All Talk

"All Talk" serves as a high-octane declaration of self-worth and a direct confrontation against the phoniness that often accompanies rising fame. At its core, the song is an exploration of authenticity versus facade. Midwxst uses the track to vent his frustrations about individuals who attempt to leech off his growing success or tear him down out of jealousy. The title itself encapsulates the central theme: his detractors and fake friends are entirely "all talk," lacking the action, loyalty, or genuine talent to back up their words.

Implicitly, the song delves into the isolating nature of sudden notoriety. Midwxst touches on the transition from being a regular teenager who felt misunderstood and out of place in a traditional classroom setting, to becoming a buzzed-about artist in the music industry. This rapid shift drastically changes the dynamics of his personal relationships, forcing him to become hyper-vigilant and protective of his inner circle. The lyrics balance aggressive, braggadocious flexing—counting money, staying in the studio, blowing up—with moments of genuine vulnerability, where he admits his heart is still healing from past betrayals. Ultimately, the message is one of empowerment: encouraging listeners to chase their passions fearlessly while cutting off the toxic, "all talk" individuals in their lives.

The narrative of midwxst's track centers on a rapid-fire, unapologetic declaration of his rising status and his absolute refusal to tolerate disrespect from those who contribute nothing but empty words. The artist opens the song by confessing to a newfound addiction—not to substances, but to his own success, financial growth, and the relentless pursuit of his ambitions. He calls out the people surrounding him who are actively creating fictional narratives and spreading rumors, asserting that while others might be distracted, he is entirely focused on his mission. He draws a firm line in the sand, warning his detractors that they do not want to make an enemy out of him. He is hyper-aware of his surroundings, always watching his back and staying on his toes, while remaining deeply loyal to his genuine friends and crew.

As the song progresses, midwxst acknowledges the jealousy that his rising fame has sparked. He knows that his peers are stalking his moves and secretly wishing they could emulate his trajectory. However, rather than letting this drag him down, he uses it as fuel, locking himself in the studio because reaching the very top is his only option. He compares his lyrical intensity to a fire-breathing dragon and embraces the 'madman' persona that society tries to project onto him. Alongside the boasts of cashing out at stores and stacking money, there is a profound promise of authenticity. He vehemently denies the accusations that wealth has changed him, promising that he will always remain the same person at his core, completely indifferent to the opinions of the masses.

In a poignant shift, the track also serves as a motivational anthem for his listeners. Midwxst encourages his audience to pursue their own passions and dreams today, without fear of judgment. He reflects on his own feelings of alienation, recounting how he felt like an outsider who didn't fit into the traditional classroom environment, choosing instead to forge his own path. Ultimately, the song is a harsh kiss-off to fair-weather friends who claim loyalty but won't be there when it truly matters. He sees through their transparent lies and fake smiles, recognizing that while his heart may still be healing from past betrayals, he is running toward his future at full speed, leaving the fakes and their empty talk far behind him.

"All Talk" was released as a single on August 25, 2021, serving as one of the lead tracks for midwxst's breakthrough EP, Back In Action (released via Geffen Records in September 2021). The song was crafted during a pivotal moment in midwxst's career, transitioning from an internet-born digicore artist to a mainstream-adjacent rapper.

The track features a powerhouse production lineup, co-produced by Elxnce, Starboy, OUTTATOWN, and midwxst himself. During the creation of the Back In Action EP, midwxst—born Edgar Nathaniel Sarratt III, who was an 18-year-old college student at the time—had a specific vision. He wanted to shift slightly away from the purely emotional, "sad" hyperpop songs that initially garnered him attention, aiming instead to create more rap-focused, high-energy music. His explicit goal for tracks like "All Talk" was to produce anthems that could be played at live shows to instigate mosh pits and allow the audience to release pent-up energy. A dynamic music video for the song, directed by Trey Lyons, was released simultaneously, further solidifying the track's vibrant and aggressive aesthetic.

