Capo

"Capo" by NLE Choppa is a powerful assertion of dominance, street credibility, and leadership. The title itself, "Capo," is short for caporegime, a term used in the Mafia for a high-ranking captain of a crew, immediately establishing the theme of authority and control. Throughout the song, Choppa builds a persona of a fearless and respected leader who is not to be trifled with. The lyrics are a raw depiction of street life, filled with threats of violence against his rivals ("I'm tired of him breathing, I'm taking his breath") and declarations of his earned status ("I earned my stripes but I'm not a ref"). The song serves as a warning to his opponents and a statement of his position in the hip-hop landscape and his local environment. A deeper meaning lies in his staunch independence; he explicitly states, "I'm independent, can't sign a deal / Won't sell out for a couple mill." This line is crucial as it showcases his commitment to maintaining ownership of his music and career, a form of power and control that extends beyond street conflicts into the business of music. He sees himself as a self-made authority, accountable to no one but himself and his crew.

The song's narrative is a raw and unfiltered declaration of dominance in the streets. The protagonist, NLE Choppa, establishes his authority and fearsome reputation from the very beginning. He expresses a chilling disregard for his rivals' lives, stating he's tired of them breathing and is ready to take their breath away. This isn't just a threat; it's a statement of power, positioning him as a figure who decides who thrives and who falls in his environment. Loyalty and affiliation are paramount, symbolized by the flag on his left, representing his crew, and the stripes he's earned, not from an official authority but through his actions and survival in the streets. He sees his competitors as weak and unprepared, or as he puts it, they "overslept."

The narrative weaves in the theme of trust and codependence, particularly in his relationship with his partner. She is depicted as a crucial part of his survival mechanism; a nurse who provides him with solace (in the form of Percocet) when he's down, and more importantly, a trusted accomplice who holds his weapon when law enforcement is near. This transforms their relationship into an alliance built on mutual risk and loyalty, a stark contrast to conventional romantic dynamics. The song portrays a world where danger is constant, and preparedness is key. An encounter with an adversary ends with the rival being neutralized, and Choppa reflects on his precise aim, comparing it to the quarterback Tom Brady's skill in the pocket—a metaphor for his own deadly accuracy under pressure.

He delves into the grim realities of street conflicts, acknowledging collateral damage with a chillingly casual apology that quickly retracts into a promise to retaliate even against the friends of his enemies. This highlights a ruthless code where violence begets more violence. Amidst this, a strong sense of self-reliance and integrity emerges. He proclaims his independence, refusing to be bought by a record deal for a few million dollars, valuing ownership of his music and his narrative above quick fame. This assertion of artistic and personal autonomy is a central pillar of his identity as a "capo."

The story also touches upon his past, a transformation from a young kid with dreams of being a basketball player ("hoopa") to a street-hardened individual who turned to guns ("the shoota"). This transition underscores a loss of innocence and an adaptation to a harsh reality. He boasts about his aspirations and achievements at a young age, being sixteen with grand dreams and already making significant moves, like acquiring a luxury van. The lyrics are filled with vivid, often brutal, imagery and wordplay, from threatening to cause a "train wreck" to clever lines about his wealth and status. The narrative is one of unrelenting aggression, a testament to survival in a dangerous world, and an assertion of his position at the top of the hierarchy, a true "Capo."

"Capo" was released on March 22, 2019, as a single by NLE Choppa. The track was produced by Midas800, who had also produced NLE Choppa's breakout hit, "Shotta Flow". According to NLE Choppa, Midas800 sent him the piano-driven beat, and he immediately felt inspired to write to it. The song was recorded at One Sound Studio in South Memphis, Tennessee. In an interview with Genius, Choppa revealed that the beat was originally named "Capo," and he liked the name so much he kept it for the song's title, even if he wasn't entirely sure of its meaning beyond it sounding like a drug lord. He wrote most of the song, including the hook, but the latter part of the track, starting from the line "Before you try rob, hit your knees and pray to Buddha," was a freestyle. This blend of written and freestyled lyrics showcases his creative process at the time. He also mentioned that he intentionally used a more melodic approach in parts of the song to demonstrate his stylistic versatility. The song was part of his rapid rise to fame in 2019, further solidifying his place as a prominent new voice from Memphis.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Capo" are central to its aggressive and driving energy. The song is set to a fast-paced trap tempo, driven by a syncopated rhythm common in Memphis rap, characterized by rolling hi-hats and deep, booming 808 bass kicks. NLE Choppa's lyrical rhythm is equally dynamic and often percussive, working in tandem with the beat. His flow is relentless, with phrases often packed tightly together, creating a sense of breathlessness and urgency. The rhyme scheme is generally not a strict, repeating pattern, leaning more towards a free verse structure with frequent couplets and internal rhymes that add to the complexity. For example, in the opening lines of the chorus: "I'm tired of him breathing, I'm taking his breath (A) / Shoot to my right, my flag on the left (A) / I earned my stripes but I'm not a ref (A) / These niggas, they woke, they overslept (A)." Here, he uses a strong AAAA rhyme scheme to deliver a powerful, punchy opening. He also uses slant rhymes and assonance to maintain flow, as seen in lines like "Whenever I'm down she give me a perc / The police pull up, my gun in her purse." The interplay between his aggressive, often off-kilter vocal rhythm and the steady, menacing beat creates the song's signature tension and raw power.

