Weekly, Consequence highlights the latest and greatest new tracks with our Song of the week column. Find these new favorites and more in our Spotify best songs playlist and to see other great songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify new sounds play list. This week, Tierra Whack misbehaves on “MS BEHAVE.”
For the first time in six years, Tierra Whack has a new full-length project. WORLD COUPthe follow-up to the acclaimed 2018 hit world, picks up where the eclectic artist left off, offering another helping of artistic and fun goodness. This time, however, there is darkness at the center of Whack's world. Over the course of the 37-minute runtime, he explores the deepest corners of his emotions, from his struggle with depression to, as showcased in the hit “MS BEHAVE,” his bragging and almost manic confidence. .
On “MS BEHAVE,” Whack doesn’t hold back, dropping bars over a heavy beat with enough odor to make your face instinctively cringe. She records songs on the first take, wears thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, and travels to places you've never been. Not only is she misbehaving, but she couldn't behave if she tried. At first glance, it is the most exaggerated song: “Is your career going well? It's because I quit/I'm the greatest rapper of all time, yeah, yeah, I said it.”
And yet, within the broader context of WORLD COUP, There seems to be much more nuanced emotions on the track than just “I'm the shit.” With later tracks that delve into feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and even periods of suicidal ideation, the lines of “MS BEHAVE” that originally seemed ruthless begin to read more like a defense mechanism.
“Look who you call your enemies/Look who you call your friends,” Whack repeats. Although, at first, the feeling seems ruthless and fearless, as WORLD COUP It continues, the line accumulates more and more weight. “IMAGINARY FRIENDS” addresses the idea more directly, while the closing duet “TWO NIGHTS” and “27 CLUB” bring it back into focus as the album comes to a close. Pressing snooze, the narrator of “MS BEHAVE” suddenly doesn’t seem so bulletproof.
“MS BEHAVE” is a terrifying song that talks about a great game while hiding real feelings of pain and loneliness. It certainly still works as a pre-game hit: the song simply says Too hard No, but Whack gives it additional depth, further developing its own little Whack-y world.
— Jonah Krueger
Editorial Coordinator
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