witchblades

"Witchblades" is a raw and unapologetic anthem of the emo-rap subculture, encapsulating themes of alienation, mental health struggles, hedonism, and a nihilistic embrace of a self-destructive lifestyle. The song portrays a world where pain and pleasure are intertwined, and where affiliation with a group, the GothBoiClique, provides a sense of identity and belonging in the face of social rejection. Lil Tracy's lyrics about being a "loner" and "reject" in high school, coupled with his mention of being bipolar, ground the song in real-world adolescent angst and mental health issues. The repeated references to "switchblades, cocaine" and the desire to be buried with their jewelry ("all my ice on") reflect a defiant materialism and a fascination with a glamorous, yet tragic, demise. The title itself, a portmanteau of "witchcraft" and "switchblades," suggests a blend of the occult and violence, further enhancing the song's dark and edgy aesthetic. Ultimately, "witchblades" is a snapshot of a particular youth experience, one defined by a mixture of bravado and vulnerability, and a search for meaning in a world that feels alienating.

The song opens with Lil Peep’s repetitive and hypnotic chorus, establishing a dark and hedonistic atmosphere. He lists “Switchblades, cocaine” as core elements of his lifestyle, immediately associating the GothBoiClique with a dangerous and edgy image. The imagery of “Black fur, black coat” and being “in the back, ho” paints a picture of a shadowy, exclusive collective. The refrain “GothBoiClique ‘til my soul take” serves as a declaration of unwavering loyalty to his group, suggesting this identity is integral to his very being, until death. The mention of “Black jeans, half black hoes” and the “GothBoiClique in the castle” further builds on the aesthetic of a modern, gothic royalty, secluded and indulging in their own world.

Lil Tracy’s verse delves into his personal struggles and feelings of alienation. He reflects on his high school experience, describing himself as a “loner,” a “reject,” and a “poser.” This confession of social inadequacy is followed by a candid admission of his mental health issues with the line, “Multiple personalities, I’m bipolar.” Despite his internal turmoil, he claims to have good intentions, even while acknowledging his path seems destined for damnation (“I swear, I mean well, I’m still goin’ to hell”). The verse then shifts into a more mystical and romanticized depiction of his self-destruction. “Witchcraft, love chants” and being put into a “trance” suggest a surrender to darker forces, perhaps as a coping mechanism or a form of escapism. The desire for “cocaine all night long” reinforces the theme of substance abuse as a constant in his life. His final wish, “When I die, bury me with all my ice on,” is a powerful statement of wanting to maintain his lavish, rebellious image even in death, a common trope in hip-hop that takes on a more somber tone here.

Lil Peep echoes Tracy’s sentiment about a gilded death, repeating the line, “When I die, bury me with all my ice on.” However, he adds a layer of vulnerability and intimacy to this macabre fantasy. He requests to be buried “without the lights on,” a desire for darkness and perhaps peace. The lines “Lights off, nightlights, Clothes off, baby, I got good white” juxtapose the darkness of death with moments of intimacy and drug use. This blend of the morbid and the sensual is a hallmark of his style.

Lil Tracy’s second, shorter verse continues this theme of complicated intimacy. He offers a trade of secrets, a moment of potential connection amidst the chaos (“Tell me a secret and I’ll tell one of mines”). Yet, this is immediately undercut by a weariness of conflict (“I just wanna talk, I don’t wanna fight”) and a cynical take on emotional honesty. When asked if he’s alright, he rhetorically asks, “do you want me to lie?” This line poignantly captures the difficulty of expressing genuine feelings in an environment steeped in performance and emotional defense mechanisms. The song then returns to Peep’s chorus, reinforcing the cyclical and inescapable nature of the lifestyle they describe.

"Witchblades" was released on February 7, 2017, as part of the collaborative EP "CASTLES II" by Lil Peep and Lil Tracy. The track was produced by Big Head and Yung Cortex. The song was recorded on February 1, 2017. The production notably features a sample from the song "The Real You" by the rock band Three Days Grace, which gives "witchblades" its distinctive guitar-driven melody. The use of this sample is a clear indicator of Lil Peep's and Lil Tracy's emo and alternative rock influences, which they famously blended with hip-hop and trap elements. The official music video, shot by Metro Blu, was released on February 28, 2017, and its raw, VHS-style aesthetic perfectly complemented the song's gritty and authentic vibe. The song became a fan favorite and was later included on Lil Peep's posthumous compilation album, "Everybody's Everything," released in 2019.

