Annihilate - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

"Annihilate" serves as a powerful anthem of empowerment, confidence, and the realization of one's own potential, perfectly tailored to the narrative of Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The song's core meaning revolves around stepping into one's own universe—a mental and spiritual space where fear is non-existent and one's capabilities are limitless. Each artist adopts the persona of Spider-Man to explore themes of resilience, determination, and the sheer force of will required to overcome adversity. The title, "Annihilate," refers not to literal destruction, but to the act of utterly defeating self-doubt, external threats, and any obstacles standing in the way of one's goals. The lyrics convey a journey of coming into one's own, feeling unstoppable, and being ready to face any challenge head-on. It's a celebration of self-reliance and the power that comes from creating and owning your personal world.

The song opens with a declaration of newfound clarity and existence in a different dimension, a space where fear holds no power. The central figure, empowered and resolute, prepares to “suit up and swing through the city.” This act of annihilation is not one of destruction, but of decisively overcoming obstacles with a wide-eyed awareness, demanding space to operate within their own self-defined world and universe. This sentiment is a powerful, recurring theme of self-reliance and focus.

The first verse, delivered by Lil Wayne, immediately dives into the Spider-Man persona, explicitly comparing himself to Peter Parker and dismissing any rivals as mere “creepy crawlers.” The imagery is rich with superhero and luxury motifs: a new Ferrari Spider, a spider-web diamond necklace, and the power to turn a companion into Spider-Woman. He exhibits a dismissive confidence, refusing to engage in pointless disputes and referencing the Black Widow, perhaps as a dangerous but alluring partner. The verse culminates in a display of ultimate power, giving opponents “arachnophobia” and boasting about his long-held potency, tracing his power back to an “itsy bitsy spider” origin, now grown into something formidable that crawls out of his enemies' mouths—a metaphor for his lyrical dominance.

Swae Lee’s chorus returns, reinforcing the core message of being in a fearless, elevated state of existence, a personal universe where he is in complete control.

Offset takes the next verse, describing a state of intense focus and destiny. He identifies as “chosen,” “golden,” and “stronger,” fully committed to his missions with the persistence of a soldier. He speaks of conquering the game and achieving global recognition, causing his enemies to be passed over. This success was hard-won; it required intelligence, heart, and constant vigilance against the “evil and dark.” His journey to the top was a conscious and strategic one. He knows how to defeat his opponents and lives life moment by moment, always prepared for the next challenge.

Another verse from Swae Lee builds on this momentum. He describes a feeling of being overtaken by a powerful force, leading him to achieve great things (“hit a lot”). He sends a clear message to his enemies that he is relentless. He feels unshakable, broadcasting his success to his community and feeling unstoppable. This feeling is described as his senses being heightened, allowing him to shoot his shot without missing and to always go the distance. Nothing can break him down now as he and his crew make their presence known to the whole town. The track concludes with a dialogue snippet from the film, grounding the song directly in the Spider-Verse narrative, welcoming the listener to the “Spider Society.”

"Annihilate" was created as the opening track for the soundtrack of the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, released on June 2, 2023. The soundtrack was executive produced by renowned producer Metro Boomin, who had previously hinted at his affinity for superhero themes with his 2018 album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, making him a natural fit for the project. The song is a major collaboration, featuring Metro Boomin alongside Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, and Offset. The production was a joint effort by Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, and Prince 85. These producers, along with the performing artists and songwriter Jocelyn "Jozzy" Donald, are credited as writers. The creation involved blending Metro's signature trap drums and samples with Mike Dean's distinctive synthesizers, creating a cinematic and futuristic soundscape that complements the film's multiversal story. The song also features dialogue samples from the movie, including lines from characters voiced by Shameik Moore (Miles Morales) and Hailee Steinfeld (Gwen Stacy), which directly ties the track to the film's narrative of Miles discovering the "Spider Society".

"Annihilate" is built on a foundation of a driving trap rhythm, characterized by a tempo of approximately 146 BPM. This fast tempo, combined with Metro Boomin's dynamic drum programming, creates a sense of urgency and action that mirrors the film's energetic sequences. The rhythmic structure is complex, with each rapper employing their signature flow, creating a varied and engaging listening experience. Swae Lee's chorus provides a melodic, smoother rhythmic contrast to the more intricate and aggressive verses.

