PARABOLIC!

The song "PARABOLIC!" by nobigdyl. is a multi-layered declaration of faith, authenticity, and artistic purpose. At its core, the song is a testament to staying true to oneself amidst adversity and judgment. The title itself is a rejection of being 'parabolic,' which means to speak in parables or fictitious stories. nobigdyl. insists on sharing his lived reality and testimony, not a fabricated narrative. He emphasizes this with the line, "People want the vibes but I gotta give them life though," signifying his commitment to providing substance and truth rather than just catchy music.

Lyrically, the song delves into nobigdyl.'s upbringing in Tennessee, touching upon experiences with racism and prejudice in a predominantly white, rural environment. References to seeing rebel flags and facing pushback for his style—like wearing a Malcolm X t-shirt—ground the song in a specific socio-cultural context. However, instead of succumbing to this pressure, he finds his validation in his faith, specifically his 'conversation with my Father,' which is a reference to God. This spiritual foundation is the source of his confidence and the reason he doesn't need to 'fake' his way to success.

The recurring chorus, "Treat me like the Rock, when you see me, I'm electrifying, yeah / Only talk I do is edifying / They say, preach, they say, church, when I'm testifying," serves as a mission statement. He aligns himself with the electrifying persona of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson while asserting that his words are meant to build up and inspire. His testimony is his sermon, delivered through the medium of hip-hop. The song is a confident expression of his spiritual walk and identity as a Christian artist who refuses to be boxed in or compromise his message.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a reflection on the artist's life journey, beginning with his upbringing in a rural Southern environment that was lacking in opportunities and rife with racial prejudice. He recounts growing up in the woods, far from any college, a setting where Confederate flags were a common sight. This imagery establishes a backdrop of cultural and ideological opposition to his own identity. He recalls instances of facing judgment for his personal style, such as wearing a Malcolm X t-shirt with an AK-47 graphic on the back, which was met with disapproval. This detail highlights his early expressions of identity and the resistance he encountered.

Amidst these challenges, the artist emphasizes his commitment to authenticity and his refusal to compromise his values for acceptance or financial gain. He states that he doesn't need to 'fake' it to make money, finding his true validation through a personal and spiritual 'conversation with my Father.' This points to his Christian faith as a core source of strength and self-worth. The lyrics trace his musical influences, mentioning a diverse range from Taylor Gang and Taylor Swift to Randy Travis, illustrating the eclectic soundscape that shaped him. He contrasts this with the racist attitudes prevalent in his hometown.

The chorus serves as a powerful declaration of his purpose and presence. He wants to be seen as 'electrifying,' a force that is both captivating and uplifting. The line 'only talk I do is edifying' underscores his intention to use his platform for positive and constructive communication, with his words being likened to a sermon or testimony. The recurring phrase 'I'm not being parabolic' is a key statement, rejecting the idea of speaking in fictional stories or parables. Instead, he insists on sharing his real, lived experiences. This is reinforced by his assertion that he has to give the people 'life,' not just 'vibes,' offering substance over superficiality.

As the song progresses, the artist details his artistic process and his aspirations. He speaks of writing verses in his garage that eventually get played worldwide. He mentions listening to influential artists like Illmatic and Biggie, grounding his own work in the history of hip-hop. There's a sense of determination and hope as he talks about his dream of his parents being able to 'put their feet up' one day, a testament to his desire to provide for his family through his music. He describes a moment of nervousness during a church service, but also a moment of pride and strength, 'black and proud,' walking with the 'Holy Spirit handy.' This juxtaposition of vulnerability and confidence paints a full picture of his faith journey. The song concludes with a confident assertion of his skills and his moral compass, solidifying his identity as an artist with a clear message and an unwavering commitment to his truth.

"PARABOLIC!" was released on July 3, 2020. The song was produced by Carvello. It was released as a single under the indie tribe. label. The lyrics reflect nobigdyl.'s personal experiences, particularly his upbringing in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, after moving from California at age 9. In a reaction video, the artist's mother and grandmother confirmed the autobiographical nature of the lyrics, which touch on dealing with racism and finding his identity. The song was later included on nobigdyl.'s 2024 compilation project, "THESE ARE NOT ON THE ALBUM," a collection of previously released singles. A music video, directed by Cinemaddox, was released concurrently with the single on July 2, 2020.

"PARABOLIC!" is built on a foundation of confident, rhythmic delivery and intricate rhyme schemes that are characteristic of contemporary hip-hop. The song's tempo is upbeat, creating an energetic and head-nodding feel that complements the assertive nature of the lyrics. nobigdyl.'s flow is relaxed but precise, skillfully navigating the pockets of the trap-influenced beat.

The rhyme scheme is complex and often employs internal and multi-syllabic rhymes rather than simple end rhymes. For instance, in the opening lines, "Treat me like the Rock, when you see me, I'm electrifying, yeah / Only talk I do is edifying / They say, preach, they say, church, when I'm testifying," he uses a consistent multi-syllable rhyme to create a strong, cohesive opening. He continues this throughout the verses with patterns like "...a lot of mileage / ...nearest college" and "Taylor Swift / ...racist is / ...greatest hits / ...made a bit." This technical skill adds a layer of lyrical density and showcases his craftsmanship as an MC. The rhythm of his lyrical delivery often plays with syncopation, sometimes falling right on the beat and at other times weaving around it, which adds to the song's dynamic and engaging quality.

nobigdyl. employs a variety of stylistic techniques in "PARABOLIC!" to create a dynamic and impactful track:

• Vocal Delivery: His flow is characterized by a laid-back yet confident cadence that rides smoothly over the beat. It's conversational and clear, allowing the lyrical content to be at the forefront. He shifts his energy and inflection to emphasize certain lines, moving from a relaxed delivery to more punctuated, assertive statements.
• Literary Devices: The lyrics are rich with literary techniques. He uses allusion extensively, referencing figures like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Malcolm X, Post Malone, and Biggie. There are also metaphors and similes, such as "I just float to top the wave like a otter" and wordplay like "You the captain of the cappin'".
• Instrumentation and Production: The beat, produced by Carvello, features a prominent, bouncy bassline and a trap-influenced rhythm. It creates an energetic and modern soundscape that is both catchy and supports the confident tone of the lyrics. The overall production is clean, allowing nobigdyl.'s vocals to cut through clearly.
• Narrative Structure: The song follows a narrative arc, recounting his personal history from growing up in a hostile environment to finding his voice and purpose as an artist. This storytelling approach makes the song's message more personal and relatable.
• Repetition (Hook): The chorus is a memorable and effective hook that encapsulates the song's central themes of being an 'electrifying' and 'edifying' force. Its repetition drills the core message into the listener's mind.

"PARABOLIC!" has had a notable cultural impact, significantly boosted by its inclusion in former U.S. President Barack Obama's 2023 summer playlist. This high-profile endorsement brought the song to a much wider audience beyond the Christian hip-hop scene, leading to a significant increase in streams and a 15% rise in the artist's Chartmetric rank. The song has been streamed over 7.4 million times on Spotify alone. It has also found popularity on platforms like TikTok, where it has been used in tens of thousands of videos. Within the Christian hip-hop community, the song is recognized as a key track that encapsulates nobigdyl.'s style and message—a blend of sharp lyricism, social commentary, and unapologetic faith. An op-ed on Rapzilla highlighted the lyric "People want the vibes but I gotta give them life though" as a pivotal line that challenges listeners to look beyond the surface level of music for deeper meaning. The song solidified nobigdyl.'s position as a prominent and thoughtful voice in contemporary Christian music.

"PARABOLIC!" employs several potent symbols and metaphors to convey its message:

• Parabolic: The central metaphor, used in the negative, is the rejection of being 'parabolic'. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. By stating "I'm not being parabolic," nobigdyl. asserts that his lyrics are not fictional allegories but direct, truthful accounts of his own life and struggles, particularly concerning racism and his faith journey.
• The Rock: The line "Treat me like the Rock, when you see me, I'm electrifying" is a direct reference to the wrestler and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. It symbolizes a persona of undeniable charisma, confidence, and high energy, which nobigdyl. claims for himself as a performer.
• Edifying Talk / Testifying: These terms cast his music in a spiritual and ministerial light. 'Edifying' means providing moral or intellectual instruction, and 'testifying' is a common term in Christian contexts for sharing one's faith experience. This frames his rap as a form of preaching and ministry.
• Malcolm X T-shirt with the AK on the back: This is a powerful symbol of black pride, resistance, and counter-culture. Wearing it in his predominantly white hometown represents a bold and defiant assertion of his identity in a hostile environment, symbolizing his refusal to assimilate or be silenced.
• Conversation with my Father: This is a clear metaphor for his personal relationship with God. It symbolizes that his validation and sense of worth come from his faith, not from worldly success, money, or the approval of others.

The most significant recurring element in "PARABOLIC!" is the chorus, which acts as the song's central thesis. The lines, "Treat me like the Rock, when you see me, I'm electrifying, yeah / Only talk I do is edifying / They say, preach, they say, church, when I'm testifying," are repeated multiple times, reinforcing nobigdyl.'s identity and mission as an artist. This hook is memorable and clearly communicates his desire to be a powerful, positive, and spiritually grounded voice.

Another key recurring phrase is the song's title in the negative: "I'm not being parabolic." This line appears in the verses and serves to underscore the song's commitment to truth and lived experience over fictional storytelling. It's a direct statement to the listener about the authenticity of the narrative being presented.

The motif of his upbringing in a hostile, rural environment also recurs, with repeated references to growing up in the woods, seeing rebel flags, and facing racism. This establishes the background of struggle against which his present confidence and faith are contrasted, making his triumph more impactful.