First off, I think we need a good running definition of what a ratchet anthem is. Issa Rae does best at trying to provide a definition, and also shit is just mad hilarious. (Be sure to check out all 5 episodes)
With that said, I still think there are several different definitions of ratchet anthems (or at least two). The first and most simple definition would be a ratchet person's anthem. We should already know what a ratchet person is, so their anthem would reflect their lifestyle. They are known for their really ratchet and explicit lyrics, mostly about money, molly's and strippers. Oh, and bands, cuz they a make her dance. Examples of this type of ratchet anthem would come from some of my least favorite artist : 2 Chainz, Juicy J, and the like...
The second definition would be an anthem that causes not normally ratchet people to behave like the ratchets. You know, that song makes you pop your p***y like a stripper and wanna fight a bitch, and then you catch yourself like "what the fuck was I doing?" These songs have the same overly explicit lyrics, but have more....substance? I don't know. Examples include songs from Crime Mob, Big Sean, and the lesser known, Ms. B.
The third definition isn't that well know; I think I made it up. This section is dedicated to the light weight ratchets from New Orleans who just want love. Do you see where I'm going with this? While I know a few folk who may be slightly offended because they think they belong to this group when they really don't, a few will actually get this. I mean, I shake my ass and get excited when songs for the "genre" of ratchet comes on, but I know it doesn't apply to me. Let me try to explain this better. So you're in a club with mildly ratchet fees (the ones who look respectable til the dj plays dat b.e.a.t. and they lose it, bend over and you realize they ain't wearing drawls), and the dj plays dat b.e.a.t. But not just any song to dat b.e.a.t., a love song. They body start looking all confused. They ass wants to pounch, but they head and hands wanna sing the song and act it out. And then the start singing to the most ratchet, broke down lookin ni--.... I'll stop there. Here are the examples: Refill (but only the version with zydeco roots), Officially Missing You, and Dance for You.
But wait, there is one more definition, the misfit definition. This misfits definition of a ratchet anthem.... has more than one definition. Sigh. This is complicated. I think it may just be that I want this song on the list. But, no, I think that other people will agree with me on this. Songs that are ratchet with a "message" catch our attention. This would include songs that would normally be labeled ratchet only to find out the artist had a different vision of it. Case in point: Spectacular. It's a ratchet anthem to a filthy one night stand. BUT to Kiely it's a way to bring awareness to the fact that women get drunk and go home with strange men and fuck them, or something like that. Here's her explanation:
They took off the video she made explaining it, well trying too. It was hilarious. Anyway, she calls herself trying to bring awareness to an issue. Yes, we all have known somebody who has randomly hooked up with someone, or have done it ourselves. But, the sparkly booty shorts and gyrating on a brick wall and railroad tracks? Or the fact that she woke up next to a bubble bootied dude who looked like predator? Or that she apparently let him pull a track out her short ass bob as she was getting her back blown out? Or that somebody would really walk down the street with a handcuff attached to one wrist hitting on anything that past? And the same men who were dancing in the club with her the night before would be on the street, in the same clothes, judging her? Y'all get the point.
A misfit like me finds a song like this and has a intense debate on whether the song has any message or validity and move the fuck on. Hell, I still wanna recreate this video.
Sigh. The other part of my definition is simple. It's a song that resonates with that ratchet hood heaux that I am not and my college educated mind at the SAME DAMN TIME. The song doesn't necessarily make me wanna twerk, but it does make me wanna do that Tipping Point dance. Trouble knows what I mean. The song is ratchet in the way it makes me act but not necessarily in what it is. Makes no sense? Maybe some examples will help: Mercy, and, my current favorite, Backstreet Freestyle.
That's all I got.
Misfit. Out.
That's was too funny Issa Rae
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