beibs in the trap

"beibs in the trap" is a dark, atmospheric anthem that chronicles a hedonistic and nihilistic lifestyle centered around drug use, wealth, and casual sex. The song's title itself is a central metaphor: 'beibs' is a slang term for cocaine, derived from Justin Bieber's last name and his ethnicity, often referred to as 'white girl' in street slang for the drug. The 'trap' therefore refers to the environment—be it a house, a party, or the lifestyle itself—where this drug-fueled activity takes place. The song, featuring and produced by Canadian artist Nav, dives into a narrative of excess without passing judgment, presenting it as a nocturnal, almost dreamlike state of being.

Lyrically, the song explicitly details the preparation of lean (codeine syrup mixed with soda) and the use of cocaine and Xanax. It portrays a world where luxury items, like Lamborghinis, coexist with the gritty reality of drug culture. The artists describe a continuous cycle of partying with women, where relationships are superficial and transactional. The line "Are you sure you want to party with the demons?" serves as a rhetorical question, suggesting that this lifestyle, while alluring, is fraught with danger and moral ambiguity.

Beyond the surface-level depiction of debauchery, the song also touches on a sense of isolation. The lyric "Ain't no service in the mountains" symbolizes a disconnect from the real world and its responsibilities, a state of being so enveloped in this 'trap' that outside communication is impossible. This suggests that the glamorous high life comes at the cost of being ensnared in a 'social trap,' a concept Travis Scott mentioned was a theme for the entire album, *Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight*. It's about being constricted and unable to express oneself freely, caught in a cycle of indulgence.

The song unfolds as a hazy, nocturnal narrative centered on a lifestyle of unrestrained hedonism, primarily focused on drug use and casual sexual encounters. The narrator, along with his partner and friends, is immersed in a world of partying. The story begins with the act of preparing and consuming 'lean'—a concoction of codeine cough syrup mixed with soda, with the addition of candies to sweeten it. This is juxtaposed with imagery of a white woman, referred to as 'beibs' (a slang term for cocaine, referencing Justin Bieber), engaging in drug use. This sets a decadent and reckless tone that persists throughout the track.

As the narrative progresses, it delves deeper into this sybaritic existence. The lyrics paint a picture of driving a luxury car, a Lamborghini, back to a less affluent neighborhood, highlighting a stark contrast and a flex of newfound wealth. The protagonist details encounters with various women, emphasizing a detached and transactional nature. He speaks of taking them to the back, implying sexual activity, and mentions providing them with drugs like Xanax. The atmosphere is one of a continuous, drug-fueled party, where connections are fleeting and based on mutual indulgence.

A sense of isolation and disconnection from the outside world permeates the song, captured in the line, "Tryna text my accountant, ain't no service in the mountains." This suggests being so high, both literally and figuratively in a secluded, luxurious world, that normal responsibilities are out of reach. It underscores a theme of being trapped within this lifestyle, a cycle of highs and excess that distances the narrator from reality. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central theme: the constant presence of drugs ('beibs') within their environment ('the trap'). The narrative doesn't seek to moralize; it's a raw, unfiltered depiction of a life lived on the edge, characterized by luxury, narcotics, and a dark, intoxicating allure.

"beibs in the trap" was released on September 2, 2016, as the fifth track on Travis Scott's second studio album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight. The song is a collaboration with Canadian rapper and producer Nav, who is credited as the sole producer and a featured artist. The track was written by Travis Scott (Jacques Webster II), Nav (Navraj Goraya), and Amir "Cash" Esmailian, Nav's manager.

The creation of the song was remarkably swift and organic. In an interview, Nav revealed that he created the beat in approximately 15 minutes. He then recorded a verse and the hook but struggled to come up with a second verse. He played the unfinished track for his manager, Cash, who then sent it to Travis Scott. Scott liked the track, leading to the collaboration.

Nav also described the humble and challenging conditions under which he recorded his parts, using a slow, broken computer and a faulty preamp at his mother's house. This setup caused timing issues in the recording that he had to fix manually, line by line. The song's title is a direct reference to Justin Bieber, with whom Scott had previously collaborated on the songs "Maria I'm Drunk" and "No Sense". The term 'Beibs' was repurposed as slang for cocaine, a key theme in the track.

The rhyme and rhythm of "beibs in the trap" are defining features of its trap genre identity. The song's tempo is approximately 119 BPM (Beats Per Minute), but like much of trap music, it's often felt at half-time (around 60 BPM), creating a slow, narcotic groove against which the fast-paced lyrical delivery unfolds.

The rhythmic structure is dominated by the drums. The kick drum pattern is sparse and syncopated, hitting at irregular intervals rather Presteady four-on-the-floor beat, which provides the characteristic trap 'bounce'. The snares or claps typically hit on the third beat of each measure, creating a strong backbeat. However, the most rhythmically complex element is the hi-hats. They are programmed with rapid-fire 16th and 32nd notes, and frequent use of triplets and rolls, creating a skittering, energetic texture that contrasts with the slow overall feel.

