Dior

“Dior” by Pop Smoke is a multifaceted anthem that operates on several levels. On its surface, the track is a braggadocious celebration of success, wealth, and a lavish lifestyle. Pop Smoke uses repeated references to high-fashion brands like Christian Dior and Mike Amiri to symbolize his ascent in the music industry and his ability to afford the finer things in life. It's a statement of arrival, marking his transition from the streets of Canarsie, Brooklyn, to global recognition. The song's infectious hook, detailing a woman's attraction to his style and confidence, reinforces this theme of desirability and swagger that comes with fame.

Deeper than the luxury talk, “Dior” is a quintessential Brooklyn drill track that captures the raw, menacing energy of the subgenre he championed. It retains the grit of his reality, with lyrics about being “pistol-packing,” loyalty to incarcerated friends (“Brody got locked, denied his bail / Until he free, I'm raisin' hell”), and the constant threat of violence. This juxtaposition of high fashion and street danger creates a complex narrative of survival and triumph against the odds. It’s not just about wearing Dior; it’s about having made it to a place where that is possible, despite the environment he came from.

Following his death and the social unrest of 2020, “Dior” took on a new, unintentional meaning. It was widely adopted as a protest anthem during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Although the lyrics are not explicitly political, the song's aggressive energy, defiant tone, and its status as the work of a young Black artist killed tragically, resonated with protesters. It became a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and a celebration of Black success and life in the face of systemic oppression. Thus, “Dior” evolved from a personal hype song into a powerful cultural artifact representing a generation's defiance and resilience.

The song opens with a declaration of readiness and a warning to adversaries. The narrator, Pop Smoke, asserts that he is never caught unprepared, always armed with automatic weapons, and ready for any conflict, suggesting a life where violence is a constant possibility. This tough exterior is immediately contrasted with the song's central theme of attraction and lifestyle. The hook reveals that a woman is captivated by his entire persona—his dance moves, his style, and his signature “Woo” ad-lib, a sound that represents his energy and crew. She shows her admiration physically, dancing for him in a provocative way.

The chorus becomes a mantra of his newfound success, chanting the names of high-end fashion designers: Mike Amiri and, most prominently, Christian Dior. This isn't just about clothing; it's a symbol of his arrival and status. Being “up in all the stores” signifies a level of wealth and access that was once out of reach. The phrase “when it rains, it pours” serves as a dual metaphor, suggesting both an overwhelming abundance of success and money, and the concurrent challenges and dangers that come with it. His signature growling ad-lib, “rrr,” punctuates this display of affluence, adding to the track's aggressive energy.

In the verses, Pop Smoke delves deeper into the realities of his life. He portrays a scene in a club where his status is undeniable, throwing large amounts of cash and commanding attention. He expresses disdain for those he considers disingenuous or weak (“I can't f*ck with these n****s 'cause n****s is gay”), using street slang to denote a lack of authenticity. His online presence is massive, with his name constantly being discussed in comments, a testament to his rising fame. Amid this bravado, there's a strong undercurrent of loyalty and hardship. He shouts out his incarcerated friends, Brody and D-Nice, vowing to “raise hell” until they are free. This reveals a commitment to his crew that transcends his individual success. He reminisces about his own time in the correctional system and mentions keeping weapons close, grounding the luxurious fantasy in a harsh reality. The line, “Tell my shooters call me FaceTime / For all the times we had to face time,” is a clever play on words, contrasting modern communication with the grim reality of prison visits. Ultimately, the narrative weaves together the threads of a life defined by extremes: immense success and violent struggle, designer fashion and prison sentences, public adoration and unwavering street loyalty.

“Dior” was written by Pop Smoke (Bashar Jackson) and its producer, Andre Loblack, known professionally as 808Melo. 808Melo, a key architect of the UK and Brooklyn drill sound, was a frequent collaborator of Pop Smoke's, having also produced his breakout hit “Welcome to the Party.” The track was recorded in 2019. The beat was created when 808Melo found a dark violin sample online, which he then chopped up and reversed in FL Studio using the plugin SliceX. He built the rest of the instrumental around this core sample, incorporating the sliding 808 basslines, complex hi-hat patterns, and sparse, percussive sounds that define the drill genre.

“Dior” was first released on July 26, 2019, as a track on Pop Smoke's debut mixtape, Meet the Woo. It quickly became a standout track and a fan favorite. Recognizing its popularity, it was officially issued as the third and final single from the mixtape on February 11, 2020. The song's reach expanded significantly after Pop Smoke's death on February 19, 2020. Due to its immense and enduring popularity, “Dior” was subsequently included as a bonus track on his second mixtape Meet the Woo 2 (2020), his posthumous debut studio album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020), and even the deluxe edition of his second posthumous album Faith (2021), making it a signature song that appeared on all of his major commercial releases.

