love hate

At its core, "love hate" explores the paradoxical and often isolating experience of achieving success within the underground rap scene. The central theme is the artist's intense internal conflict, perfectly encapsulated by the titular phrase and the opening line detailing his relationship with his neighborhood. He is torn between a deep-seated loyalty to his roots and an intense frustration with the toxic behaviors, lack of ambition, and superficiality that often surround him.

The song acts as a commentary on the hollow nature of material wealth. While xaviersobased frequently flexes his newfound money, designer clothes, and ability to travel, these boasts are heavily juxtaposed with moments of stark vulnerability. He acknowledges that his riches have attracted fake friends, opportunistic women, and jealous peers, transforming his social interactions into transactional, meaningless encounters. Furthermore, the lyrics delve into the dark reality of using substances to cope with this alienation. The explicit mentions of drug use are not merely celebratory but are framed as a coping mechanism to avoid feeling anything at all. This tragic duality—projecting an image of a wealthy, untouchable figure while internally battling depression and watching friends succumb to addiction—gives the song a profound, nuanced depth that transcends standard braggadocio hip-hop.

The narrative unfolds as a stark exploration of duality, immediately establishing a conflicted relationship with the narrator's origins. He expresses a simultaneous affection and disdain for his neighborhood, acknowledging that while it is his home, it is also a place where he must cut off those who lack ambition or financial stability. The focus then shifts to the spoils of his newfound success, detailing encounters with women who are eager to please him and his indulgence in premium cannabis, specifically referring to the latest strains of MadBudz. He paints a vivid picture of a lavish lifestyle, casually throwing large sums of money in the club and dismissing his detractors as soft and cowardly, noting that their online bravado quickly fades when they are face-to-face.

As the story progresses, a deeper sense of alienation begins to surface. The narrator reflects on the doubts cast upon him in his youth, particularly by teachers who predicted his failure, contrasting their negativity with his current financial triumph. However, this wealth brings new complications, as he finds himself surrounded by jealous peers and opportunistic individuals who approach him with ulterior motives. He questions why people interact with him as if he needs them, highlighting the transactional nature of his new social circles.

Amidst the boasting about designer watches like Patek Philippe, private flights to California, and abundant drugs, a profound sense of melancholy and emotional numbness is revealed. He admits to rolling blunts specifically to suppress his feelings and describes himself as a "depressed shooter" who weeps despite his riches. The narrative takes a dark turn as he observes the devastating impact of substance abuse on his friends, confessing that it hurts him deeply to witness their struggles. Ultimately, the story is a poignant reflection on the isolating reality of underground fame, where material abundance and superficial encounters serve as a fragile mask for underlying depression, mistrust, and the painful recognition of a fractured community.

The track "love hate" was officially released on June 6, 2024, as a standout single on xaviersobased's project with 2 (hosted by d9lton). Released under the 34 Ent. label, the song was produced by hadif10k, a producer known for his work in the underground internet rap space.

xaviersobased, born Xavier Lopez, had been building a significant cult following since 2016, becoming a pioneering figure in the internet-born "jerk" and "plugg" microgenres alongside his 1c34 collective. The creation of "love hate" reflects this specific era of highly experimental, DIY rap music that relies on fast BPMs, heavy 808s, and hazy, digitized atmospheres. The track's development was deeply influenced by the artist's rapid rise to internet fame and the resulting lifestyle changes. It captures a transitional period in his life, blending his experiences of dealing with newfound money, and the darker, drug-fueled reality of his peer group.

The song primarily utilizes a fast-paced, syncopated rhythm over a backing track that runs at approximately 182 BPM. The rapid beat dictates a specific bounce, which xaviersobased navigates with a deceptively laid-back, almost slurred vocal cadence. This interplay between a hyperactive beat and a relaxed flow is a defining characteristic of his sound.

Lyrically, the song relies on end rhymes and a predominantly monorhyme or AABB scheme in its verses. For example, he chains rhymes like block / blocked / slop / drop and club / soft / somethin' / muggin' (using slant rhymes to keep the flow consistent). The rhymes are simple and direct, prioritizing the rhythmic pocket and the raw delivery over complex, multi-syllabic lyricism. Internal pauses and short, punchy phrases mimic the erratic thought process of someone navigating a chaotic party environment while dealing with internal numbness.

Musically, "love hate" is a prime example of the "jerk" and "plugg" rap microgenres. The instrumental, produced by hadif10k, features a rapid 182 BPM tempo characterized by hyperactive, bouncing 808s and hazy, ethereal synthesizer melodies. This creates a frantic, almost chaotic musical backdrop that contrasts sharply with xaviersobased's vocal delivery. His flow is somewhat lethargic, deadpan, and conversational, creating a unique stylistic friction that draws the listener in.

From a literary standpoint, the song heavily employs repetition and rhetorical questions to emphasize his feelings of alienation. The repeated query, "Why they tryna talk to me like I need somethin'?" acts as a central motif of his frustration. He uses stark juxtaposition to heighten the emotional impact, shifting immediately from flexing a Patek Philippe watch to describing himself as a "depressed shooter". Furthermore, the use of visceral, modern slang and direct, unpolished language gives the lyrics a raw, authentic, and unfiltered quality, typical of the SoundCloud underground rap scene.

While operating within the underground, "love hate" has significant cultural resonance within the Gen Z internet rap scene. xaviersobased is widely credited, along with his 1c34 collective, for pioneering the "jerk" microgenre—a style that features frantic, distorted 808s and surreal lyricism.

The track gained considerable traction on platforms like Audiomack and SoundCloud, resonating with a youth culture that often deals with the same themes of digital alienation, nihilism, and the complexities of modern success. By the time he was featured in publications like Ones To Watch and NME, cementing his status as an emerging leader of the current underground rebellion, "love hate" had become a definitive anthem of his catalog. Its raw, unpolished nature represents a direct rebellion against the highly sanitized hip-hop of its time.

The most prominent symbol in the song is "the block", which represents not just a physical location, but the artist's past, his origins, and a mindset. Loving and hating the block symbolizes the universal struggle of outgrowing one's environment while still feeling tethered to it. It is a place of foundational identity but also a site of stagnation and jealousy.

Substances, specifically "MadBudz" and "Cali gas", function metaphorically as agents of emotional suppression. They represent a barrier the artist places between himself and the painful realities of his life, explicitly stating he smokes to "feel nothin'". Additionally, material items like "bands" (money) and designer watches act as symbols of vindication against those who doubted him—specifically his former teachers. However, these same symbols of triumph ironically highlight his current isolation, as they are the very things attracting the superficial and opportunistic people he despises.

The defining motif of the track is the opening phrase: "Bitch, I love the block, but I hate the block." This recurring idea anchors the song in a theme of unresolved conflict and duality. It establishes the tone immediately and serves as the emotional core of the track.

Another significant recurring phrase is the rhetorical question, "Why they tryna talk to me like I need somethin'?" This hook acts as an anchor in the song's structure, reflecting his growing paranoia and exhaustion with transactional relationships. The repetition of these specific lines not only makes the song catchy and memorable for a digital audience but also musically mimics the cyclical nature of his thoughts—constantly returning to his roots and his frustration with his current social standing.