FM Spotlight
#FMSpotlight: Pootie – ‘DUMPLINGS’ (Listen)
Pootie‘s newest EP, DUMPLINGS, brings hip-hop enthusiasts back to a time when the genre truly thrived. Moreso, when hip-hop had true substance. Nowadays, there’s a glorification of drugs, violence, & sex in 99.9% of music. Luckily, Pootie reminds us how a positive message can go a long way for the current & future generations. The lyricist refuses to conform to the norm.
In DUMPLINGS, the New Jersey-based rapper speaks on growing pains that have molded him into the aspiring figure he is today. His stylistic approach to the pen & pad is reminiscent of Griselda. Throughout the 7-track EP, he adheres to honesty being the best policy. Without delay, the emcee speaks about his upbringing, difficult life situations, & putting in work to be the hottest artist in history. There are times when he addresses the opps as well.
Additionally, the proficient wordsmith makes sure to drop gems about street culture & the ways of our society. For instance, in “In Love With The Money,” he says, “Think for yourself on an everyday basis.”
He tops the project off with punchlines guaranteed to go over listeners’ heads & a gritty flow. The beats, produced by HUDSON TRASH, merge soul, jazz, boom-bap & lo-fi in a delectable fashion. In addition, the artwork, merch, & bundles created by Pootie mirror decor that’s found in a Chinese restaurant.
Two standout tracks on DUMPLINGS are “Friends & Family” & “All I Care About.”
“Friends & Family” finds Pootie calling out a fake loved one. The instrumental seemingly contrasts the P.S.A, pairing boom bap & jazz elements.
From the beginning, he speaks about a betrayal that cut him deeply.
“Only thing that ever hurt me/Letting them close to desert me,” Pootie spits. “N*ggas isn’t worthy/Love is otherworldly.”
Given this excerpt, we learn that he’s been in a situation where someone has turned their back on him. Still, the rapper remains unfazed. As the song continues, Pootie speaks about when he noticed that certain people he admired didn’t reciprocate the love.
“Ones who surrounding you the same ones who doubted you.“
He concludes that the hate stems from jealousy. The rapper demands that they take accountability for their actions, saying that disrespect isn’t tolerated.
Given all these sour situations, he chooses to stay to himself. The Over Easy artist knows he’ll always have a friend in himself no matter what. Since focusing on himself, he’s more at peace & topping the charts.
The record shows what “friends turning into strangers” looks like.
Lines like these drive the narrative home:
“Life goes in cycles/I used to love you now I don’t even like you.”
“You put me onto things that once opened my mind/The love I had for you is what was keeping me blind.”
“As a child to me, you was the illest n*gga/Now my thoughts of you, well, they’re really different/Like you said our flames do/You withered.”
“All I Care About” depicts that everything isn’t what it seems. Although we’re introduced to the finer things in life through his vivid wordplay, Pootie reminds us that every action comes with a reaction. Getting rich quick comes with the price of doing heinous acts.
He raps, “Cost to play with cold-hearted n*ggas on them hottest days.”
As the song continues, Pootie promises to help the future generation succeed. He explains how he intends on making a positive impact,
“Put them onto things like philosophy & economics/Budgeting the knowledge of self ’cause they the future.”
If they follow his advice, the world is prone to be a better place.
He continues, “Hopin’ they get shit better than us or its all for nothing/I remember being that young I had short some others.”
In the second verse, he speaks on leveling up. The negativity exuded from society is blocked by Pootie’s determination to succeed.
“Life been getting iller/My formulas got better/My soul isn’t too withered/These views bring new pictures.”
Listen to DUMPLINGS by POOTIE below:
