Did It Again
Lil Tecca
Song Information
Song Meaning
"Did It Again" by Lil Tecca is an audacious and vibrant track that serves as a testament to the young rapper's sudden rise to stardom. The song's meaning revolves around themes of success, wealth, and the confident swagger that comes with achieving one's goals. Tecca uses the lyrics to paint a picture of a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury items, international travel, and the company of women. It's an unapologetic celebration of his accomplishments, where he repeatedly emphasizes his winning streak and ability to succeed time and time again—he "did it again." The song also acts as a message to his detractors and competitors, highlighting how they are watching his every move while he continues to ascend in the music industry. He advises them to focus on their own endeavors, suggesting that their preoccupation with his success will lead to their own failure. There's a strong sense of self-assurance, as Tecca states he doesn't need to prove himself to anyone, being content with his own achievements.
Lyrics Analysis
The song is a celebration of a young artist's rapid ascent to fame and fortune. It opens with a bold declaration of his success, both in his career and with women, using the metaphor of getting a "pack" and immediately doing it again to signify continuous wins. He boasts about his wealth, with casual mentions of having enough money to fly to France and taking care of his friends. There's a recurring theme of outsmarting and surpassing rivals. He dismisses physical altercations, suggesting his victories are strategic. Even when he takes a rare loss, he bounces back stronger, comparing it to upgrading from a crashed Ferrari to a Mercedes-Benz.
A significant portion of the narrative is dedicated to addressing his haters and onlookers. He finds it amusing how closely people watch his every move, advising them to focus on their own progress because their obsession with his success will ultimately be their downfall. He asserts his unshakeable confidence, stating he has nothing to prove to anyone because he's content with himself. This message is aimed at those who criticize from the sidelines without being in the game themselves. He expresses a desire to share his success with his family, planning to fly his parents to Japan and connect with his crew, whom he refers to as 'NBM' (Niggas Be Mad).
The second verse continues this display of dominance and luxury. He talks about his designer clothes and how he can command high prices for a feature on a track. He emphasizes his relentless work ethic, claiming he was grinding while others were sleeping. The lyrics touch on the idea of staying true to oneself amidst criticism. He acknowledges that while he raps about certain lifestyle elements, it's part of the musical persona and shouldn't be taken literally, drawing a parallel to how having a gun doesn't automatically make someone a gangster. He concludes by reaffirming his winning streak and his cool, composed demeanor in the face of challenges, using the imagery of being 'cool like a fan'. The song is a confident and repetitive anthem of a young artist who has achieved success and is enjoying the fruits of his labor while brushing off negativity.
History of Creation
"Did It Again" was released on July 24, 2019, as a single from Lil Tecca's debut mixtape, We Love You Tecca. Interestingly, the song was initially released as a single on January 21, 2019, but was re-released in July after the massive success of his breakout hit, "Ransom". The track was produced by Nick Mira and Taz Taylor of the Internet Money collective, who were also behind the production of "Ransom". It was recorded at Nick Mira's studio in Richmond, Virginia. According to Tecca, "Did It Again" was created during the same studio sessions as "Ransom." He has mentioned that he often has trouble naming his songs and the title for this one came to him after listening to the completed track five times; he thought to himself, "did it again," and the name stuck. In a 'Verified' interview with Genius, Lil Tecca explained that the song was made in January 2019 and that the producers, Taz Taylor and Nick Mira, created a vibe in the studio with loud speakers that helped him get into the track, which starts with a distinct bass and pianos.
Symbolism and Metaphors
The lyrics of "Did It Again" are rich with braggadocio and metaphors that symbolize Lil Tecca's newfound success and wealth. The opening line, "I got a pack, hit 'em and do it again," can be interpreted as a metaphor for his musical success, where a "pack" represents a hit song that he can consistently produce. His lavish lifestyle is symbolized by references to flying to France and upgrading from a crashed Ferrari to a Benz, showcasing his ability to bounce back from any setback with even greater success. The act of flying his parents to Japan is a symbol of him sharing his wealth and success with his family. Tecca also uses the metaphor of people "hating from the bench" to describe his critics, implying they are not active participants in the 'game' of life or the music industry and therefore their opinions are irrelevant.
