WUSYANAME (feat. Youngboy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla $ign)

"WUSYANAME" is a narrative track that explores the whirlwind experience of love at first sight and immediate infatuation. The song, set against the backdrop of a road trip, tells the story of the protagonist, Tyler Baudelaire, who becomes completely smitten with a woman he has just met. Lyrically, Tyler spins a fantasy of a lavish and exciting life he wants to share with her, from flying to Cannes for indie films to simply showing her how to exfoliate. This detailed daydream contrasts sharply with the reality that he knows absolutely nothing about her, not even her name, which is the central question of the chorus. The song captures the specific feeling of crafting perfect scenarios in one's head when struck by someone's beauty, even before a real conversation has happened. The music video further deepens this meaning by revealing a twist: the woman is seemingly oblivious to Tyler's advances and walks over to her actual date, suggesting the entire romantic monologue might have been an internal fantasy. YoungBoy Never Broke Again's verse complements this theme, expressing a similar lovestruck sentiment while also valuing genuine connection over material wealth. Ultimately, the song is a playful yet poignant look at the romanticized projections we cast onto strangers and the humorous, slightly melancholic gap between our elaborate fantasies and reality.

The song opens with a spoken-word introduction by Tyler, The Creator, setting a scene of aimless driving and exploration in California. He describes a lifestyle of spontaneous global travel for simple pleasures, like seeing a show in Vienna or racing dolphins on jet skis. This particular journey, however, is for a specific type of brioche a friend recommended. It's during this quest that he encounters a captivating woman, referred to simply as "She."

As the beat drops, transitioning into a smooth, '90s R&B-influenced melody, Tyler's verse begins. He approaches the woman with a uniquely awkward and comical pick-up line, "Aw, you look malnourished," immediately offering to get her a rich, syrupy breakfast. He then launches into a series of grand, romantic propositions, painting a picture of a luxurious and cultured life they could share. He suggests spontaneous trips, picking a destination and a private jet, and becoming tourists together. His fantasy itinerary includes visiting Cannes to watch obscure indie films, listening to bands, dancing in France, and experiencing simple, sensory pleasures like the wind and perfume. He even offers a playful, intimate tip on how to exfoliate skin. Tyler's persona, "Tyler Baudelaire," is confident yet charmingly earnest, urging her to leave her current partner and run away with him. He presents himself as a safe space for her to open up emotionally, to "get it off her chest." He confesses his strong attraction, comparing himself to a moth drawn to her bright light, and clarifies that his intentions are serious. The verse culminates in him realizing he's gotten ahead of himself and doesn't even know her name, leading directly into the chorus.

The chorus, a repetitive and catchy hook, is a simple, direct question: "What's your name, girlfriend, what's your name?" This refrain, sung with smooth background vocals from Ty Dolla $ign, underscores the central theme of infatuation and the desire for a basic connection amidst the grand fantasies. It highlights the irony of planning a future with a stranger.

The second verse is delivered by YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who continues the theme of romantic pursuit but from a slightly different angle. He also asks for her name and what she brings to the table, suggesting he has what she needs and is willing to do anything for her. His metaphors are more direct and physical, like wanting to "get down to the root of the apple" in her jeans. He references a fast McLaren, likening it to Sonic the Hedgehog, but implies a desire to slow down. He shifts tone to express that material possessions are meaningless compared to the value of spending quality time with her. He describes a beautiful scene that could quickly turn sour, ending with a moment of self-awareness: "Think slow, 'cause I move fast." This line, a favorite of Tyler's, adds a layer of introspection to YoungBoy's otherwise forward approach, acknowledging the potential pitfalls of his quick infatuation.

The song concludes with the chorus repeating, emphasizing the central, unanswered question. An outro with ad-libs from DJ Drama and Tyler's playful offer to "pay your momma debt off" fades out, leaving the listener in the same state of hopeful, yet uncertain, romantic fantasy that the song creates.

