Dior - Bonus

"Dior" by Pop Smoke is a multifaceted anthem that operates on several levels. On the surface, it is a brash celebration of newfound wealth, street credibility, and masculine bravado. Pop Smoke revels in his success, using luxury fashion brands like Christian Dior and Mike Amiri as symbols of his ascent from the streets of Canarsie, Brooklyn, to global stardom. The lyrics detail a life of expensive clothes, attracting women, and commanding respect in any room he enters. The hook, "She like the way that I dance... she like the way that I rock," reflects his magnetic charisma and confidence.

Beneath the surface of opulence, "Dior" is deeply rooted in the harsh realities of street life. Pop Smoke juxtaposes his high-fashion lifestyle with grim declarations of being "always pistol packing" and willing to engage in violence. This creates a narrative of survival, where luxury is not just a pleasure but a trophy of having navigated a dangerous environment. He also expresses fierce loyalty to his incarcerated friends, promising to "raise hell" until they are free, grounding the track in a sense of community and shared struggle.

Posthumously, the song's meaning expanded significantly. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, "Dior" was unexpectedly adopted as a protest anthem by the Black Lives Matter movement. Though its lyrics are not explicitly political, its raw energy, defiant tone, and the context of Pop Smoke's own life—a young Black man who achieved immense success but was tragically killed—resonated deeply with protesters. The song transformed into a symbol of resistance, defiance against police brutality, and a powerful, unifying celebration of Black life and success in the face of systemic oppression.

The narrative of the song is a multifaceted reflection of Pop Smoke's life, intertwining themes of street credibility, luxury, romance, and loyalty. It opens with an immediate assertion of readiness and danger, stating he's "never lackin', always pistol packing" with automatic weapons, painting a vivid picture of a life where violence is a constant possibility. This raw, confrontational energy is a core element of his persona presented in the track.

The song then transitions into a scene of celebration and confidence, likely in a club. He highlights his magnetic presence and the effect he has on women, encapsulated in the recurring hook: "She like the way that I dance, She like the way that I move, She like the way that I rock, She like the way that I woo." This isn't just about dance moves; it's about his entire aura—his confidence, his style, and his 'woo' which is both a reference to his clique and his charismatic energy. The woman's reaction, to "clap for a nigga" and "throw it back for a nigga," is a raw depiction of mutual attraction and the charged atmosphere he creates.

A significant portion of the lyrics is dedicated to his newfound success and the luxury lifestyle it affords. He repeatedly name-drops high-fashion brands: "Mike Amiri, Mike Amiri, Billie Jean, Billie Jean, Christian Dior, Dior." This isn't just bragging; it's a marker of his ascent from a difficult past to a present where he's "up in all the stores." The phrase "When it rains, it pours" serves as a metaphor for this overwhelming influx of success, wealth, and the challenges that accompany it. He portrays himself as someone who can nonchalantly "buy out the club," cementing his status.

Amidst the flexing and bravado, there are moments of stark reality and reflections on his past and loyalties. He gives a shoutout to his incarcerated friends, "Brody got locked, denied his bail, Until he free, I'm raisin' hell," and "Free D-Nice, he doin' state time." These lines ground the song in the harsh realities of his environment, where imprisonment is a common fate. His promise to "raise hell" shows a deep-seated loyalty that exists alongside his pursuit of wealth. He also references his own past struggles, mentioning when he "came home from corrections," suggesting his journey was not an easy one and that his current success is a form of vindication. 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 technology with the grim reality of facing criminal charges.

Throughout the track, Pop Smoke maintains a defiant and assertive tone, dismissing haters and fake individuals. He expresses disdain for those who are disloyal or inauthentic, reinforcing the street codes he values. His persona is that of a survivor, someone who has navigated a perilous world and emerged on top, not by abandoning his roots, but by embodying them with an unapologetic swagger. The song is a complex tapestry of celebration and threat, luxury and loyalty, a testament to his life and the culture of Brooklyn drill he championed.

"Dior" was written by Pop Smoke (Bashar Jackson) and its producer, Andre Loblack, known as 808Melo. It was originally released on July 26, 2019, as a track on Pop Smoke's debut mixtape, Meet the Woo. The song was recorded in 2019.

The creation of the beat was a key element. 808Melo, a UK-based producer pivotal in the Brooklyn drill scene, built the track around a reversed and chopped-up violin sample he found online. This sample was from "The Coven" by Australian composer Peter Gundry. 808Melo layered this with the signature elements of UK drill music, including complex, sliding 808 basslines, spaced-out hi-hats, and a kick drum enhanced with a soft clipper to make it hit harder. He intentionally made the beat complex, using multiple 808 patterns and adding atmospheric sounds like a piano with a "Beethoven kind of feel" to create a dark, aggressive vibe.

According to Pop Smoke's manager, Steven Victor, he initially didn't see the song's full potential. However, a colleague's enthusiastic reaction made him reconsider, and he realized the power of its hook. The track was subsequently pushed as a single, officially released to rhythmic contemporary radio on February 11, 2020. Following Pop Smoke's death on February 19, 2020, the song's popularity surged, and it was included as a bonus track on his second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, his posthumous debut album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, and even the deluxe edition of his second posthumous album, Faith.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Dior" are fundamental to its identity as a Brooklyn drill anthem. The song's structure is built around a simple, highly effective hook with an AAAA rhyme scheme: "She like the way that I dance / She like the way that I move / She like the way that I rock / She like the way that I woo," though the rhyme is more rhythmic and thematic than perfect. The verses employ a more varied, often free-verse-like structure with intermittent rhymes. For example, in the lines, "Brody got locked, denied his bail / Until he free, I'm raisin' hell," he uses a perfect rhyme (bail/hell) to emphasize a point of loyalty and frustration.

