol. 1. The track was produced by Chopsquad DJ. It is the final installment of his 'Crazy Story' trilogy, which began with his debut single in 2018. The series was instrumental in establishing King Von as a prominent voice in Chicago's drill scene. King Von was known for writing his lyrics based on his real-life experiences, and the 'Crazy Story' series is often cited as a prime example of this autobiographical approach. He revealed in interviews that he would often formulate the entire story in his head before writing the lyrics, sometimes even without a beat, focusing on the narrative first. The song and its accompanying music video, directed by JMP and released on January 30, 2020, vividly bring this street narrative to life, showcasing Von's talent for cinematic storytelling. The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA on August 10, 2022.

"Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is characterized by King Von's conversational and narrative-driven flow, which dictates its rhyme and rhythm. The song is composed in a fast tempo, around 157 BPM, which contributes to the urgent and tense atmosphere of the track. The time signature is a standard 4/4.

The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal but relies heavily on couplets and internal rhymes to propel the story forward. Von often rhymes the end words of consecutive lines, creating a driving momentum. For instance, in the lines "Now it's midnight, I'm hittin' some blocks / Just me and my Glock, came to a stop," the rhyme of "blocks," "Glock," and "stop" creates a cohesive and rhythmic flow. He also employs slant rhymes and assonance, which gives his verses a more natural, less structured feel, akin to spoken-word storytelling.

The rhythm of his lyrical delivery is dynamic and syncopated against the drill beat. He often rushes ahead of the beat or lags slightly behind it, adding to the dramatic tension of the narrative. This interplay between his vocal rhythm and the instrumental creates a compelling and energetic listening experience that is a hallmark of his style.

King Von was celebrated for his storytelling abilities, and "Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is a prime example of his narrative prowess, employing several stylistic techniques:

• First-Person Narrative: The song is told entirely from Von's perspective, which immerses the listener directly into the tension and action of the story. This creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity.
• Cinematic Storytelling: Von constructs the song like a short film, with a clear plot, character development (of himself as the protagonist), rising action, a climax, and a resolution. He uses vivid imagery and detailed descriptions to paint a picture of the events.
• Dialogue and Direct Address: At times, Von seems to be directly addressing the listener or recounting the story to a friend, which makes the narrative more engaging and personal.
• Ad-libs and Sound Effects: Throughout the song, his ad-libs and the way he vocalizes actions (like gunshots) add a layer of auditory drama that enhances the storytelling.
• Drill Beat: The production by Chopsquad DJ features the characteristic elements of a drill beat—hard-hitting 808s, fast-paced hi-hats, and a menacing piano melody. This musical backdrop perfectly complements the gritty and aggressive nature of the lyrical content.
• Vocal Delivery: Von's delivery is animated and expressive. He changes his tone and cadence to match the events of the story, from the initial suspicion to the panic of being shot, and finally to the cold determination of his revenge.

"Crazy Story, Pt. 3," as part of the larger "Crazy Story" trilogy, played a significant role in cementing King Von's status as a major figure in the Chicago drill scene and one of hip-hop's most compelling storytellers before his untimely death. The series as a whole garnered massive viewership on YouTube and streaming platforms, with the original song being certified triple platinum and "Pt. 3" achieving platinum status. This popularity highlighted a renewed appreciation for narrative-driven rap, drawing comparisons to legendary storytellers like Slick Rick. The song was a standout track on his debut mixtape Grandson, Vol. 1, which helped to showcase his versatility as an artist. The vivid and often grim realism of his lyrics contributed to the ongoing conversation about the relationship between drill music and street violence. While celebrated for its artistic merit and authenticity, it also drew attention to the harsh realities of the environment that Von depicted. The 'Crazy Story' series remains a cornerstone of his legacy, exemplifying the unique talent for cinematic, autobiographical rap that set him apart from his peers.

King Von's lyrical style in "Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is more direct and narrative-driven than overtly symbolic, but it contains several elements that function metaphorically within the context of street life.

• The Porsche: The target's fancy car symbolizes wealth and status, the very things that make him a target for the initial robbery. It represents the high-stakes and materialistic motivations that often fuel street conflicts.
• The Double-Cross: The betrayal by the woman is a recurring theme in noir and gangster narratives, symbolizing the precariousness of trust in a criminal underworld. Her actions highlight the idea that danger can come from those you least expect and that alliances are often temporary and self-serving.
• "I'm not from 63rd": This recurring line is a declaration of allegiance and identity. In the geography of Chicago gangs, specific blocks and streets are territories. By disavowing "63rd," Von is asserting his loyalty to his own O Block faction and reinforcing the gang rivalries that are central to the drill scene.
• Randy Moss: The lyric "tryna get me cut like I'm Randy Moss" is a pop culture reference to the NFL player who was released from teams. Here, "cut" is slang for being killed or taken out. It's a clever metaphor for being betrayed and set up for a fall.

The most significant recurring element in "Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is the narrative itself, which is a continuation of the first two parts of the "Crazy Story" saga. This trilogy is a recurring motif in his early career, establishing his reputation as a storyteller.

Within the song, several phrases and ideas are repeated for emphasis:

• The setup: The realization that "that ho set me up, that little dirty slut" is a pivotal moment that is central to the song's plot and Von's motivation for revenge.
• The physical struggle: The line "I just dropped my gun, plus I got one arm, I'm tryna drive, I can't shoot back now" is repeated to emphasize his vulnerability and the desperation of his escape.
• Revenge: The second half of the song is dominated by the motif of revenge, as he hunts down and retaliates against those who wronged him.
• "Bitch, we not from 63rd": This declaration is a powerful recurring statement of identity and gang allegiance that concludes the song, serving as a defiant assertion of his origins and loyalty after settling the score.