Tic Tac Toe

The overarching meaning of "Tic Tac Toe" revolves around self-preservation, independence, and the transition into adulthood within the music industry. midwxst uses the track as a metaphorical victory lap, shaking off the negativity of people who doubted him while celebrating his recent milestones.

The central theme focuses on the concept of "playing games." The title itself suggests that the people around him treat relationships and loyalty like a disposable game of Tic Tac Toe. In response, midwxst takes a defiant stance, making it clear that he refuses to be played or manipulated. He is hyper-focused on his grind, actively separating himself from two-faced individuals who only seek to leech off his growing popularity.

Implicitly, the song captures the intense pressure of rising fame at a young age. By weaving childhood references—such as Pikachu and Perry the Platypus—into a trap-heavy, aggressive beat, midwxst illustrates the jarring contrast between his youth and the adult responsibilities he now faces. Ultimately, the song is a powerful statement of self-worth, where dismissing fake friends is framed not just as a defensive mechanism, but as a crucial step toward achieving his dreams.

The narrative of the song centers around a young artist's aggressive and triumphant declaration of self-worth and independence. The protagonist begins by detailing his fast-paced lifestyle, staying alert ('on his toes') and leaving behind those who do too much while accomplishing little. He speaks of celebrating his successes and hitting the road with unstoppable momentum. The imagery transitions into boasts of wealth and status, comparing his yellow jewelry or possessions to Pikachu, symbolizing his shining, electrifying presence. He asserts his relentless work ethic, emphasizing that he never misses his mark and will never quit. He makes a solemn promise to himself to succeed without failure, highlighting that his style and authenticity are strictly 'not for sale.'

As the narrative progresses, the protagonist calls out the lies and fabricated stories of his detractors. He portrays himself as a strategic leader, a 'coach calling plays,' while others sleep in and waste their days. He highlights his continuous grind, working tirelessly like he is 'in a cave.' A notable shift occurs when he playfully compares his ability to disappear from fake people to Perry the Platypus, mocking those who are jealous of his rising status. He confidently states that he pushes out music like a well-oiled machine.

Drawing on powerful cultural figures, he aligns his ambition with having a grand dream like Martin Luther King Jr., and he boasts of his precision and skill by comparing himself to the late Kobe Bryant. He dismisses those who falsely claim to be his friends, reminding them that they are not 'homies.' He reflects on the grounding advice his mother gave him, keeping him focused on his goals despite the distractions of university life and the music industry. The song concludes with a firm rejection of those who treat their interactions like 'playing games,' reiterating that he has outgrown them and that there is no going back to the way things were.

"Tic Tac Toe" was released on August 11, 2021, serving as the second promotional single for midwxst's highly anticipated EP, BACK IN ACTION. The track was entirely produced by vvspipes (Michael Pieper), a beatmaker with whom midwxst shared a long and deeply rooted collaborative history.

According to midwxst, he and vvspipes used to make music together when they both had fewer than 1,000 followers on Instagram. After vvspipes secured a major signing with the powerhouse production collective Internet Money, he sent midwxst a new package of beats. Upon hearing the instrumental for "Tic Tac Toe," midwxst immediately connected with the chaotic, 140-BPM energy, stating, "I heard the beat and I was like, 'f***, I gotta use it'."

The creation of the track was heavily inspired by midwxst's desire to craft high-energy, rap-focused music that would translate perfectly to live performances and ignite mosh pits. Released under Simple Stupid and Geffen Records, the song also received a major visual push. The accompanying music video, directed by the renowned underground videographer DotComNirvan, famously blended live-action footage with frenetic, hand-drawn animation, cementing the song as a visual and auditory staple of the 2021 digicore movement.

The rhythmic structure of "Tic Tac Toe" is one of its most defining features, clocking in at a blistering 140 BPM. This fast tempo dictates a frantic, forward-leaning momentum.

midwxst primarily utilizes an AABB and occasional AAAA rhyme scheme, relying heavily on perfect end rhymes (e.g., fail/sale/tell/pale and homie/show me/told me/roll me). This predictable, punchy rhyming pattern allows the listener to latch onto the lyrics despite the breakneck speed of the delivery.