Rhythmically, Pop Smoke's delivery is characterized by a confident, often off-beat flow that glides over the syncopated drill instrumental. His deep, gravelly voice acts as a percussive instrument itself, punctuating the beat with his signature ad-libs ("Woo!", "Grrr"). The song's tempo is mid-range, typical for drill, creating a pace that is perfect for both dancing and an intimidating strut. The interplay between his vocal rhythm and the complex, sliding 808s and skittering hi-hats of the 808Melo beat is a core component of the track's energy. This rhythmic tension makes the song feel simultaneously laid-back and menacing, a defining characteristic of his style.

"Dior" is a masterclass in the stylistic conventions of Brooklyn drill, showcasing both unique musical and literary techniques that define Pop Smoke's signature sound.

• Musical Techniques: The song is built on a quintessential UK drill-inspired beat produced by 808Melo. Key musical elements include deep, sliding 808 bass notes, which are a hallmark of the genre, creating a sinister and powerful low end. The beat uses a reversed and chopped violin sample from Peter Gundry's "The Coven," which gives it a dark, orchestral, and menacing atmosphere. The percussion is characterized by syncopated, skittering hi-hats and a hard-hitting kick drum, typical of drill music. Pop Smoke's vocal delivery is a defining feature; he uses a deep, gravelly, and aggressive baritone that often sounds like a growl. His use of ad-libs like "Woo!" and "Grrr" became his sonic signature, adding to the track's energetic and intimidating feel.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics employ a direct and confrontational narrative voice. Pop Smoke uses vivid, often violent, imagery ("always pistol packing," "send him to heaven") to establish his street credibility. A notable literary device is the double entendre in the line, "Tell my shooters call me FaceTime/For all the time we had to face time," which cleverly plays on the name of the video chat app and the legal term for facing charges. The repetition of luxury brand names like "Christian Dior" and "Mike Amiri" serves as a form of anaphora within the verses, reinforcing the theme of opulence as a central motif. The lyrical structure is built around a highly memorable and repetitive hook, making the song an infectious anthem.

"Dior" has had a monumental cultural impact, cementing Pop Smoke's legacy as a pivotal figure in modern hip-hop. Initially released in 2019, the song became his first posthumous solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 22 after his death in February 2020. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance and has been certified multi-platinum in the US.

The song is considered the signature track for both Pop Smoke and the Brooklyn drill movement he championed, bringing the subgenre to a global audience. Its influence was amplified through its popularity on TikTok and its frequent inclusion on his posthumous albums, making it ubiquitous.

Most significantly, "Dior" became an unexpected anthem for the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Despite lyrics focused on luxury and street life, its defiant energy and aggressive beat resonated with protesters as a symbol of resistance, rebellion, and the celebration of Black life in the face of oppression. Videos of demonstrators chanting its lyrics became widespread, transforming the song from a party track into a piece of the modern protest music canon. Pop Smoke's manager, Steven Victor, even discussed a potential collaboration with the Dior fashion house, highlighting the song's massive influence on connecting the brand with urban culture.

"Dior" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a picture of Pop Smoke's world, where luxury and danger are intertwined.

• High-Fashion Brands (Dior, Mike Amiri): The repeated mentions of Christian Dior and Mike Amiri are the most prominent symbols in the song. They represent more than just expensive clothing; they are symbols of success, aspiration, and a triumphant escape from humble beginnings. For Pop Smoke, wearing these brands is a public declaration of his achievements and status, a stark contrast to a past that included time in correctional facilities. They are trophies of his hard-won success in the music industry.
• "When it rains, it pours": This classic idiom is used metaphorically to describe the overwhelming nature of his newfound success. It suggests an abundance of not just money and luxury, but also the attention, women, and challenges that come with fame. It captures the sudden and massive scale of his rise.
• "Send him to heaven": This is a clear euphemism for killing someone. It's a stark, chilling metaphor that grounds the song's luxury narrative in the violent realities of street life, reminding the listener of the stakes involved in his world.
• FaceTime vs. face time: The line "Tell my shooters call me FaceTime/For all the time we had to face time" is a clever and poignant metaphor. It contrasts the casual connectivity of modern technology (Apple's FaceTime) with the grim reality of "face time" in a legal context, meaning facing criminal charges or prison sentences. This wordplay highlights the duality of his life—one of modern fame and one still connected to the streets.

"Dior" is structured around several powerful recurring phrases and motifs that are central to its meaning and iconic status.

• The Hook: The most prominent recurring element is the hook: "She like the way that I dance / She like the way that I move / She like the way that I rock / She like the way that I woo." This chant-like repetition serves as the song's anchor, celebrating Pop Smoke's charisma and magnetic effect on others. It's a confident assertion of his appeal.
• Luxury Brand Names: The repeated chanting of "Mike Amiri, Mike Amiri... Christian Dior, Dior" is a key lyrical motif. This repetition functions as more than just flexing; it becomes a mantra of success and aspiration. By turning designer names into a rhythmic chant, he cements them as symbols of his arrival and the lifestyle he now leads, making luxury a core theme of the track.
• "Woo": The word "Woo" is a significant recurring motif, not just in this song but across Pop Smoke's entire discography. It refers to his affiliation with the Woo gang from Brooklyn but also serves as his signature ad-lib and a call to action. In "Dior," it's part of his charm ("She like the way that I woo") and a declaration of identity.
• Threats and Street Credibility: Phrases like "never lackin', always pistol packing" are repeated in spirit throughout the lyrics, creating a consistent motif of danger and street readiness that grounds the track's celebratory feel in a harsher reality.

These recurring elements make "Dior" incredibly memorable and structurally cohesive, with each repetition reinforcing the song's central themes of swagger, luxury, and loyalty.