223's (feat. 9lokknine)

"223's" is a raw and unapologetic exploration of gang culture, violence, and street credibility. The title itself, "223's," refers to the .223 caliber ammunition used in semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15, immediately setting a tone of aggression and danger. The lyrics are delivered with a boastful and confrontational energy, where both YNW Melly and 9lokknine assert their dominance and authenticity in the streets. The song delves into themes of gang loyalty, particularly to the Bloods gang, as evidenced by references to the "Blood walk" and the "SuWoop" gang call. It's a portrayal of a world where violence is normalized and carrying firearms is a part of daily existence. The artists express a desensitization to murder, with lyrics like "Heard he caught a body, but that does not mean shit to me," suggesting that such acts are commonplace and unimpressive in their environment. The song serves as a statement of power, a warning to rivals, and a declaration of their readiness to engage in violence to protect their status and territory.

The song opens with an introductory ad-lib, acknowledging that a recording is in progress and immediately setting a raw, unfiltered tone. The lyrics quickly dive into themes of gang affiliation and violence. The narrator boasts about his connection to the Bloods gang, referencing the “Blood walk” and stating he lets his actions, or “the blood,” do the talking for him. He brandishes the threat of violence through specific firearms, mentioning “.223s and MACs” (referring to .223 caliber rifles and MAC-10 submachine guns), and claims he can intimidate rival gang members, the Crips, into performing their own signature dance. This assertion of dominance is a recurring theme, emphasizing power and control within the violent street culture he depicts. He speaks of having a “40 with a dicky” (a .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine) and a transparent clip, showcasing his readiness for conflict.

The chorus serves as a direct and menacing challenge to any opposition. The narrator questions what his adversaries want from him, immediately answering with the threat of his arsenal: “AR's and them .223's.” He warns that interfering with him is dangerous, describing himself as “hot, I'm five hundred degrees.” The lyrics dismiss the violent acts of others, suggesting a desensitization to murder and violence. He claims that hearing someone has “caught a body” (killed someone) means nothing to him, implying he is surrounded by such acts. He reinforces his gang loyalty with the call “SuWoop,” a known Bloods gang identifier, and repeats that he has “two on me,” a reference to carrying two firearms or possibly a metaphor for the two murder charges he faces in real life, adding a layer of dark reality to the boasts.

In the subsequent verses, the collaboration with 9lokknine intensifies the song’s aggressive stance. The narrative continues to glorify a life of crime and violence, with both artists speaking of killing without remorse and disparaging those they see as fake or “actin'.” They assert their authenticity and preparedness to confront any rivals. There's a sense of being above their competition, both metaphorically and literally, as they rap about being “two floors up on you niggas.” 9lokknine’s verse is particularly confrontational, using the onomatopoeia “Blatt” to mimic gunfire. He boasts about owning multiple firearms and threatens to disfigure an opponent’s face with a MAC-10. His lyrics also touch upon the dual life he leads, balancing a presence in the music industry with his roots in the streets (“One foot in the industry and one foot in the trap”). This duality highlights the tension between his public persona as an artist and the dangerous reality he portrays in his music, where loyalty is to his “bloodline” and his strap (gun).

"223's" was originally a song by 9lokknine, released on his December 2018 mixtape, Lil Glokk That Stole Khristmas. The track was later "rebranded" as a YNW Melly song featuring 9lokknine and was officially released as the lead single from Melly's debut studio album, Melly vs. Melvin, on August 9, 2019. This re-release happened while YNW Melly was incarcerated, having been arrested in February 2019 on double murder charges. The song was produced by Rocco Did It Again!, who is also 9lokknine's manager. Rocco created the beat, which has a tempo of 95 BPM, specifically with 9lokknine's style in mind. The collaboration came about when 9lokknine and YNW Melly met at the Hit Factory studio in Miami. Melly heard the beat, liked it, and recorded his verse on the spot, freestyling his lines off the dome. The song gained significant traction and went viral on the social media platform TikTok, which played a major role in its mainstream success and subsequent charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

The rhyme scheme in "223's" is relatively straightforward, primarily relying on couplets and short rhyme chains within the verses to maintain a driving momentum. For instance, in YNW Melly's verse, lines often end with similar-sounding words like "shit," "bitch," and "niggas." The rhythm is dictated by the trap beat, which is set at a tempo of 95 BPM in the key of C Minor with a 4/4 time signature. The rappers' flows are syncopated against this beat, creating a dynamic interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental. YNW Melly's melodic flow often stretches and bends words to fit the rhythm, while 9lokknine's delivery is more staccato and aggressive, hitting the beat with more force. This rhythmic contrast contributes to the song's energetic and slightly chaotic feel, mirroring the lyrical themes of unpredictability and violence.

