Intro-
I remember first hearing Future on the radio in middle school. Back then, he ruled the radio, with hits such as Lowlife, Jumpman, Mask off, and Diamonds Dancing. These are just a small portion of his hit songs, however I remember these being really popular. His unique spin on rap, with his drugged out beats and melodic but hard voice made Future a really versatile artist, and one that I came to really like. Once I got into high school, I discovered Future’s older work, such as his mixtape Monster, and became hooked. I went through a lot my first couple years of high school, and Future’s music seemed to really speak to me. Obviously I couldn't relate to all the things he went through, but his dark and realistic lyrics about addiction and dealing with heavy emotions really spoke to me. Codeine Crazy is peak sad Future, someone unable to deal with his emotions so he drowns himself on Drugs and a lavish lifestyle. This song will always mean a lot to me.
Artist Background-
Born Nayvadius Demun Wilburn in 1983, Future grew up in Atlanta’s rough Zone 6 neighborhood. Future was born into a family with drug dealing ties, and attended Atlanta’s Columbia High School. This is where Future got his name, dubbed “the future” of Atlanta music, and where he would start to hone his skill that would make Future a household name worldwide. In 2010, Future would release one of his first tapes, “Dirty Sprite”, that would gain him enough attention to make it into mainstream music. From there, his legacy only grows, With a series of Mixtapes and Albums, (Monster, Purple Reign, 56 Nights, and DS2) and top charting hits (Lowlife, Mask off, and Jumpman being some notable ones. Future has cemented himself into Raps legacy, and is considered one of the founding fathers of modern rap music.
Song Introduction-
Deemed one of Future’s most meaningful Songs, Codeine Crazy came out in 2014, as part of his Monster Mixtape. Future’s mixtape was executive produced by the famed Metro Boomin, and his hit “Codeine Crazy” was produced by TM88, a member of the group 808 Mafia (another notable member of the collective is Southside). This song was written by Future, and Bryan Lamar Simmons contributed to the writing of the track as well. Codeine Crazy finishes off the mixtape at track number sixteen, capping off Future's most heartfelt piece of work to date.
Codeine crazy Yeah (808 Mafia) Pourin' bubbly, pourin' bubbly Pour that bubbly, pour that bubbly Pour that bubbly We done went through too much, you hear me? (808 Mafia) Pour that bubbly, drink that muddy, drink that muddy When we're cuddling, yeah I'm covered in it I was dug in it, I was just loving it That's for them other niggas, that's for the other bitches That ain't for you dawg, that's for them other niggas That ain't for you shorty, that's for that other bitch I'm going crazy 'bout it, I'm going codeine crazy That's how I'm living it, I'm feeling lovely I'm drinking bubbly, I'm drinking bubbly
Take all my problems and drink out the bottle And fuck on a model, yeah Audemar, this not a carnival This is a Royal Oak Cartier Dom Perignon, I get down from the brown I get chauffeured around I pour up with my rounds, I pour up out of town I'm corrupting your town with them guns and them pounds I grew up on them grounds with the dealers and hounds We order more bottles And fuck on more models and pass 'em around I say everything triple time Rollie, AP, Hublot, triple time I just know the ones you call upon I just had to pay my dawg a bond Looking at me like a triple threat Every time a nigga talk a check Smoke the kush up like a cigarette Run it back, you hear my intellect (808 Mafia) Celebrate like the championship Celebrate like the championship Celebrate like the championship Celebrate like the championship I told you, I told you, I told you, I told you Hahah, celibate Don't tell me you celibate to the mula I just went Rick the Ruler with the jeweler I just went to St. Tropezin' like a goonie Abu Dhabi, niggas straight out the sewer Like a loaded chopper, I'm 'bout to shoot it I'm so fucking sick and tired of these rumors I just dived inside a cutie, we spoonin' Take it back and take a look at yourself Take the lesson, put it all in the air Too many days gone by Sittin' by the phone, waitin' 'til I reply Drying my eyes, believe it or not I could never see a tear fallin' Water drippin' on me like a faucet I just took a bitch to eat at Chipotle Spent another sixty thousand on a Rollie All my diamonds got you brainwashed She sucked my dick and got my brain washed And for the shit that got your man popped See what they did to Biggie and Pac Pour a lil', lil' liquor out, pour a lil' malt liquor out Pour it out, pour it out, pour it out Codeine crazy, codeine crazy Codeine crazy, codeine crazy Codeine crazy, codeine crazy All this motherfucking money got me codeine crazy Drownin' in Actavis, suicide When I hit the scene, it's homicide Diamond pinky ring a lollipop Fuck the hate, I pull up in a drop Diamonds colder than a glacier Ballin' harder than the Pacers I been tryin' to have some patience Told my momma she should pray on it Told the streets they gotta wait on it She gonna put a nigga name on it I just dropped a whole thang on it I'm making USD's overseas That's U.S. dollars that you can't achieve Fucked my white girl, she said, "Nigga please" Fuck that white girl, she said, "Nigga please" Playin' poker now we're back at Strokers I forgot her name but her pussy soakin' When I seen her on the pole Reminded myself when I used to come over Reminded myself when I used to get loaded Remindin' myself that