The rhythmic structure of "All Talk" is intensely fast-paced, mirroring the chaotic yet laser-focused mindset of the artist. The track operates at a high tempo, driving the aggressive energy forward.

Lyrically, midwxst relies heavily on AABB and occasionally AAAA rhyme schemes, emphasizing perfect and slant end rhymes to create a punchy, staccato effect. For example, he chains together words with the "-iction" suffix (fiction / addiction / friction) to create a cascading rhythmic momentum. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is tight; midwxst's rapid syllables act as an additional percussive element, accentuating the snare hits and riding the bouncy 808s. This rhythmic complexity prevents the fast tempo from feeling overwhelming, instead making it highly danceable and mosh-pit ready.

Musically and lyrically, "All Talk" showcases the hallmarks of the digicore and hyperpop movements seamlessly blended with modern trap.

• Instrumental Arrangement: The beat features gummy, hyperactive synthesizer melodies paired with aggressive, distorted 808 basslines and rapid-fire trap hi-hats. This creates a kinetic, almost chaotic sonic environment.
• Vocal Delivery: Midwxst utilizes a versatile vocal style, rapidly switching between a melodic, auto-tuned croon and an aggressive, shouted rap flow. He frequently employs a syncopated triplet flow that perfectly locks into the fast-paced instrumental.
• Literary Techniques: He heavily utilizes direct address and rhetorical confrontation (e.g., "you talking about me got my name in your mouth") to create a combative, conversational tone that makes the listener feel directly involved in the conflict. There is also a strong use of assonance and rhythmic repetition to create infectious, memorable hooks.

"All Talk" played a significant role in midwxst's career trajectory, helping to solidify his transition from a niche, SoundCloud-based digicore artist into a formidable, mainstream-adjacent rapper signed to a major label (Geffen Records). The track was a standout on the highly praised Back In Action EP, which critics noted for its successful cocktail of street-ready bluster and raw, teenage emotion.

Culturally, the song encapsulates the ethos of the post-2020 internet rap scene: blending the abrasive electronics of hyperpop with the confident bravado of traditional hip-hop. "All Talk" became a massive fan-favorite and a staple in midwxst's live performances, perfectly fulfilling his vision of creating explosive tracks that incite mosh pits and high audience engagement during his national tours alongside artists like glaive and ericdoa.

Midwxst employs several potent metaphors throughout "All Talk" to illustrate his internal and external battles.

• The "Addiction": Rather than referring to substance abuse, midwxst flips the concept of addiction to symbolize his relentless drive for success and financial stability. It represents a consuming, obsessive focus on his craft that alienates those who aren't on the same wavelength.
• "Fire like a dragon": This simile is used to vividly describe the raw, destructive power of his lyrical delivery and his ability to completely obliterate his critics and competition on a track.
• The Classroom vs. The Studio: He uses the imagery of feeling "behind in my class in the bathroom" to symbolize his past feelings of alienation and not fitting into traditional societal structures. This is sharply juxtaposed with his current reality of being "locked in the studio," symbolizing that he has found his true sanctuary and purpose outside of the conventional path.
• Lies of Fiction: This metaphor addresses the fabricated narratives and gossip created by his haters, emphasizing the disconnect between his lived reality and the internet's perception of him.

Several motifs anchor the rapid-fire lyrics of the song:

• "All Talk" / Fake Friends: Although the exact phrase "all talk" is the title, the conceptual motif of "fakes," "lies," and people having his "name in their mouth" recurs constantly. This repetition reinforces his frustration with the artificiality of the people around him.
• Money and Success: Recurring imagery of counting money, going to the bank, and cashing out serves as a braggadocious counterweight to the negativity of his haters, proving that their words cannot stop his financial and artistic ascent.
• Staying the Same: The motif of authenticity ("no matter what I always be the same") acts as a grounding hook. Despite the recurring flexes of wealth, this repetition assures the listener that midwxst's core character remains uncorrupted by the industry.