The rhyme schemes are typical of modern hip-hop, favoring complex multi-syllabic and internal rhymes over simple end rhymes. For instance, in Lil Wayne's verse, he masterfully rhymes "Peter Parker" with "creepy crawler" and connects a series of spider-related words: "spider," "lighter," and "bite her." Offset's verse showcases his mastery of the triplet flow, where he fits three syllables into the space of two, creating a distinctive, rolling rhythm. This interplay between the steady, hard-hitting beat and the varied, complex vocal rhythms of the artists is a key element of the song's dynamic and powerful feel.

"Annihilate" showcases a powerful fusion of musical and literary techniques that define its energetic and confident tone.

• Musical Production: The song is built on a foundation of Metro Boomin's signature trap style, characterized by heavy 808 bass, crisp snares, and a dark, atmospheric melody. This is layered with Mike Dean's cinematic synthesizers, which add a futuristic and sci-fi texture befitting the film's aesthetic. The beat is described as "action-packed" and provides a high-energy backdrop for the vocalists. The track also incorporates samples from the film itself, enhancing its connection to the source material.
• Vocal Delivery: Each artist brings a distinct stylistic approach. Swae Lee delivers the chorus with his signature high-pitched, melodic vocals, creating an angelic and catchy hook that contrasts with the aggressive verses. Lil Wayne employs his famously raspy voice and intricate wordplay, packing his verse with clever internal rhymes and spider-themed punchlines. Offset utilizes his well-known triplet flow, delivering his lines with a rhythmic, percussive aggression that emphasizes his confidence and competitive nature.
• Lyrical Theme and Persona: The song employs a consistent thematic voice where each rapper fully commits to the superhero persona. This narrative consistency, filled with direct references to Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and associated imagery, creates a cohesive and immersive experience that elevates the track beyond a simple collection of verses.

"Annihilate" was released as a key track from the highly anticipated soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, executive produced by Metro Boomin. The soundtrack itself was part of a growing trend of major hip-hop artists curating companion albums for blockbuster films, following in the footsteps of projects like Kendrick Lamar's work for Black Panther. As the opening track, "Annihilate" set the tone for the entire album and was praised for its energetic feel and thematic relevance to the movie. The song achieved significant chart success, reaching #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #30 on the Billboard Global 200. Its popularity was bolstered by an animated lyric video. The collaboration of major artists like Lil Wayne, Offset, and Swae Lee with a top-tier producer like Metro Boomin created a cultural moment within both the hip-hop community and the film's massive fanbase, solidifying the deep connection between contemporary rap music and the modern superhero genre.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors directly tied to the Spider-Man mythos, used to explore broader themes of power, identity, and ambition.

• The Spider-Man Persona: Each artist channels the essence of Spider-Man, using him as the central metaphor for their own strength, agility, and uniqueness. Lil Wayne's line, "I'm 'bout to go Peter Parker," is an explicit adoption of this identity, symbolizing a transformation into a more powerful, heroic version of himself.
• "My Own Universe/World": This recurring phrase is a metaphor for achieving a state of complete self-reliance and mental fortitude. It represents a personal reality where the protagonist sets the rules, free from the fears and limitations of the outside world. It's a symbol of creative and personal sovereignty.
• Spider/Web Imagery: Lil Wayne heavily employs spider-related metaphors, such as a "spider web necklace with the diamonds" and giving an opponent "arachnophobia." These images symbolize wealth, danger, and the intricate, inescapable trap of his lyrical skill and influence. Mentioning Black Widow also plays on this theme of dangerous, spider-like figures.
• "Swinging through the city": This is a direct reference to Spider-Man's mode of transport, but it metaphorically represents navigating life's challenges with freedom, confidence, and a unique style that sets them apart from everyone else on the ground.

The most significant recurring element in "Annihilate" is the chorus, delivered by Swae Lee, which serves as the song's thematic anchor. The lines, "I'm in my own world, give me space / I'm in my own universe, give me space," are repeated multiple times. This repetition emphasizes the central theme of self-sovereignty and the need for independence to operate at one's highest potential. It functions as a powerful declaration of confidence and focus.

Another key recurring phrase is "I just came to my senses," which opens the chorus. This line establishes the narrative of awakening or enlightenment that runs through the song—a moment of clarity where fear disappears and purpose becomes clear. The idea of being in "another dimension" where "fear is non-existent" is also a crucial recurring motif that reinforces the superhero theme and the mental state of being untouchable and superior to one's challenges. These repeated phrases and motifs work together to create a cohesive and memorable anthem of empowerment.