I'm still gettin' loaded The coupe fully loaded, this whip fully loaded This whip fully loaded, the clip fully loaded I try to control it Let's wrap up some bottles, let's pop off some bottles These niggas too bogus Let's pour up a pint, I'ma fuck around, faint Like I'm Kid Cudi probably I fuck around and faint, I'ma fall on a drink Rockin' Tom Ford, poppin' molly Married to this motherfuckin' money Codeine crazy, codeine crazy Codeine crazy, codeine crazy Codeine crazy, codeine crazy All this motherfucking money got me codeine crazy You thought I forgot about us? I know that you know I don't fold under pressure I'm back on the road, I get low on the pedal We live by the codes of the ghetto I'm closing this out with my memo I'm treating this shit like a demo I'm putting my heart and my soul in this shit and some mo' I'm in that Dolce Gabbana I might get after Madonna, I get the crack in the summer Strapped in the 'llac and the Hummer Fronted a pack to my partna All this lingo got her panties to dropping Fuck the fame, I'm sipping lean when I'm driving All this cash and it ain't nowhere to hide it I'm an addict and I can't even hide it Don't you panic, panoramic companion They was tryna serve me at the arraignment Never comment on it, never complaining I'm taking everything that come with these millions I'm taking everything that come with my children Yeah, yeah Pour that bubbly, drink that muddy, drink that muddy When we're cuddling, yeah, I'm covered in I was dug in it, I was just loving it That's for them other niggas, that's for the other bitches That ain't for you dawg, that's for them other niggas That ain't for you shorty, that's for that other bitch I'm going crazy 'bout it, I'm going codeine crazy That's how I'm living it, I'm feeling lovely I'm drinking bubbly Codeine crazy, codeine crazy All this motherfucking money got me codeine crazy
Song Analysis-
Monster comes at a pivotal point in Futures career. He had just come out of a very public relationship with Singer Ciara due to “rumors that Future had been cheating with his wardrobe consultant, Tyrina Lee.” (Wallace) Paired with this, his previous album had been ridiculed by critics as a “pop turn on his sophomore studio album, Honest.” (Peters) This whole mixtape is about Future hiding from his broken love life and failing career, with drugs, women, and the rich and lavish lifestyle that comes with being a famous rapper. Codeine Crazy is the cherry on top of this Mixtape, and wraps up a lot of Future's true feelings at the time, in one song. The song very obviously points to Futures obsession with Lean, or Codeine, and his ongoing substance abuse problems. In his first verse, his opening line is “Take all my problems and drink out the bottle and fuck on a model, yeah”.
This of course referencing his habit of trying to drown all his surrounding issues with his vices. He goes on to say “Im so fucking sick and tired of these rumors”, which was probably directed at his very public breakup. He then gets more open with his heartbreak, which is rare with Future, and says “Too many days gone by Sittin' by the phone, waiting' 'till I reply Drying my eyes, believe it or not I could never see a tear falling.” This paints a pretty vivid picture for the listener, and one really gets to see Futures usually unattached masks fall away. He becomes more relatable, and it's easy to feel his sadness with this line. Future issues cries for help on his addictive nature on the track as well, with a couple of lines. One of them, “Drowning in Actavis, suicide” is telling us about his issues with Codeine Promethazine syrup, famously produced by pharmaceutical company Actavis.
He then goes on later in the song to say he is “An Addict and cant even hide it” which is a very real and straightforward message he's sending about using opiates recreationally. Layering all these dark lines into a drugged out and slow beat, Future really drags the listener into his personal life. Future really does a great job of weaving his issues with substance abuse with his newly broken heart, and proves he can write songs that have deeper meaning in Codeine Crazy. With that said, Monster as a mixtape is a masterpiece by itself, with Codeine Crazy being the best, and most real song on the tape.
Conclusion-
Monster and Codeine Crazy would just be the beginning for Future. He would end up collaborating with Metro Boomin again, with his two follow up mixtapes Purple Reign and 56 Nights, as well as dropping Dirty Sprite 2 (DS2), usually considered his best album. What follows is an historic number of billboard charting songs, and a streak of number one albums.
Future has flooded the radio with his music, and remains one of the biggest and most influential artists today. This song will always be one of my personal favorite songs, and parts of it still remain very relatable for me today. I’ll always appreciate Futures blunt honesty with addiction on Codeine Crazy, and is a song I continue to listen to today.
Sources-
Peters, Micah. “Future's 'Monster' Redefined His Career-and Defined an Era of Rap Music.” The Ringer, The Ringer, 30 Oct. 2019, www.theringer.com/music/2019/10/30/20940341/future-monster-codeine-crazy-throw-away-fifth-anniversary-spotify-apple-streaming.
Wallace, Riley. “Here's a Complete Timeline of Future and Ciara's Relationship - XXL.” XXL Mag, XXL, 26 Jan. 2017, www.xxlmag.com/future-ciara-relationship-timeline/.
“Who Is Future (Rapper)? Everything You Need to Know.” Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/future-rapper-15949.php.
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