"Capo" is defined by NLE Choppa's aggressive and high-energy stylistic delivery, a hallmark of his early work. His vocal performance is raw and often shouted, conveying a sense of urgency and menace that matches the lyrical content. Musically, the song is built on a haunting, piano-based trap instrumental produced by Midas800. The beat features the characteristic heavy 808 bass, rapid-fire hi-hats, and a simple but ominous piano melody that creates a dark, cinematic atmosphere. Lyrically, Choppa utilizes direct and confrontational language. He employs literary devices such as vivid imagery ("Knock yo cap off and it's word to Bobby Shmurda"), similes ("popping niggas like pimples"), and metaphor ("I'm in her mouth like it's dental"). His flow is dynamic, shifting between more structured, rhythmic verses and faster, more frantic sections that blur into his signature energetic ad-libs ("Yeah, yeah, hrrroww, Bow, yeah, yeah"). This combination of a menacing beat and an explosive vocal delivery is a key stylistic technique that enhances the song's aggressive and defiant tone.

"Capo" was a significant single in NLE Choppa's breakout year of 2019, further cementing his reputation as a formidable new talent in the Memphis rap scene following the viral success of "Shotta Flow". While not charting on the main Billboard Hot 100, it did reach number 10 on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, indicating significant traction. The song and its music video, which debuted on WorldStarHipHop, garnered millions of views and streams, contributing to the intense buzz surrounding the then-16-year-old rapper. Critics praised the track for its raw energy and aggressive delivery, with publications like HotNewHipHop giving it a high rating and highlighting Choppa's potential. The song's uncompromising stance on independence ("Won't sell out for a couple mill") resonated with many listeners and became a key part of his artistic identity. Though it was released as a standalone single, its success contributed to the anticipation for his debut EP, Cottonwood, which dropped later that year. "Capo" remains a fan favorite and a quintessential example of the energetic, piano-driven trap style that defined NLE Choppa's initial rise to fame.

NLE Choppa employs a range of symbolism and metaphors in "Capo" to enrich his narrative of street power.

• The Capo: The title itself is the central metaphor, likening his position in his crew and the rap game to that of a high-ranking Mafia captain. This implies leadership, respect earned through action, and a dangerous authority.
• Earning Stripes: The line "I earned my stripes but I'm not a ref" uses the metaphor of earning stripes (like a military or sports official's uniform) to symbolize gaining respect and status through experience and conflict on the streets, explicitly distinguishing it from any officially sanctioned authority.
• Gun in the Purse: The image of his girlfriend carrying his gun in her purse symbolizes ultimate trust and loyalty in a hostile environment. It highlights how relationships are adapted for survival, where romantic partners become accomplices in a dangerous lifestyle.
• Tom Brady in the Pocket: Comparing his aim to quarterback Tom Brady ("I got good aim in the pocket like I'm Brady") is a clever simile. It serves a dual purpose: a wordplay on having a pistol in his pocket and a metaphor for his deadly precision and calmness under pressure, just like an elite quarterback.
• Putting Opps on a Shirt: This is a common but stark metaphor in street rap for killing someone, turning their image into a memorial t-shirt.

Several recurring motifs and phrases anchor "Capo" and reinforce its central themes. The most significant motif is the concept of being a "Capo" itself, representing leadership and earned authority, which is the song's foundation. The phrase "I'm tired of him breathing, I'm taking his breath" is repeated, acting as a grim refrain that underscores the violent and ruthless nature of the world he depicts. Another recurring idea is the theme of loyalty and partnership in crime, specifically with his girlfriend who holds his weapon ("The police pull up, my gun in her purse"). This image is a motif for unwavering allegiance in the face of danger. Furthermore, there is a recurring contrast between his past aspirations and his current reality—the shift from a "hoopa" (basketball player) to a "shoota" (shooter) is a motif of lost innocence and adaptation to a violent environment. Finally, the declaration of independence ("can't sign a deal") is a recurring theme in his early work, symbolizing his control over his destiny and art.