"WUSYANAME" was released on June 22, 2021, as the second single from Tyler, The Creator's seventh studio album, Call Me If You Get Lost. The song was produced entirely by Tyler himself. It is built around a prominent sample of the 1994 song "Back Seat (Wit No Sheets)" by the Houston R&B group H-Town. Tyler repurposed the sample by increasing its pitch and tempo, using four loops throughout the track to create its signature '90s R&B and New Jack Swing feel. The creation reflects the album's overall aesthetic, which was heavily influenced by DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz mixtape series from the early 2000s, blending raw, braggadocious raps with lush, soulful production. The collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again came from Tyler's desire for a specific Louisiana accent and tone on the track. He reached out to YoungBoy with the idea, who then sent back his verse. Tyler has expressed his admiration for YoungBoy, calling him a "sweetheart" and an "interesting person," and noted that one of his favorite moments on the entire album is when YoungBoy says "think slow" in his verse. The song was recorded between 2019 and 2021 at various studios in Los Angeles and Malibu. The music video, directed by Tyler under his alias Wolf Haley, was released concurrently with the single and is a key part of the album's narrative, introducing the love interest played by actress Helena Howard and tying into other visuals from the Call Me If You Get Lost era.

The song employs several layers of symbolism and metaphor to enrich its narrative of infatuation.

• Travel and Luxury as a Metaphor for Escape and Romantic Grandeur: Tyler's character, the globetrotting "Sir Baudelaire," uses imagery of travel (flying to Cannes, Vienna) and luxury (private jets, fancy food) as a metaphor for the grand, idealized romance he envisions. This isn't just about wealth; it symbolizes a desire to escape the mundane and create a perfect, movie-like world for his love interest.
• The Moth to a Flame Metaphor: Tyler explicitly uses the simile, "You are my type, you a bright light / I'm like a moth," to describe his irresistible attraction. This classic metaphor powerfully conveys a sense of being helplessly and instinctively drawn to someone, emphasizing the intensity of his love at first sight.
• "Malnourished" as a Quirky Metaphor for Needing an Experience: The opening line, "Aw, you look malnourished," functions as a bizarre yet memorable metaphor. While literally referring to food, it symbolically suggests the woman is starved of the excitement, culture, and care that Tyler believes he can provide. He explained he thought it would be funny to use "the worst pick up line ever" and then justify it with grand offers.
• YoungBoy's "Root of the Apple": In his verse, YoungBoy's line, "I'm tryna get down to the root of the apple / The deepest I could in them jeans," uses the apple as a metaphor with biblical connotations (temptation, forbidden fruit) to express a desire for deep intimacy and knowledge, both physical and emotional.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "WUSYANAME" is a blend of dreamy, hopeful infatuation and playful, self-aware charisma. The song radiates a warm, sun-drenched feeling, driven by the lush, nostalgic '90s R&B sample and smooth vocal harmonies from Ty Dolla $ign. This creates a landscape of romantic fantasy and optimism. Tyler's verses are filled with excitement and breathless energy as he lays out his elaborate, spontaneous plans, conveying the head-over-heels giddiness of a new crush. However, this isn't a purely earnest declaration. There's a layer of humorous self-awareness, particularly in the awkward pick-up line, which injects a lighthearted and endearing quality. YoungBoy Never Broke Again's verse introduces a slightly more wistful and introspective tone, touching on the limitations of materialism and acknowledging the speed of his own feelings with the line "Think slow, 'cause I move fast." The music video adds a final emotional layer of slight melancholy and disappointment with the revelation that the connection may have been entirely one-sided, a fantasy in Tyler's head. This results in a mixed but predominantly positive emotional tone: the joy and excitement of a crush, colored by the bittersweet reality that it might just be a fleeting daydream.

"WUSYANAME" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, becoming the highest-charting track from the critically acclaimed album Call Me If You Get Lost. The song was a commercial success, debuting at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and performing well globally, charting in countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. Its popularity was bolstered by a retro-themed music video, directed by Tyler himself under his Wolf Haley alias, which was widely praised for its aesthetic and narrative. Critically, the song was lauded for its production, Tyler's lyrical delivery, and its successful revival of a '90s R&B sound. It was often singled out as a highlight of the album and was named one of the best hip-hop songs of 2021 by publications like HipHopDX. The track earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, further cementing its critical acclaim. The unexpected collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again was also a major talking point, with many critics and fans praising Tyler for bringing out a different, more "wistful" side of the rapper, with some calling it one of YoungBoy's best features. The song solidified Tyler's evolution into a more mature artist capable of blending various genres and nostalgic elements into a contemporary and commercially successful sound.

"WUSYANAME" features a dynamic interplay of rhyme and rhythm that contributes to its conversational yet technically impressive flow. The song's tempo is bright at approximately 140 BPM, set in a standard 4/4 time signature.

