Look At Me!

"Look At Me!" by XXXTENTACION is a raw and unapologetic anthem of youthful rebellion, alienation, and a desperate cry for attention. The song's meaning is multifaceted, reflecting the late rapper's controversial public persona and his unfiltered artistic expression. At its core, the track is an aggressive demand to be seen and acknowledged, using shock value and confrontational lyrics to disrupt mainstream sensibilities. The repetitive, forceful hook, "Look at me," serves as a direct and primal plea for focus, reflecting a deep-seated need for validation, even if it comes from negative reactions.

The lyrical content is a chaotic whirlwind of braggadocio, misogyny, violence, and hedonism. XXXTENTACION paints a picture of a life lived on the edge, characterized by casual sex, drug use, and a readiness for violence. Lines like "Can't keep my dick in my pants" and boasts about wealth and drug consumption project an image of impulsive, reckless behavior. This isn't just a celebration of a decadent lifestyle; it's also a reflection of a nihilistic and self-destructive mindset. The violent threats and explicit descriptions of sexual acts are designed to be jarring and to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in popular music.

However, beneath the surface-level shock, there's a palpable sense of pain and alienation. The song can be interpreted as the manifestation of a troubled youth lashing out at a world from which he feels disconnected. The references to an "emo bitch" and the overall dark, aggressive tone connect the song to feelings of depression and being an outcast. In this context, the demand to be looked at is not just an arrogant command, but a desperate attempt to be seen by a society that has marginalized him. The song became an anthem for a generation of disaffected youth who related to its raw emotion and anti-establishment energy.

The narrator begins with a confrontational and possessive tone towards a woman, questioning who her partner is and asserting his own sexual impulsiveness, stating he "can't keep my dick in my pants." This is immediately followed by a sense of rejection, as he reveals his partner no longer loves him and wants to end their association. He responds with a dismissive attitude, suggesting their connection was purely physical. The narrative then shifts to a display of a reckless and hedonistic lifestyle. He boasts about his expensive jewelry and his casual use of drugs, bringing a significant amount of marijuana ("a pound of that boof") directly to the music studio. His fashion sense is highlighted with a mention of his Tommy Hilfiger boots. The tone escalates to violent threats, warning that if anyone threatens his friend, he will retaliate by harming their parents. This is juxtaposed with a careless attitude towards his expensive Ksubi jeans, which are stained with lean, a codeine-based drink. This imagery reinforces a persona that is both boastful and self-destructive, flaunting wealth while simultaneously being indifferent to it.

The central, repeated demand of the song is an aggressive and raw cry for attention: "Look at me." This is often paired with the explicit and commanding phrase "fuck on me," reducing interaction to a primal, physical level. This repetition acts as the song's anchor, a desperate and forceful plea for acknowledgment amidst the chaos of his life. It's a raw expression of wanting to be seen, even if that attention is garnered through shock and provocation. The simplicity and rawness of the hook make it incredibly memorable and impactful, drilling the central theme of a desire for notice into the listener's mind.

Further verses delve deeper into provocative and shocking imagery. A graphic sexual encounter is described, involving taking a white woman to a Starbucks, which is then retold with explicit detail. This line, in particular, became notorious for its shock value, designed to be disruptive and to challenge conventional norms. He continues with themes of promiscuity and rebellion, referencing having multiple partners with a flippant comparison to Mormonism. He also mentions an "emo bitch" and alludes to self-harm in a casual, almost boastful manner, further aligning himself with a subculture of outcasts and emotional turmoil. The phrase "rock out" is used, connecting his aggressive energy to the spirit of rock and metal music, which clearly influences the track's abrasive sound. The narrative is one of a young individual who feels alienated and responds with a barrage of confrontational and taboo actions and statements, all in a desperate bid to be acknowledged.

"Look at Me!" was born out of a spontaneous and rapid creative process in 2015. The beat was crafted by producers Rojas and Jimmy Duval. Initially, the instrumental was intended for New Jersey rapper Retch, who was in Miami for some shows. However, Retch was incarcerated, and the producers lost contact with his management, leaving the beat unused.