The rhyme scheme in "witchblades" is relatively straightforward, which contributes to its catchy and memorable quality. The chorus primarily uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme (shake/take, coat/hoes). Lil Tracy's verse employs a mix of couplets (loner/poser) and near rhymes. The rhythm of the song is driven by the trap beat, with a steady tempo that encourages head-nodding. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key feature. Lil Peep's delivery in the chorus is more drawn out and melodic, while Lil Tracy's verses have a more staccato, percussive feel that rides the beat. This contrast adds a dynamic quality to the track. The song is written in the key of G Minor.

"Witchblades" showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that define the emo-rap genre.

• Musical Style: The song is built around a prominent sample of Three Days Grace's "The Real You," which provides a melancholic and rock-infused melodic backbone. This is layered with trap-influenced 808 basslines and hi-hats, a signature of producers Big Head and Yung Cortex. Lil Peep's vocal delivery is a mix of melodic singing and a more aggressive, shouted chorus, conveying both sadness and anger. Lil Tracy's verses have a more conversational and rhythmic flow.
• Lyrical Style: The lyrics are characterized by their directness and confessional nature, particularly in Lil Tracy's verse about his personal struggles. The use of repetition in the chorus ("Switchblades, cocaine") creates a hypnotic and memorable hook. There's a strong sense of authenticity and rawness in the lyrical content, avoiding overly complex metaphors in favor of stark, imagistic statements. The narrative voice is one of disillusioned youth, simultaneously embracing and lamenting their lifestyle.

"Witchblades" is considered one of the quintessential songs of the SoundCloud emo-rap era and a signature track for both Lil Peep and Lil Tracy. Its fusion of rock and hip-hop, characterized by the prominent Three Days Grace sample, was groundbreaking and influenced many artists who followed. The song's raw emotional honesty and its unapologetic depiction of mental health struggles, drug use, and alienation resonated deeply with a generation of young listeners who felt misunderstood by the mainstream. The music video's lo-fi, DIY aesthetic also became a stylistic touchstone for the underground scene. "Witchblades" has amassed hundreds of millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, cementing its status as an enduring anthem of its genre. The song was also included on the official soundtrack for the documentary about Lil Peep's life, "Everybody's Everything," further solidifying its importance in his musical legacy.

The lyrics of "witchblades" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its dark and complex emotional landscape.

• Witchblades/Switchblades: The song's title and recurring lyric "switchblades" symbolize a sharp-edged, dangerous lifestyle. While the lyric is "switchblades," the title "witchblades" is likely an artistic choice to evoke a connection to witchcraft and the occult, a theme Lil Tracy alludes to with "witchcraft, love chants." This duality represents both physical danger and a more supernatural, dark allure.
• Cocaine: The repeated mention of "cocaine" symbolizes a hedonistic and self-destructive escapism. It represents a way to numb emotional pain and fuel the high-energy, nihilistic lifestyle portrayed in the song.
• GothBoiClique in the castle: This phrase metaphorically represents the artists' self-imposed isolation and creation of their own world. The "castle" is a sanctuary, a place where their collective identity is celebrated, away from the judgment of mainstream society.
• Bury me with all my ice on: This is a powerful metaphor for the desire to maintain one's identity and status even in death. It speaks to a yearning for a legacy, however materialistic, and a refusal to be forgotten or to have one's life's struggles and triumphs erased.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's themes and structure:

• "Switchblades, cocaine": This phrase, repeated in the chorus, is the central motif of the song, encapsulating the dangerous and hedonistic lifestyle being portrayed.
• "GothBoiClique": The repeated mention of their collective is a declaration of loyalty and identity. It functions as a brand and a statement of belonging for a group of outsiders.
• "When I die, bury me with all my ice on": This recurring line, delivered by both Lil Tracy and Lil Peep, is a key thematic statement about materialism, legacy, and a glamorous death. Its repetition emphasizes its importance to their worldview.
• "Witchcraft, love chants": This phrase, from Lil Tracy's verse, introduces a mystical and occult element, adding a layer of dark romanticism to their narrative of self-destruction.