Emotional Background
The predominant emotional tone of "Did It Again" is one of youthful confidence and unapologetic pride. The song radiates a positive and triumphant atmosphere, driven by its upbeat tempo and Tecca's celebratory lyrics about his success. There is a strong sense of defiance and self-assurance as he dismisses his critics and asserts his own worth. While the lyrics are boastful, the overall feel is more joyful and aspirational than aggressive. It captures the exhilarating feeling of achieving success at a young age and enjoying the rewards that come with it. The melodic and almost playful nature of the beat, combined with Tecca's smooth vocal delivery, prevents the bragging from sounding overly arrogant, instead creating an atmosphere of carefree celebration.
Cultural Influence
"Did It Again" was a significant song in establishing Lil Tecca's presence in the mainstream following his viral hit "Ransom". The song debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 64, marking his second entry on the prestigious chart. It also charted in other countries, including Canada, Ireland, and the UK. The track was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA, signifying over two million units in sales and streaming in the United States. The music video, which debuted on WorldStarHipHop, has garnered over 78 million views as of January 2022, further cementing its popularity. The song is featured on his successful debut mixtape, We Love You Tecca, which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200. While not as massive as "Ransom," "Did It Again" played a crucial role in solidifying Lil Tecca's status as a prominent new artist in the hip-hop scene and not just a one-hit-wonder.
Rhyme and Rhythm
The rhyme scheme in "Did It Again" is relatively straightforward, primarily relying on couplets and simple end rhymes, which contributes to its catchy and memorable quality. The chorus, for example, uses an AABB-like structure with rhymes such as "again" and "friend," and "France" and "mans." This simple rhyme scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. The rhythm of the song is driven by a mid-tempo trap beat with prominent hi-hats and a deep 808 bass. Lil Tecca's vocal delivery often plays with the rhythm, sometimes flowing directly with the beat and at other times lagging slightly behind it, creating a relaxed and confident vibe. This interplay between his melodic, auto-tuned vocals and the rhythmic trap instrumental is a hallmark of his musical style and is central to the song's overall feel.
Stylistic Techniques
"Did It Again" showcases several of Lil Tecca's signature stylistic techniques. Musically, the song is rooted in the melodic subgenre of trap and cloud rap, characterized by a catchy, synth-driven melody over a prominent 808 bassline, a style heavily influenced by producers Nick Mira and Taz Taylor of Internet Money. Tecca's vocal delivery is a key element; he employs a laid-back, almost nonchalant flow with a noticeable use of Auto-Tune to create a smooth, melodic texture. This delivery contrasts with the confident and boastful nature of his lyrics. Lyrically, the song relies heavily on repetition and a catchy hook, which is a common feature in modern hip-hop to ensure memorability. He uses hyperbole to emphasize his wealth and success, such as wanting a grand for a feature. The narrative is delivered from a first-person perspective, giving the listener a direct insight into his mindset of confidence and ambition.
Emotions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Lil Tecca - Did It Again' about?
'Did It Again' is a song by Lil Tecca that celebrates his rapid rise to fame and success in the music industry. The lyrics focus on themes of wealth, luxury, and confidence, while also addressing his critics and haters.
When was 'Did It Again' by Lil Tecca released?
The song was officially re-released as a single on July 24, 2019, and was featured on his debut mixtape 'We Love You Tecca'. It was initially released earlier on January 21, 2019.
Who produced 'Did It Again' by Lil Tecca?
The song was produced by the Internet Money producers Nick Mira and Taz Taylor, along with E-Trou.
What genre is 'Lil Tecca - Did It Again'?
'Did It Again' is primarily a Hip-Hop/Trap song with elements of Cloud Rap and Melodic Rap, which is characteristic of Lil Tecca's musical style.
How did 'Did It Again' perform on the charts?
The song peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. It also charted in several other countries, including Canada and the UK.
What does the line 'I got a pack, hit 'em and do it again' mean?
This line is a metaphor for his consistent success in music. The 'pack' can be interpreted as a hit song or a successful project, and he is stating his ability to consistently create them one after another.
What is the meaning behind Lil Tecca's 'NBM' reference in 'Did It Again'?
In the song, Lil Tecca clarifies that 'NBM' stands for 'Niggas Be Mad,' which is a direct address to his haters and a reflection of the envy he perceives from others due to his success.