"223's" employs several stylistic techniques to create its aggressive and energetic tone.

• Ad-libs and Onomatopoeia: The track is punctuated with ad-libs ("Slatt," "Graow") and onomatopoeia ("Blatt") that mimic the sounds of gunfire, enhancing the song's violent imagery and rhythmic texture.
• Call and Response: There's an element of call and response in the chorus, where the question "What all do you want from me?" is immediately answered with "AR's and them .223's," creating a powerful and memorable hook.
• Braggadocio: The lyrical content is heavily centered on braggadocio, with both artists boasting about their toughness, wealth, and propensity for violence. This is a common trope in gangsta rap, used to build a larger-than-life persona.
• Vocal Delivery: YNW Melly's signature melodic, auto-tuned vocal delivery contrasts with 9lokknine's more aggressive, raw flow. This contrast adds a dynamic layer to the track, blending melody with grit. The beat, produced by Rocco Did It Again!, is characterized by a 95 BPM tempo, layered hi-hats, claps, and a kick drum that gives it a reggae-infused vibe, providing a distinctive backdrop for the rappers' flows.

"223's" had a significant cultural impact, largely fueled by its viral spread on the social media platform TikTok. The song became the soundtrack to a popular dance challenge, which greatly contributed to its mainstream success. It peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also charted in other countries, including Canada and New Zealand, marking a major commercial success for both YNW Melly and 9lokknine. The song has been certified double platinum by the RIAA. An official music video was released on November 2, 2019, which features a surreal and darkly comedic narrative of 9lokknine visiting a dysfunctional suburban family, with YNW Melly, who was incarcerated at the time, participating via phone calls. The video also features a cameo from YNW Melly's younger brother, YNW BSlime. The song's popularity further solidified YNW Melly's status as a prominent figure in the rap scene, even while facing serious legal issues. The track is a standout on his debut album, Melly vs. Melvin, and remains one of his most-streamed songs.

The primary symbolism in "223's" revolves around weaponry and gang-related imagery, which serve as metaphors for power, danger, and identity.

• .223's and AR's: The repeated mention of ".223's" and "AR's" is not just a literal reference to firearms but symbolizes a readiness for violent conflict and a projection of dominance. In the context of the song, these weapons are extensions of the artists' personas, representing their perceived power and the lethal consequences of challenging them.
• Blood Walk: The "Blood walk" is a dance associated with the Bloods gang. By referencing it, YNW Melly is not just talking about a dance; he's symbolically aligning himself with the gang's identity and code. It's a visual metaphor for his allegiance and street credentials.
• "I'm hot, I'm five hundred degrees": This is a metaphor for being in a dangerous and volatile state. It conveys a warning that the speaker is untouchable and that getting too close will result in getting "burned" or hurt.
• "Two floors up on you niggas": This phrase is used metaphorically to represent superiority. It suggests that the artists are on a higher level than their rivals, whether in terms of status, skill, or power in the street hierarchy.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song and reinforce its central themes.

• "What all do you want from me? AR's and them .223's": This is the central hook of the song and its most powerful recurring motif. It encapsulates the song's entire message of violent defensiveness and aggression. Its repetition makes it highly memorable and functions as the song's thesis statement.
• "Heard he caught a body": This phrase, repeated in the chorus, highlights the desensitization to violence that permeates the song's narrative. By downplaying the significance of murder, it emphasizes the harsh reality of the environment being depicted.
• "Blood Gang, yeah, SuWoop on me": This recurring declaration of gang affiliation is crucial to the song's identity. It's a constant reminder of the loyalties and rivalries that define the artists' world.
• Gun References: The constant mention of specific firearms like ".223's," "AR's," and "MAC's" serves as a persistent motif of violence and power.