The rhythm of the vocals frequently contrasts with the instrumental. Midwxst often uses rapid triplet flows that dance over the stuttering hi-hats, and he employs sudden rhythmic pauses—dropping the beat out completely for a fraction of a second—to emphasize punchlines. The interplay between his breathless, staccato vocal rhythm and the booming, sustained 808s creates a highly dynamic and engaging sonic environment.

"Tic Tac Toe" is a masterclass in the stylistic conventions of the digicore and hyperpop genres, infused with heavy trap elements.

Musically, the song is driven by heavily distorted, blown-out 808 bass lines, glitchy synthesizer arpeggios, and frantic, syncopated hi-hat rolls. The instrumental arrangement intentionally feels chaotic, perfectly mirroring the adrenaline-fueled mindset of the lyrics. midwxst utilizes auto-tune not merely for pitch correction, but as a deliberate vocal effect to give his voice a sharp, robotic, yet deeply expressive texture.

From a literary perspective, midwxst relies heavily on similes ("like I'm a machine," "like my name is Perry") to rapid-fire his stream-of-consciousness thoughts. He employs intense alliteration and internal rhyming to maintain his breathless flow. The juxtaposition of aggressive, braggadocious rap delivery with nerdy, nostalgic Gen-Z references is a defining stylistic technique that makes the track feel deeply personal and authentic to the internet-native generation.

"Tic Tac Toe" played a significant role in bringing the underground digicore movement to a broader audience. As one of the standout tracks from the BACK IN ACTION EP, it proved that internet-born microgenres could thrive under a major label (Geffen Records) without losing their DIY, chaotic edge.

The song's music video, directed by DotComNirvan, became a massive cultural touchstone within the underground rap and hyperpop scenes. Its innovative blend of live-action footage and frantic animation inspired numerous other artists and videographers in the space. Furthermore, the track became a legendary live anthem for midwxst; its high energy and mosh-pit-inducing bass drops made it a staple of his 2021 nationwide tour, solidifying his reputation as one of the most electrifying performers of the new underground wave.

The lyrics of "Tic Tac Toe" are rich with pop-culture symbolism and clever metaphors that bridge the gap between midwxst's youth and his newfound status.

• Pikachu: "I got a yellow on me like I'm Pikachu" serves as a metaphor for flashy jewelry, wealth, or a weapon. Pikachu's electric nature also mirrors the artist's high-voltage energy and undeniable presence in the scene.
• Perry the Platypus: "I disappear like my name is Perry... no I'm talking about the f***ing platypus" is a brilliant comedic metaphor referencing the animated show Phineas and Ferb. It symbolizes midwxst's ability to quickly go "ghost" and distance himself from fake friends or toxic situations, much like the character's secret-agent vanishing act.
• Tic Tac Toe: The titular game is an allegory for the trivial, manipulative games that people play in relationships. By referencing it, midwxst expresses his disdain for people who do not take his time or his boundaries seriously.
• Sports and Historical Icons: References to Kobe Bryant and Martin Luther King Jr. are used metaphorically to represent clutch execution ("fall out on these n***as like I'm Kobe") and grand, unwavering ambition ("I got a dream"), respectively.

A central recurring motif in the song is the concept of "playing games." The phrase "playing games like tic tac toe" anchors the track's core message regarding trust and manipulation.

Another significant lyrical motif is the concept of movement and speed. Phrases like "I stay on my toes," "hit the road," and "speeding" frequently appear, contributing to the song's theme of unstoppable momentum and the urgency of midwxst's rise to fame.

Musically, midwxst uses the ad-lib "yeah" as a recurring rhythmic anchor. It punctuates the ends of his bars, acting almost like an additional percussive instrument that keeps the energy high and the transitions between verses seamless.