Pop Smoke's vocal delivery in “Dior” is characterized by a confident, steady flow that masterfully rides the complex rhythm of the drill beat. The song's tempo is moderate, but the intricate and syncopated drum patterns—especially the skittering hi-hats and off-kilter snares—create a sense of urgency and tension. Pop Smoke’s rhythmic pocket is often slightly behind the beat, giving his delivery a laid-back swagger that contrasts with the instrumental's aggressive energy.

The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, often relying on couplets (AABB) and simple end rhymes, which enhances the song's direct, declarative feel and makes the lyrics memorable and chant-like. For example, in the lines, “When I walk in the spot, 30 on me / Buy out the club, n****s know that I'm paid,” the rhyme is simple but effective. He also employs internal rhymes and assonance to add texture to his verses. The interplay between his lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial; his charismatic ad-libs (“Woo,” “Grrr”) often land on the off-beats, filling the spaces in the sparse instrumental and acting as another percussive layer.

Musically, “Dior” is a masterclass in the Brooklyn drill sound pioneered by producer 808Melo. Its foundation is a sparse, menacing beat featuring a reversed and chopped violin sample from Peter Gundry's “The Coven,” which creates a dark, eerie atmosphere. The most defining musical element is the use of gliding 808s, where the bass notes slide up and down in pitch, a signature technique of UK/Brooklyn drill that gives the track its volatile, rhythmic energy. The drum patterns are complex, with syncopated hi-hats and snares that leave ample space, a deliberate choice by 808Melo to allow the artist's vocals to dominate.

Lyrically and vocally, Pop Smoke employs a distinctive deep, gravelly baritone voice that is both commanding and intimidating. His delivery is confident and relaxed, yet carries an undercurrent of aggression. He makes heavy use of ad-libs (e.g., “Woo,” “Grrrr,” “Aw shit”), which punctuate the verses and add to the song's raw energy and memorability. A key literary device is wordplay, seen in the line, “Tell my shooters call me FaceTime / For all the time we had to face time,” which cleverly juxtaposes modern technology with the harsh reality of prison communication.

“Dior” is widely regarded as Pop Smoke's signature song and a landmark track in the global popularization of Brooklyn drill music. Following its release, the song became a massive sleeper hit, eventually peaking at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the UK after his death, cementing his posthumous legacy. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Its most significant cultural impact came in the summer of 2020, when “Dior” was unexpectedly adopted as a protest anthem during the worldwide George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests. Despite its apolitical lyrics focused on luxury and street life, the song's defiant energy and Pop Smoke’s powerful presence resonated with the movement's spirit of resistance and demand for respect. Protesters chanted its lyrics in the streets, transforming the track into a symbol of Black joy, resilience, and rebellion against oppression. The song also became a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok, further extending its reach. Its instrumental was used in a tribute to Pop Smoke at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards, and it has been remixed by numerous artists globally, highlighting its widespread influence.

The most prominent symbol in “Dior” is the fashion brand itself. Christian Dior, along with Mike Amiri, represents more than just expensive clothing; it symbolizes a pinnacle of success, aspiration, and the tangible rewards of Pop Smoke's hard-won fame. It’s a metaphor for transcending a life of struggle to attain a world of luxury, a powerful statement of arrival for an artist from Brooklyn's streets. The act of being “up in all the stores” symbolizes unrestricted access and financial freedom.

The phrase “when it rains, it pours” is a classic metaphor used here with dual meaning. It signifies the overwhelming downpour of success, wealth, and opportunities that came with his fame. However, it also carries a more ominous tone, hinting at the deluge of problems, envy, and danger that often accompany such a rapid rise in the public eye.

The ad-lib “Woo” is a recurring auditory symbol in Pop Smoke’s music. While it's connected to a real street affiliation in Brooklyn, Pop Smoke himself described it as a “vibe” or a lifestyle associated with success, confidence, and being well-dressed. In the song, when a woman is attracted to “the way I woo,” it symbolizes his entire charismatic, confident, and slightly dangerous persona. It's a sonic signature of his identity and the movement he led.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chant-like repetition of fashion brands, particularly “Christian Dior, Dior” and “Mike Amiri, Mike Amiri.” This motif acts as the central hook and reinforces the theme of luxury and success as the ultimate status symbol. Its constant repetition makes it an unforgettable and anthemic part of the track.

The ad-lib “Woo” is a crucial recurring motif throughout the song and Pop Smoke's entire discography. It serves multiple purposes: as a signature sound identifying him and his crew, a term representing a confident lifestyle, and an exclamation that injects energy into the track. The phrase “She like the way I…” followed by “dance,” “move,” “rock,” and “woo” forms a repetitive structure in the hook that emphasizes his magnetic charisma.

Another recurring theme is the juxtaposition of wealth and danger. Phrases related to violence (“pistol-packing,” keeping a “38 for the weapon”) and loyalty to his incarcerated crew (“Brody got locked,” “raisin' hell”) are woven throughout the track, serving as a constant reminder of the gritty reality that underlies the glamorous surface.