Lyrically, the artists employ a fluid, conversational flow that often disregards strict metrical structure, prioritizing vibe and cadence over complex rhyme schemes. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and irregular, relying heavily on slant rhymes and assonance to connect lines. For example, in the chorus, "trap" and "back" form a perfect rhyme, but the focus is more on the rhythmic repetition of the phrase "beibs in the trap." The use of triplet flows (fitting three syllables into the space of two beats) is a common feature, allowing the rappers to vary their pace and add rhythmic complexity to their verses.

"beibs in the trap" is a quintessential example of Travis Scott's atmospheric and psychedelic take on trap music, employing several distinct stylistic techniques.

• Vocal Production: Scott's and Nav's vocals are heavily processed with Auto-Tune and reverb, a hallmark of Scott's sound. This is not used merely for pitch correction but as an aesthetic tool to create a detached, ethereal, and non-human quality. The ad-libs ("yeah!", "straight up!") are rhythmically placed to add energy and punctuate phrases, acting as another layer of percussion.
• Musical Arrangement: The production, handled entirely by Nav, is minimalist yet atmospheric. It relies on an eerie, repetitive sci-fi synth melody that creates a hypnotic and druggy feel. The beat is built on the foundations of trap: deep, booming 808 bass, crisp snare and clap sounds, and complex, skittering hi-hat patterns (including triplets and rolls) that drive the song's rhythm.
• Lyrical Voice: The narrative is delivered from a first-person perspective that is observational and non-judgmental. The tone is languid and detached, mirroring the effects of the substances described in the lyrics. The use of brand names (Lamborghini, XO) and specific drug terminology grounds the ethereal sound in a tangible reality of luxury and excess.
• Song Structure: The structure is simple and repetitive, centered around a memorable hook. This cyclical nature enhances the theme of being 'trapped' in a recurring loop of hedonistic behavior. The back-and-forth between Nav and Scott creates a conversational dynamic, as if they are two participants sharing their experiences within the same hazy, nocturnal world.

"beibs in the trap" made a significant cultural impact as a standout track from Travis Scott's critically and commercially successful album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight. The album itself debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, solidifying Scott's position as a major force in contemporary hip-hop.

While not released as one of the album's official lead singles, the song gained immense popularity through streaming and its memorable music video. It eventually charted on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 90, and was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA, signifying sales and streaming equivalent units of over two million in the US. The song became a party anthem and a staple in Scott's live performances, celebrated for its "banger" status and atmospheric production.

The track was also instrumental in introducing the producer and featured artist, Nav, to a wider mainstream audience. His unique production style and vocal performance on the song were a significant launchpad for his career, leading to his signing with XO Records. The music video, directed by RJ Sanchez, further cemented the song's aesthetic with its dark, futuristic visuals, featuring a metallic silver Lamborghini and models in a stark, flashing hangar, which became influential for its moody style.

The song is built around a central, layered metaphor encapsulated in its title, "beibs in the trap".

• 'Beibs' as Cocaine: The primary symbol is the word 'beibs,' a shortened form of Justin Bieber's last name. It functions as a slang term for cocaine. This metaphor works on two levels: first, it's a nod to Bieber's race ("white girl" is a common street name for cocaine), and second, it connects the song's hedonistic themes to the world of mainstream pop culture, creating a jarring but effective juxtaposition. The recurring line, "I just pulled up in a ghost, I'm with the 'beibs' in the trap," directly translates to arriving with cocaine in the party environment.
• 'The Trap': While a 'trap house' literally refers to a place where drugs are sold, in the context of the song, 'the trap' is a broader metaphor for the hedonistic, insular lifestyle itself. It's a social and psychological state of being ensnared by drugs, parties, and a superficial existence. The album's full title, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, extends this metaphor, suggesting that the artists are like caged birds, creating their music from within this confined 'trap'.
• 'Mountains' and Isolation: The lyric, "Tryna text my accountant, ain't no service in the mountains," uses the image of remote mountains as a metaphor for the profound isolation and detachment that this lifestyle creates. They are 'high' in every sense of the word—geographically, under the influence, and in social status—but this elevation cuts them off from the mundane realities and responsibilities of the outside world.

"beibs in the trap" is structured around several recurring motifs and phrases that reinforce its central themes of hedonism and entrapment.

• The Hook: "Beibs in the trap" - This is the song's primary lyrical motif and hook. Its constant repetition drills the central metaphor into the listener's mind: the inescapable presence of cocaine ('beibs') within their environment ('the trap'). Each time the phrase returns, it reinforces the cyclical, almost claustrophobic nature of the lifestyle being described.
• Drug and Party Motif: The song consistently references specific elements of a party lifestyle, including lean ("pour a eight in a liter"), cocaine ("white girl"), and pills ("xans"). These references are not isolated but form a recurring backdrop, painting a detailed picture of the environment.
• Luxury and Status Motif: The mention of a Lamborghini ("Drove the Lambo to the hood") is a recurring symbol of wealth and status, a classic trap music trope. It serves as a stark contrast to the 'trap' and highlights the artist's rise while remaining connected to a grittier world.
• Musical Motif: The primary musical motif is the haunting, ethereal synthesizer melody that loops throughout the entire song. This simple, repetitive melodic phrase is the track's sonic signature. Its unchanging nature contributes significantly to the hypnotic, static, and 'trapped' feeling of the song, mirroring the lyrical themes of being caught in a cycle.