Rojas had seen XXXTENTACION perform at a local heavy metal show and was impressed by his energy. Later, while Rojas and X were together, Rojas played him a series of beats. X wasn't connecting with any of them until the very last one, the beat that would become "Look at Me!". According to Rojas, XXXTENTACION immediately knew it was the right one and had the entire song formulated in his head. The track was reportedly completed in just 15 minutes.

A key creative decision made by XXXTENTACION was to heavily distort the entire track. This was a deliberate choice to make the song stand out from the cleaner, more polished hip-hop tracks of the time and to give it a raw, aggressive, and unique sound. The song heavily samples the 2007 dubstep track "Changes" by British producer Mala.

"Look at Me!" was first uploaded to SoundCloud on December 30, 2015, on Rojas's account. It was later released as a single for digital download on January 29, 2016. The song became a sleeper hit, gaining significant traction in January 2017, which led to its re-release on February 20, 2017, through Empire Distribution, along with a remastered and clean version. The single's re-release cover art famously features XXXTENTACION's mugshot.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Look At Me!" are integral to its aggressive and chaotic feel. The song's structure is relatively simple, prioritizing raw energy over complex lyrical patterns.

Rhyme Scheme: The song largely employs a free verse structure, with rhymes appearing irregularly rather than in a consistent AABB or ABAB pattern. For instance, in the main verse, you have end rhymes like "pants" and "friends," and "ten" with "amen," but they are part of a more conversational flow rather than a rigid scheme. Internal rhymes are also used, such as in the line "My bitch don't love me no more, she kick me out I'm like vro." The focus is less on intricate wordplay and more on direct, impactful statements.

Rhythm and Meter: The song has a tempo of approximately 139 BPM (beats per minute). XXXTENTACION's lyrical rhythm is often syncopated and energetic, playing off the driving beat. His flow is versatile, shifting from a more laid-back, almost lazy delivery in the verses to a shouted, on-beat rhythm in the chorus that emphasizes the song's aggressive nature. This rhythmic contrast between the verses and chorus creates a sense of building tension and explosive release.

The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial. The heavily distorted 808 bass line provides a powerful, pulsating foundation, and X's vocals often weave in and out of this rhythmic core. The anaphoric repetition of "Look at me" in the chorus creates a rhythmic and lyrical hook that is both catchy and aggressive. The overall rhythmic feel is one of chaotic energy, mirroring the song's lyrical themes of rebellion and a desire for attention.

"Look At Me!" is a prime example of a raw and aggressive style that defined a new wave of hip-hop. Several stylistic techniques contribute to its powerful and confrontational impact:

• Vocal Delivery: XXXTENTACION's vocal performance is highly dynamic and aggressive. He shifts from a relatively calm, almost mumbled delivery in the verses to a full-throated, distorted scream in the chorus. This contrast enhances the song's volatile and unpredictable nature.
• Distortion and Lo-Fi Production: The most notable musical technique is the heavy use of distortion on the bass and the overall lo-fi production quality. This was a conscious choice by the producers and X to create an abrasive, raw, and aggressive sound that differentiated it from mainstream hip-hop.
• Sampling: The song is built around a prominent sample of the 2007 dubstep track "Changes" by Mala. The eerie and atmospheric sample provides a haunting backdrop to X's aggressive vocals.
• Repetition: The chorus, consisting of the repeated phrases "Look at me" and "fuck on me," is a powerful use of repetition. This creates a hypnotic and insistent hook that is both memorable and central to the song's theme of demanding attention.
• Narrative Voice: The song is delivered from a first-person perspective that is unapologetically confrontational and braggadocious. This raw, unfiltered narrative voice gives the listener a direct and unflinching look into the artist's persona.
• Shock Value: The lyrics employ shock value as a key literary device. Explicit descriptions of sex and violence are used to provoke and challenge the listener, ensuring the song is impossible to ignore.
• Free Verse: The song does not follow a strict, traditional rhyme scheme, instead opting for a more free-form, conversational flow that adds to its raw and spontaneous feel.

