white tee

“White Tee” by Lil Peep, featuring Lil Tracy, is a song that delves into themes of disillusionment with love, materialism as a coping mechanism, and the hedonistic yet hollow lifestyle of youth. The central narrative revolves around the protagonist's realization that he is not in love with a former partner, a sentiment bluntly stated in the opening lines. This emotional detachment is contrasted with a focus on external validation through fashion and wealth, symbolized by the titular “white tee,” Gucci apparel, and expensive jewelry. The song paints a picture of using a confident, flashy exterior to mask inner turmoil and emotional emptiness. The club setting serves as a backdrop for transient encounters and substance use, highlighting a lifestyle of fleeting pleasures. Lil Tracy's verse adds a layer of paranoia and a desire for loyalty amidst the chaos, as expressed in the line “The club goin' up, baby, will you hold me down?” Ultimately, “White Tee” is a reflection on the complexities of modern relationships, the search for genuine connection in a superficial world, and the adoption of a nihilistic yet boastful persona as a defense mechanism.

The song opens with a candid realization, a stark admission that a past declaration of love was untrue. The narrator now understands that the person they once thought they loved is not the one for them. This newfound clarity is juxtaposed with a flex of material possessions, mentioning “50 on my boxers” and the image of himself “shinin’ in my white tee.” This confidence, almost a shield, is presented as something effortless, as he claims, “I’ll make it look easy, believe me, we gucci.” The repetition of this sentiment underscores a desire to project an image of being untroubled and successful.

The narrative then shifts to a club scene, a common backdrop for modern rap storytelling. Here, the protagonist is with a “young punk bitch” who has fallen for him after seeing him in the club. This relationship is immediately intertwined with a darker, more self-destructive element, as he states, “Shawty fell in love, now she doin' all my drugs.” This line hints at a potentially toxic dynamic, where affection and substance use are blurred. The scene is one of hedonism and fleeting connections, further emphasized by the mention of another “drunk bitch” who also becomes infatuated. The club environment is a space of temporary highs and superficial interactions.

The chorus returns, reinforcing the central theme of disillusionment in love and the compensating bravado. The “white tee” becomes a symbol of this cool, detached persona. The verse featuring Lil Tracy (formerly Yung Bruh) introduces a slightly different, yet complementary, energy. He is in the club, with his eyes on a woman he intends to take home, envisioning a connection as seamless as “Wi-Fi.” The mention of “Yayo on the table, Gucci on my waist too” continues the theme of a lavish and dangerous lifestyle. Tracy’s verse adds a layer of paranoia and a need for protection, as he talks about carrying a “gemstone switchblade” to “be safe.” This reveals the underlying vulnerability beneath the confident exterior. The plea, “The club goin' up, baby, will you hold me down?” is a moment of seeking genuine support amidst the chaos.

The imagery of wealth and danger continues with “Hella ice on my wrists, he thought my wrists sprained,” a boast about expensive jewelry that could be mistaken for an injury. The line “I'm in your driveway, baby, let's skate” suggests an impulsive desire to escape, to move on from the current situation. This sense of transience is a recurring element in the song. The final repetition of the chorus brings the song full circle, reiterating the initial realization about the absence of true love and the reliance on a carefully constructed image of confidence and ease. The song, therefore, paints a picture of a young man navigating the complexities of relationships, fame, and self-worth, using material possessions and a detached attitude as a coping mechanism for deeper emotional turmoil.

“White Tee” was a significant track in Lil Peep's career as it marked his first collaboration with Lil Tracy (then known as Yung Bruh). The song was created on the very first day the two artists met. Lil Tracy, having recently been released from prison, was made aware of Lil Peep mentioning him in his EP “California Girls.” Intrigued and appreciative, Tracy connected with Peep's producer and friend, NEDARB, who arranged their meeting. The song was written and recorded on that same day. The producer for the track was NEDARB NAGROM, who heavily sampled “Such Great Heights” by the indie pop duo The Postal Service, adding his own hi-hats and 808s. The music video for “White Tee” was also shot on the same day they met, in front of Brennan Savage's garage. The video was filmed by Killstation in a single take. Following its release, the song quickly gained popularity, amassing hundreds of thousands of views and listens in a short period, which, as Lil Tracy noted in an interview, started an “avalanche” of attention for both artists. The track was released as a single on May 17, 2016, and was also included on Lil Peep's fourth mixtape, “Crybaby,” which was released on June 10, 2016.

“White Tee” features a relatively straightforward and conversational rhyme scheme that contributes to its accessible and direct emotional appeal. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent but often follows a pattern of couplets (AA, BB) within its verses, such as “true” and “you,” and “eyesight” and “Wi-Fi.” Lil Peep and Lil Tracy also employ slant rhymes (e.g., “down” and “sprained”) to maintain a natural flow and avoid forced-sounding lyrics. The rhythm of the song is largely dictated by the beat, which has a tempo of around 150 BPM. The vocal delivery from both artists is laid-back and often slightly behind the beat, creating a relaxed and somewhat lazy feel that aligns with the song's themes of apathy and nonchalance. This rhythmic interplay between the vocals and the instrumental creates a sense of tension and release, mirroring the emotional state of the narrator. The hi-hats provide a constant, driving rhythm, characteristic of trap music, which propels the song forward despite its melancholic and introspective lyrical content.

