Invincible

"Invincible" is a raw and unfiltered expression of Pop Smoke's persona, built on a foundation of confidence, street credibility, and defiance. The core meaning of the song revolves around the feeling of being untouchable and exceptionally brave, a state fueled by success, wealth, and, as the lyrics suggest, intoxication. It's a braggadocious anthem that sees Pop Smoke glorifying the pillars of his world: money, women, and a tough, gangster lifestyle. He asserts his dominance by detailing his readiness for violence (“shoot at any opp”), his affiliation with the Crips, and his lavish spending on himself and his partner. The song isn't just about feeling powerful; it's about projecting that power as a survival mechanism in a hostile environment, a common theme in the Brooklyn drill scene he championed.

The song opens with a declaration of feeling untouchable, a state the artist attributes, in part, to being high on Percocet. This feeling of being “invincible” sets the tone for a narrative steeped in bravado and the harsh realities of street life. The artist, Pop Smoke, moves through a crowded space, exuding an aura of power and dismissiveness towards those he deems “corny.” His confidence is palpable, bordering on aggressive, as he asserts his dominance and readiness for confrontation. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where respect is commanded, not given, and where a reputation for violence is a necessary shield. He casually mentions his use of drugs like Percocet and Hennessy, which seem to fuel his high-energy, almost chaotic, persona.

A significant portion of the narrative is dedicated to threats against his rivals or “opps.” He makes it clear that he is always armed and prepared to use his weapons, referencing specific firearms and his willingness to “shoot up the party.” This isn't just empty boasting; it's a statement of his lifestyle and the constant threat of violence that surrounds him. He shouts out his affiliation with the Crips, grounding his identity within a specific gang culture. This is intertwined with flaunting his wealth and success. He talks about spending large sums of money on jewelry and on his partner, using luxury brands like Double G (Gucci) as status symbols. This combination of violent posturing and lavish spending creates a complex portrait of power in his world.

The central theme of invincibility is repeated throughout, acting as a mantra. This feeling is derived from his success, his fearsome reputation, and his access to money, women, and drugs. He contrasts his high-energy, aggressive state with a disdain for idle talk, positioning himself as a man of action. The reference to shooting like Robert Horry, a basketball player known for making clutch shots under pressure, serves as a metaphor for his own precision and reliability in moments of conflict. The song is a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Pop Smoke’s mindset, a celebration of a dangerous and glamorous lifestyle where feeling invincible is the ultimate form of survival and success.

"Invincible" was released on February 7, 2020, as the opening track on Pop Smoke's second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2. The song was produced by Yoz Beatz (Yosief Tafari), who is also credited as a co-writer alongside Pop Smoke (Bashar Barakah Jackson). The recording was engineered by Corey "Cutz" Nutile, and the track was mixed and mastered by Jess Jackson. The release came just twelve days before Pop Smoke's tragic death on February 19, 2020. The mixtape, including "Invincible," was released under the labels Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. The track's title and themes of feeling invincible became tragically poignant in the wake of his passing, with many commentators noting the cruel irony.

The song's rhythmic structure is driven by the 143 BPM tempo of the drill beat, characterized by a syncopated and energetic feel that's easy to dance to. Pop Smoke's lyrical flow is assertive and rides the beat with a confident cadence. He often employs a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme, focusing more on the impact and delivery of his lines than on complex internal rhymes or multi-syllable patterns. The rhymes are often perfect rhymes that punctuate the end of his bars, creating a hard-hitting effect (e.g., "party"/"artillery", "energy"/"Hennessy"/"enemy"/"remember me"). The rhythm of his vocal delivery often has a conversational yet menacing quality, pausing for emphasis before delivering a punchline, which creates a dynamic interplay with the relentless pace of the instrumental.

"Invincible" is a quintessential example of Pop Smoke's signature style, which was instrumental in bringing Brooklyn drill to the mainstream.

• Vocal Delivery: His deep, gravelly, and commanding baritone voice is the track's most distinctive feature. The delivery is aggressive and energetic, punctuated by his iconic ad-libs like "Woo" and a guttural "Grrr".
• Musical Arrangement: The beat, produced by Yoz Beatz, features the dark, menacing basslines and skittering hi-hats characteristic of UK and Brooklyn drill. There's also a prominent, haunting vocal sample woven throughout the track, which adds a cinematic and eerie quality.
• Lyrical Content: The lyrics are direct, raw, and often confrontational, focusing on themes of street life, violence, and bravado. He uses a specific street slang and cadence that roots the song firmly in his Brooklyn environment.
• Ad-libs: Pop Smoke's ad-libs are not just filler; they are a core part of his musical identity, adding energy and emphasis to his bars. The "Woo" is particularly significant, being a call sign for his crew and a recurring motif in his music.

"Invincible" was released just before Pop Smoke's death and stands as a powerful, albeit tragic, mission statement for his career and the Brooklyn drill movement he spearheaded. As the opening track to his highly successful mixtape Meet the Woo 2, which debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200, it set the stage for his explosive and raw energy. The song, and Pop Smoke's music in general, was pivotal in the resurgence of New York as a cultural capital in the rap world, bringing a new, gritty sound influenced by UK drill to the forefront. While not released as a commercial single, the song remains a fan favorite and a key track in his discography, embodying the unapologetic and defiant spirit that made him a star. The irony of the title, in light of his murder shortly after its release, has made the song a particularly poignant and frequently discussed piece of his legacy.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of Pop Smoke's worldview.

• Invincibility: The central theme of being "invincible" is a metaphor for the peak of confidence and power he felt, achieved through street status, financial success, and a fearsome reputation. It symbolizes a mental armor against the dangers of his lifestyle.
• Robert Horry: The lyric "And I shoot like Robert Horry" is a direct metaphor. Robert Horry was an NBA player famous for making critical, game-winning shots, often under immense pressure. By comparing himself to Horry, Pop Smoke is highlighting his own perceived accuracy, reliability, and deadliness in violent confrontations.
• Luxury Goods: References to spending lavishly, such as "spent 250 on my fist, I spent 250 on my bitch, double G," use luxury items as symbols of success and power, a common trope in hip-hop to signify moving up from a difficult past.

Several recurring elements are key to the song's structure and impact.

• "I feel invincible": This is the song's central thesis and main hook. Its repetition drills the core theme of untouchable confidence into the listener's mind.
• "Woo": This ad-lib is Pop Smoke's signature sound. It's more than just a sound; it's a reference to his affiliation and a declaration of his identity, appearing in many of his songs to signify his crew and the associated lifestyle.
• Violent Imagery: Recurring motifs of gunplay ("shoot up the party," "change the artillery," "two shots to the enemy") are central to the track's aggressive and threatening atmosphere, reinforcing the harsh realities of the world he depicts.
• Braggadocio about Wealth: The mention of expensive items and spending large amounts of money is a recurring motif that reinforces his status and success.