"Look At Me!" had a monumental cultural impact, catapulting XXXTENTACION from an underground SoundCloud artist to a mainstream figure and becoming an anthem for a new wave of hip-hop. Originally released in late 2015, the song's viral explosion in early 2017 was a defining moment for the SoundCloud rap genre, characterized by its lo-fi production, distorted bass, and emotionally raw, often aggressive, content. The track's success demonstrated the power of internet platforms to bypass traditional music industry gatekeepers.

The song peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA, a significant achievement for such an abrasive and unconventional track. Its raw energy and confrontational style influenced a slew of contemporary artists and solidified the "punk rap" or "trap metal" subgenres. The song was inescapable at parties and concerts in 2017, becoming a staple for its ability to incite mosh pits and energetic crowd reactions.

The song's music video, released in September 2017, generated further controversy and discussion. It featured provocative and politically charged imagery, including depictions of racial violence and the symbolic lynching of a white child, which XXXTENTACION intended as a statement on America's history of racism. This sparked widespread debate about the artist's methods and intentions.

"Look At Me!" and the persona XXXTENTACION cultivated with it are often seen as emblematic of a generation of disaffected youth who felt unheard. The song's legacy is intertwined with the late artist's controversial life and his profound impact on his fanbase. It also led to a documentary and a posthumous compilation album, both titled "Look at Me," further cementing the song's importance in his career.

While "Look At Me!" is largely direct and confrontational in its lyrical approach, it does employ some symbolism and metaphors to enhance its themes.

• The Distorted Bass and Lo-Fi Production: The most significant symbolic element is musical rather than lyrical. The extremely distorted bass and intentionally poor mixing symbolize a rejection of mainstream polish and perfection. It represents a raw, unfiltered, and chaotic state of mind, mirroring the turbulent emotions expressed in the lyrics. This sound became emblematic of the SoundCloud rap movement's DIY ethos.
• "I'm like... 'Bitch, who is your man's?'": This opening line, while seemingly a straightforward, aggressive question, also symbolizes a defiant assertion of dominance and a challenge to established norms and relationships. It immediately establishes a confrontational and anti-authoritarian stance.
• "Can't keep my dick in my pants": This is a blunt admission of promiscuity, but it also functions as a metaphor for a lack of self-control and an impulsive nature that extends beyond sexuality into all aspects of the narrator's life.
• "I'm Mormon": The line "got like three bitches, I'm Mormon" uses a religious reference metaphorically. It's not a literal claim of faith but a provocative and irreverent way to boast about having multiple partners, playing on stereotypes about Mormonism and polygamy to amplify the shock value.
• The Music Video's Imagery: The official music video adds layers of symbolism. It starts with chaotic classroom scenes, symbolizing a rebellion against authority and education systems. It then transitions to stark, disturbing imagery, including reenactments of lynchings and police brutality. The hanging of a white child, in particular, was a deliberately provocative symbol meant to invert historical racial violence and force a conversation about America's history of racism and desensitization to Black suffering. The two children, one black and one white, symbolize innocence caught in the crossfire of societal hatred.

The most prominent and significant recurring element in "Look At Me!" is the titular phrase itself, which acts as the song's central motif and chorus.

• "Look at me": This phrase is repeated insistently throughout the song, often in a shouted, aggressive tone. Its repetition drills the song's core message into the listener: a desperate and defiant demand for attention. It's a raw plea for acknowledgment from an individual who feels both boastful and alienated. This phrase became synonymous with XXXTENTACION's breakout moment and his confrontational artistic style.
• "Fuck on me": Paired with "Look at me," this explicit command further emphasizes the raw, physical, and confrontational nature of the attention being sought. It strips away any pretense of romance or emotional connection, reducing the interaction to a primal level. Its repetition amplifies the shock value and the song's aggressive, hyper-masculine posture.
• Braggadocio about violence and promiscuity: Throughout the verses, there are recurring motifs of violence ("I put a hole in your parents") and casual, often degrading, sexual encounters ("Can't keep my dick in my pants," the Starbucks anecdote). These recurring themes build a consistent persona of a reckless and dangerous individual who rejects societal norms.
• References to subcultures: The mention of an "emo bitch" and the general aggressive, rock-infused energy of the track point to a recurring motif of embracing outcast and alternative subcultures. This aligns XXXTENTACION with a generation of listeners who felt disconnected from the mainstream.