“White Tee” showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that define Lil Peep's signature emo-rap style.

• Musical Techniques: The song is built around a prominent sample of “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service, a classic indie-pop track. This sample provides a melodic and somewhat nostalgic backdrop, which is then juxtaposed with heavy 808 basslines and trap-style hi-hats, a hallmark of producer NEDARB's style and a defining characteristic of the emo-rap genre. Lil Peep's vocal delivery is melodic and has a drawling, almost nonchalant quality, which enhances the song's themes of apathy and detached coolness. There's a noticeable use of reverb on the vocals, creating a sense of space and distance, which complements the song's introspective and melancholic mood.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics utilize a direct and conversational narrative voice, making the emotions and scenarios feel personal and immediate. There is a strong use of repetition, particularly in the chorus, which serves as a hook and reinforces the central themes of lost love and feigned confidence. The song also employs contemporary slang and cultural references (e.g., “Gucci,” “Wi-Fi”) that ground it in a specific youthful milieu. The contrast between the emotional vulnerability of the lyrics (“I used to think I love you, now I know it ain't true”) and the boastful materialism (“shinin' in my white tee”) creates a compelling irony that runs through the entire track.

“White Tee” holds a significant place in Lil Peep's discography and the emo-rap subgenre he helped pioneer. The song's release was a pivotal moment, marking the first collaboration between Lil Peep and Lil Tracy, a partnership that would become central to the GothBoiClique collective and produce many more influential tracks. The song's immediate popularity upon release demonstrated the burgeoning appeal of their unique blend of hip-hop, emo, and indie rock influences. The track’s sample of The Postal Service's “Such Great Heights” is often cited as a prime example of Lil Peep's ability to bridge genres and introduce indie music to a new generation of listeners. While not a mainstream chart-topper in the traditional sense, “White Tee” became an anthem within the underground and SoundCloud rap scenes, solidifying Lil Peep's status as a leading figure in the movement. Its lo-fi music video, shot in a single take, further enhanced its raw and authentic appeal. The song remains a fan favorite and is often pointed to as an essential Lil Peep track, embodying the style and emotional themes that defined his tragically short but impactful career.

The song “White Tee” employs several symbolic elements and metaphors to convey its themes of disillusionment, bravado, and a hedonistic lifestyle.

• The White Tee: The most prominent symbol is the “white tee” itself. It represents a facade of simplicity, coolness, and effortless confidence. By “shinin' in my white tee,” Lil Peep projects an image of being unbothered and stylish, using the simple garment as a shield for his more complex and likely turbulent inner emotions.
• Luxury Brands (Gucci, “50 on my boxers”): The mention of high-end brands like Gucci and boasting about expensive underwear serves as a classic hip-hop trope symbolizing success and wealth. However, in the context of the song's melancholic undertones, it also points to materialism as a coping mechanism, a way to fill an emotional void left by the absence of genuine love.
• “Connect like Wi-Fi”: This is a modern metaphor for an instant and easy connection, likely physical, with a woman from the club. It highlights the transient and often superficial nature of the relationships described in the song, contrasting with the deeper, more complex connection he now realizes he lacks.
• Gemstone Switchblade: Lil Tracy’s “gemstone switchblade” is a powerful symbol of duality. It’s a weapon, indicating danger, paranoia, and the need for self-preservation in his environment. However, its description as a “gemstone” switchblade adds a layer of glamour and flashiness, perfectly encapsulating the blend of violence and style that permeates their world.
• “Hella ice on my wrists, he thought my wrists sprained”: This is a metaphor for wearing an excessive amount of diamonds (“ice”). The comparison to a sprained wrist cleverly illustrates the sheer weight and visibility of his jewelry, reinforcing the theme of ostentatious wealth.

The most significant recurring phrase in “White Tee” is the chorus: “I used to think I love you, now I know it ain't true / Now I know it's not you / Bitch, I know you see me, shinin' in my white tee, it's easy / I'll make it look easy, believe me, we gucci.” This hook is repeated multiple times throughout the song and serves as its central thesis, encapsulating the themes of romantic disillusionment and the projection of an effortless, cool persona. The repetition drills this emotional state into the listener's mind. Another recurring motif is the imagery of a hedonistic and drug-fueled lifestyle, with lines like “Shawty fell in love, now she doin' all my drugs” and “Yayo on the table.” This motif paints a picture of the environment in which the artists are navigating their feelings. The idea of being in a “club” also recurs, framing the song's narrative within a space of fleeting social interactions and superficial connections. Finally, the motif of material wealth as a signifier of success and a potential emotional crutch appears in various forms, from the “Gucci on my waist” to the “Hella ice on my wrists.”