Tyler, The Creator employs a complex and playful rhyme scheme in his verse. He is noted for his use of multi-syllabic rhymes. An analysis of his opening lines reveals a deceptive ABAB rhyme scheme that toys with listener expectations. For instance, "malnourished" (A) rhymes loosely with "heard of" (A), while "syrup" (B) finds a more perfect rhyme in "tourists" (B, with his pronunciation). The verse continues with intricate internal rhymes and patterns that make the delivery feel both effortless and virtuosic.

The rhythmic structure is built on hard-hitting boom-bap drums layered over the smooth, looping R&B sample. This creates a contrast between the sharp percussion and the fluid melodic background. Tyler's lyrical rhythm is fast-paced and syncopated, often weaving in and out of the primary beat, giving his delivery a machine-gun-like quality at times. This contrasts with the more laid-back, melodic rhythm of the chorus sung by Ty Dolla $ign and the slightly more measured, melancholic flow of YoungBoy's verse. The overall effect is a track that feels both nostalgic and modern, rhythmically complex yet easy to groove to.

"WUSYANAME" is rich with stylistic techniques that define its unique character.

• Musical Pastiche and Sampling: The song's core is its masterful use of pastiche, emulating '90s R&B and New Jack Swing. This is primarily achieved through the prominent, sped-up sample of H-Town's "Back Seat (Wit No Sheets)," which provides the lush, soulful, and nostalgic foundation of the track.
• Narrative Persona (Alter Ego): Tyler performs as his alter ego for the album, "Tyler Baudelaire," a sophisticated, world-traveling aesthete. This persona allows for a specific narrative voice that is both boastful and endearingly romantic, framing the song as a story within a larger conceptual album.
• Spoken-Word Introduction: The track begins with a monologue, a technique used across the album to set the scene and establish the narrative context, reminiscent of a mixtape host. This cinematic opening grounds the listener in the story before the music begins.
• Juxtaposition in Vocal Delivery: The song features a dynamic interplay of vocal styles. Tyler's energetic, almost-conversational rap flow, filled with intricate rhymes, is contrasted with the smooth, melodic R&B vocals of Ty Dolla $ign in the background and chorus, and the distinctive, wistful cadence of YoungBoy Never Broke Again's verse. Ad-libs from DJ Drama also add a layer of classic mixtape energy.
• Humor and Irony: A key literary technique is the use of humor and irony in the lyrics. Tyler's opening pick-up line, "Aw, you look malnourished," is intentionally awkward and comical, subverting typical romantic tropes. The central irony of the song is the grand, detailed future he plans with a woman whose name he doesn't even know.

What is the song 'WUSYANAME' by Tyler, The Creator about?

The song narrates a story of love at first sight, where Tyler's character becomes infatuated with a woman he just met. He fantasizes about a lavish life with her, only to realize he doesn't even know her name, which becomes the central hook of the song.

What sample is used in 'WUSYANAME'?

The song prominently samples the 1994 R&B track 'Back Seat (Wit No Sheets)' by the Houston-based group H-Town. Tyler, The Creator increased the pitch and tempo of the original sample to create the song's signature '90s-inspired beat.

Who is featured on Tyler, The Creator's 'WUSYANAME'?

The track features fellow American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who delivers the second verse, and singer Ty Dolla $ign, who provides background vocals and ad-libs. DJ Drama also has spoken ad-libs on the track.

What is the meaning of the opening line 'Aw, you look malnourished'?

Tyler, The Creator explained on Twitter that he intentionally used what he considered 'the worst pick up line ever' for comedic effect. The line is meant to be an absurd, funny way to initiate a conversation and offer to buy the woman food.

What happens in the music video for 'WUSYANAME'?

In the video, directed by Tyler, he follows a woman he's smitten with around a French-style patisserie, rapping about the life they could have. The video has a twist ending where the woman, seemingly unaware of his monologue, walks past him to meet her date, played by Odd Future's Taco Bennett.

What does 'WUSYANAME' stand for?

'WUSYANAME' is a phonetic, stylized spelling of the question 'What's your name?'. This question is the central theme and the main lyric of the song's chorus.

When was 'WUSYANAME' released and for what album?

'WUSYANAME' was released on June 22, 2021, as the second single from Tyler, The Creator's seventh studio album, 'Call Me If You Get Lost'.