Ziplock by Saba Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling Vulnerability and Persistence in Hip-Hop’s Fabric
Lyrics
I was in West Oakland California
When I found out about a piece of me
All this solitude around
I’m starting to see when I’m alone, the shit I think
I come from the part of town not talked about
But chalk ya outline if you blink
I can’t go outside today, that shine’ll fade
And that go along with my piece
All these energies and entities
And people that just want shit from me
I can’t make this up
The luxuries of being broke as fuck been escaping
Not to sound ungrateful ’bout the blessings
But my best days are all in my past
I been working like a slave, I’m proud to say
Now lil’ bitch, I’m in my bag
And it ain’t a ziplock
Went and got a wristwatch
Cop’ll never respond
Anytime I risked my life
Clocking out, the tick-tock
Watch it all on TikTok
I’m willing to bet it all
I’m willing to risk my life
And it ain’t a ziplock
Went and got a wristwatch
Cop’ll never respond
Anytime I risked my life
Clocking out, the tick-tock
Watch it all on TikTok
I’m willing to bet it all
I’m willing to risk my life
Uh, yeah, yeah
I was in Bronx, New York when I decided
This the type of life that I’d live
I made sacrifices, what the fuck you writing for?
You know you do not give
I got right back on my feet
I fell-face first the first time, I’ll admit I did
Took a couple years for me to feel like
I did not fall upon all deaf ears
Niggas wanna wait but I call that fear
At least I got a place for if all else fails
Nigga, I went on a date, told her, “call that Lyft”
I told her, “lose my line and don’t call back here”
Yeah, I’m ’bout to lose my mind I got all that care
They listen to me rhyme and can’t hold back tears
Gamble on a life but it won’t be fair
Trade it all for some sand and a beach chair
And it ain’t a ziplock
Went and got a wristwatch
Cop’ll never respond
Anytime I risked my life
Clocking out, the tick-tock
Watch it all on TikTok
I’m willing to bet it all
I’m willing to risk my life
And it ain’t a ziplock
Went and got a wristwatch
Cop’ll never respond
Anytime I risked my life
Clocking out, the tick-tock
Watch it all on TikTok
I’m willing to bet it all
I’m willing to risk my life
Saba, a beacon of lyrical introspection in the hip-hop community, returns with ‘Ziplock,’ a track that serves as a vessel for his candid contemplation on the pitfalls and peaks of his journey. The song is less a casual listen and more a profound diary entry that has been musically orchestrated, inviting listeners to decipher its layered emotions and thematic resonance.
Underneath its melodious veneer, ‘Ziplock’ is a narrative-rich canvas painted with Saba’s personal struggles, his mental resilience, and the daunting realities of his upbringing. The title itself is emblematic of keeping contents sealed, safe, and preserved, which juxtaposes with the raw openness he exercises throughout the song. Herein, we break down the essence of ‘Ziplock’ and explore the territories Saba navigates within this potent lyrical odyssey.
The Prodigal Son Returns: Saba’s Self-Reflection in ‘Ziplock’
Each verse of ‘Ziplock’ is tantamount to Saba taking a deep dive into the oceans of self-reflection – an odyssey of sorts. Manifesting from the solitudes of West Oakland, California, to the bustling streets of the Bronx, the track is a geographical and spiritual journey. Saba illustrates his upbringing in a ‘part of town not talked about’ where danger lurks at every turn – ‘chalk ya outline if you blink’.
This type of volatile environment is where the ziplock metaphor begins to unfurl. Saba’s experiences, memories, and his peace of mind are what he strives to keep intact, encapsulated within the metaphorical ‘ziplock’ of his psyche; they are precious and, yet, so easily at risk of being exposed or lost amidst the chaos that surrounds him.
‘Clocking Out’: The Harsh Realities of Time in Saba’s Narrative
Expertly weaving timepiece imagery with societal critiques, ‘Ziplock’ showcases Saba’s confrontation with temporal constraints. ‘Went and got a wristwatch’ can be interpreted as a mark of success, a rite of passage in hip-hop culture. But in Saba’s world, it holds a more profound meaning: a constant reminder of the ticking of time in a life where he feels ‘clocking out’ is a pressing reality.
The reference to social media, ‘Watch it all on TikTok,’ symbolizes the passive consumption of entertainment derived from others’ hardships. It’s a critique of the voyeuristic tendencies of modern culture, where the severity of risking one’s life becomes transient content consumed in between swipes on a screen.
The Spectre of Injustice: ‘Cop’ll never respond’
Amidst the personal chronicle, Saba doesn’t shy away from touching on systemic issues within his narrative. A poignant and chilling reminder of the police’s lack of response to the trials faced by individuals in marginalized communities, he raises a powerful indictment against flawed institutions.
This particular line reverberates with the experiences of many who look like Saba, who inhabit similar spaces, and who bear the brunt of being ignored in their moments of dire need. It’s a line that binds personal perseverance to collective memory and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.
Unpacking ‘Ziplock’: The Hidden Meanings Behind the Metaphors
Saba’s ‘Ziplock’ brims with metaphors evidencing the rapper’s battle with both external circumstances and internal demons. The ‘ziplock’ can be understood as a defense mechanism to keep vulnerability at bay, lock away fears, and preserve a semblance of control in a life fraught with uncertainties.
‘Risked my life’ is a refrain that Saba uses not just in physical terms but also in emotional and artistic terms. Each time he opens up about his life’s struggles through his music, he risks not just misunderstanding or judgment but his very well-being, setting up a stark contrast against the lock-and-key security suggested by a ‘ziplock’.
The Tears We Shed: Finding Emotional Resonance in Saba’s Bars
Cast against the hard-edged backdrop of his upbringing, Saba’s lyrics are startling in their emotional resonance. ‘They listen to me rhyme and can’t hold back tears’—it’s a testament to the power of his words, a powerful connection forged between the artist and his audience.
The tears represent both the emotional release that comes with hearing Saba’s experiences and the shared catharsis within the relatability of his plight. In understanding his journey, listeners are confronted with their vulnerabilities, making ‘Ziplock’ not merely a song but a mirror to the soul.
