I <3 My Choppa

"I <3 My Choppa" is a raw and unapologetic exploration of the relationship between a young man and his firearm in a violent environment. On the surface, the song appears to be a glorification of gun violence, but a deeper analysis reveals themes of survival, dependency, and the psychological impact of street life. The central theme is the personification of the 'choppa' (an AK-47-style rifle), which Tay-K treats not as an inanimate object, but as a loyal, living companion. He repeatedly chants, "I love my choppa and I think she love me," suggesting a bond born out of necessity rather than mere affection. In a world where trust is scarce, the weapon becomes his most reliable ally, a symbol of power and agency in an environment where he feels disempowered.

The lyrics portray the gun as an extension of himself, even reversing the roles with the line, "I don't tote no choppa, bitch the choppa tote me." This implies that the violence and the lifestyle associated with the weapon have come to define and control his identity. The 'choppa' is described with human-like characteristics—it has "two arms and some feet" and "wake[s] up in the morning and it eat" (a metaphor for being loaded and used). This anthropomorphism highlights a profound psychological dependency, where affection is redirected from human relationships to the tool that ensures his survival and dominance. The song is a dark commentary on how individuals in dangerous circumstances can form deep attachments to their means of protection, viewing them as partners in a constant struggle for life.

The narrative opens with the artist cruising down the street, not alone, but with three women and his "yoppa," a slang term for a large automatic rifle, likely an AK-47, often referred to as a "choppa." He immediately begins to personify the weapon, suggesting it might as well be a female companion because it has "two arms and some feet." This personification deepens as he describes the gun's daily routine as if it were a living being: it wakes up in the morning and "eats," a grim metaphor for being loaded with ammunition and used to shoot. A central, recurring theme is introduced—a declaration of mutual affection: "I love my choppa and I think it love me." The reason for this bond, he suggests, is the autonomy he grants the weapon, letting it "do what it please," which implies unchecked violence.

The song continues to explore this dark relationship, weaving in elements of street life and a complete disregard for authority. He mentions calling on a "hitter" who will shoot for free, a transactional and cold depiction of violence. There's a brief, yet significant, moment of self-censorship—"Let me hush, that's between him and me"—hinting at the illicit and secretive nature of these actions. He pays homage to the late gangsta rap pioneer Eazy-E, aligning himself with a lineage of confrontational and controversial artists. This is followed by a derogatory dismissal of others, whom he labels as weak and feminine, asserting his own dominance. The "choppa" is further described with "extensions," referring to extended magazines, and he commands weaker individuals to get on their knees, a posture of submission and fear.

The artist's identity becomes intertwined with his weapon. A striking line, "I don't tote no choppa, bitch the choppa tote me," reverses the typical power dynamic. It suggests that the firearm is not merely a tool he carries, but a dominant force that carries him, dictating his actions and defining his existence. His aggression is palpable as he warns others to watch how they speak to him, with the "yoppa" being the ultimate enforcer that will leave a bloody scene. The imagery becomes increasingly graphic, with descriptions of blood "poppin' out yo jeans" and the weapon's "scream" drowning out the empty talk of his rivals. He juxtaposes his youth, stating he's only 16, with his possession of a powerful firearm like an FN Five-seven, highlighting the shocking reality of his situation. The brutal line about the "choppa beat[ing] his meat" serves as a crude and violent assertion of dominance over a perceived tough guy.

The final section delves into his personal background, attributing his own insanity to his family: "My momma insane and my daddy OG." This creates a sense of inherited chaos, leaving him with a confused and violent state of mind. He declares himself "EBK" (Everybody Killa), a commitment to indiscriminate violence, vowing to "put anything to sleep." The personification of the choppa reaches its peak as he humorously and disturbingly states, "I love my choppa and her parents wanna meet." This final, absurd image solidifies the weapon's role as his primary partner. The song concludes with a haunting, repetitive chant, a mantra of his devotion: "I love my choppa and I think she love me," cementing the central theme of a love born from violence, necessity, and a life lived on the edge.

"I <3 My Choppa" was released in 2017 as part of Tay-K's mixtape, #SantanaWorld. The song, like much of the project, was recorded and gained notoriety while Tay-K (born Taymor McIntyre) was a fugitive. After being charged in connection with a 2016 home invasion and murder, Tay-K cut off his ankle monitor in March 2017 and went on the run. It was during this period as a fugitive that he recorded much of his music, including his most famous song, "The Race." The raw, unfiltered energy of his music is often attributed to the real-life chaos surrounding its creation. The track was officially released on streaming services on December 14, 2017. The production is credited to PuertoView and Aaron West Jr. The song reflects the aggressive, Southern trap style that Tay-K became known for during his brief but impactful career before his final arrest on June 30, 2017.

The rhyme and rhythm of "I <3 My Choppa" are key to its aggressive and driving feel. The song is set to a fast tempo of 160 BPM, which propels the track forward with relentless energy.

Tay-K's flow is nimble and energetic, often slightly behind or ahead of the beat, giving it a raw, unpolished feel that enhances the song's chaotic atmosphere. The rhythm of his vocal delivery is conversational yet aggressive, creating a sense of immediacy and confrontation.

The rhyme scheme is relatively simple and direct, primarily using couplets (AABB) and frequent internal rhymes to maintain momentum. For example:

• "I was cruisin' down the street, four deep" (A)
• "Three bitches, one yoppa on me" (A)
• "And the yoppa might as well be a fe'" (B)
• "'Cause it got two arms and some feet" (B)

He also employs slant rhymes (e.g., me/E/knees, scream/16/meat) which is common in modern rap to allow for more lyrical flexibility. The repetition of the main hook, "I love my choppa and I think she love me," acts as a rhythmic anchor, breaking up the verses and reinforcing the song's central theme with its hypnotic, chant-like quality.

Tay-K's "I <3 My Choppa" is characterized by its raw and aggressive stylistic elements, both musically and lyrically.

• Vocal Delivery: Tay-K employs an energetic, often off-kilter and aggressive flow. His delivery is confrontational and direct, adding a sense of urgency and authenticity to the violent lyrical content. His voice is relatively dry in the mix, with minimal reverb, creating an in-your-face, raw sound. This contrasts with more polished, melodic trap styles, aligning him more with hardcore and horrorcore rap.
• Lyrical Style: The lyrics are built on blunt, shocking imagery and street slang ("yoppa," "hitter"). Tay-K uses extensive personification and metaphor to build the central concept of his relationship with his gun. There is a notable use of hyperbole and violent boasts to establish a persona of dominance and fearlessness.
• Musical Arrangement: The production, handled by PuertoView, features a menacing and dissonant trap beat. The instrumentation is sparse but heavy, with distorted bass and a driving rhythm that creates a dark, ominous atmosphere. The song's tempo is fast-paced at around 160 BPM, contributing to its frantic and aggressive energy. The track is notably short, lasting only 1 minute and 45 seconds, which adds to its explosive and impactful nature.

"I <3 My Choppa," along with Tay-K's breakout hit "The Race," had a significant, albeit controversial, cultural impact. The song was part of the #SantanaWorld mixtape, which gained notoriety because it was largely created and released while Tay-K was a 17-year-old fugitive from the law, facing murder charges. This real-life backstory created a morbid fascination and a cult following, turning Tay-K into an infamous figure in the SoundCloud rap era.

The song's raw energy and unapologetic lyrics resonated with a segment of the youth, and its influence can be seen in the numerous remixes it inspired. A notable remix featured Houston rapper Maxo Kream, and another featured Rich The Kid. Several other artists have sampled or interpolated the track, including Monaleo in "I <3 My Nigga" and Sexyy Red in "I Love My Nickel."

However, the song's most significant legacy is tied to Tay-K's legal troubles. Like "The Race," the violent and incriminating lyrics of his songs were scrutinized and discussed in relation to his criminal cases. His story became a prominent example in the ongoing debate about whether rap lyrics should be used as evidence in court. Ultimately, Tay-K was sentenced to 55 years in prison, cutting short a promising, if deeply troubled, musical career and cementing songs like "I <3 My Choppa" as artifacts of a brief, chaotic, and tragic moment in hip-hop history.

The most significant symbolic element in "I <3 My Choppa" is the personification of the firearm. The 'choppa' transcends its function as a weapon to become a multifaceted symbol.

• A Loyal Companion: Tay-K imbues the rifle with human characteristics, calling it "she" and claiming it loves him back. Lines like "it got two arms and some feet" and "her parents wanna meet" are examples of anthropomorphism that frame the weapon as a trusted partner in a hostile world. This transforms the gun from a tool of violence into a metaphorical family member or lover, representing the only form of loyalty and protection the narrator feels he can rely on.
• A Symbol of Power and Agency: In an environment where the artist feels powerless, the 'choppa' represents control and dominance. It's the great equalizer that allows a 16-year-old to command fear and respect. The act of "let[ting] that bitch do what it please" is a metaphor for unleashing chaos and asserting his will over others through violence.
• The Embodiment of Identity: The line "I don't tote no choppa, bitch the choppa tote me" is a powerful metaphor for how the narrator's identity has become consumed by the violence he perpetrates. He is no longer simply a person with a gun; he is defined by the gun. It dictates his actions, his reputation, and his path in life. The weapon is not just an accessory to his lifestyle; it *is* his lifestyle.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is the hook: "I love my choppa and I think she love me." This line is repeated seven times at the end of the song, functioning as a mantra that encapsulates the entire narrative. Its repetition emphasizes the narrator's deep, almost devotional attachment to his weapon, cementing it as the central theme. The phrase's recurrence drills home the idea that this is not just a passing thought, but a core belief and a fundamental aspect of his identity and survival.

Another recurring motif is the personification of the 'choppa' or 'yoppa'. Throughout the song, the weapon is consistently referred to with female pronouns ("she") and given human-like qualities and actions. It "eats," has "parents," and can be a companion. This recurring personification is the primary lyrical device used to explore the song's themes of dependency and the blurring lines between man and machine in a violent world.