Lyrically Related With Chevi Red
Reviewing Big Tymers: "Still Fly" (Hood Rich)
The above link is episode two of "Lyrically Related with DJ Chevi Red.
This feature is a special submission by Gezus Zaire to Winners Only and Vocal Media.
This week, DJ Chevi Red started her podcast entitled "Lyrically Related with DJ Chevi Red." While introducing the show, DJ Chevi Red says it is "The podcast that takes your favorite song's lyrics and makes them the discussion topic."
Her second episode, which was released Wednesday, Feb. 17, dissected the lyrics of the 2002 hit "Still Fly" (Hood Rich) by The Big Tymers. "We're going to break [the lyrics] down and give our own interpretation of what they mean and y'all know that can get real interesting, real fast. We're then going to take those lyrics and apply them to our everyday situation and see if we can truly relate to them."
Back in 2002 when "Still Fly" hit the airwaves, I was a very recent college graduate at 22 years old. The Big Tymers' previous singles from 2000, "Number One Stunna" and "Get Your Roll On" were a part of my collegiate soundtrack as Cash Money Records dominated hip-hop. When "Still Fly" dropped, it seemed very comical to me because it was relatable and a bit silly. It made a lot of sense that the song was the highest charted single for the duo which included Brian "Baby" Williams and Manny Fresh. So many of us either know or are a person who buys flashy things just to keep up with the cool kids" while our necessities go neglected.
On this episode, DJ Chevi Red shares her opinions on the song lyrics and how they apply to her as well as the rest of us.
"Just like everybody else in '02, little 13-year-old me was in the house party screaming, 'Ain't got no job, but I'm still fly.' Don't know nothing about a job, rent or nothing," DJ Chevi Red said. "But now fast forward to 31-year-old me and I'm like, 'Bruh, your priorities was messed up. You're like one of these people walking around with $300 [Jordan's] on their feet, catching the [bus]."
Above: The "Hood Rich" music video
The DJ breaks down, the "Hood Rich" mentality and translates it to today's thirsts for acceptance on social media.
"It translates to me as, 'I'm alright with not having my own house. I'm alright with sleeping on my momma's couch but as long as when I walk out my front door, I look good, I look fresh to death and everybody on my block, thinks I look good or thinks I have it all, then I'm cool. I'm content with that' ... Now in comparison to today I think people have that IG [Instagram] rich, that Facebook rich mentality, where it's like we have to present this version of ourselves in order to gain popularity, to be accepted."
Even though DJ Chevi Red believes one should take care of the necessities in life, she does show empathy when she says, that she gets how people sometimes can value appearance over their own reality.
"On the flipside, I understand," she said. "I understand because, I'm one of those people, [that believe], if I'm broke, I'm not going to look broke. I'm going to walk into Citi Trends and get the flyest five dollar outfit and y'all will never know. I guess on that aspect I do relate because a lot of times you don't want to look how you feel. Your appearance, how you look, getting your hair and your nails done really help with your self-esteem even when are going through tough times, you're broke and don't have no money. But if you look good, you feel good, so I understand."
"Lyrically Related with DJ Chevi Red," is a podcast that is a fast, fun but mentally stimulating listen. It has a runtime of under 15 minutes. The beauty of the show is that it can take you back in time, to the place that you were when you heard a song and show you how much your thinking, ideas and life has or hasn't changed through a musical journey. Check it out on Spotify as well as other streaming platforms. New episodes are scheduled to be released on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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