Numbness and Elevation: Unpacking Yeat’s “If We Being Rëal”
Yeat’s “If We Being Rëal” offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into a mindset characterized by profound emotional detachment, aggressive exclusion, and relentless upward mobility, all delivered through his signature futuristic, often hazy soundscape. The song operates as a stream-of-consciousness monologue, navigating themes of substance use, paranoia, the ruthless severing of relationships, and the isolating effects of immense success and wealth. It presents a persona grappling with numbness (“don’t never feel nothin'”) while simultaneously boasting about reaching new heights in every aspect of life.
The track juxtaposes claims of emotional emptiness with intense actions and pronouncements—cutting people off, wishing for their downfall, and maintaining hyper-vigilance. This creates a complex portrait of a modern rap figure who feels alienated (“livin’ out in space”) yet aggressively guards their inner circle and status. It’s a world where authenticity is questioned (“Why you so real?”), vulnerability is scarce, and progress is measured by constantly reaching “another level,” even if it means leaving others behind or digging their metaphorical graves.
Ultimately, “If We Being Rëal” explores the paradoxes of a certain kind of contemporary success: the potential for profound internal numbness amidst external extravagance, the isolation that accompanies elevation, and the constant, perhaps exhausting, need to maintain dominance and distance in a perceived hostile environment. The titular phrase suggests a rare, perhaps reluctant, moment of honesty within this heavily guarded perspective.
Title as Qualifier: The Meaning of “If We Being Rëal”
The title, “If We Being Rëal,” acts as a crucial qualifier and sets the tone for the entire track. This conditional phrase, common in colloquial speech, introduces a statement purported to be honest, raw, and unfiltered, often cutting through pretense or social niceties. Its use here suggests that the subsequent lyrics, particularly the admission of emotional numbness, represent a moment of genuine self-disclosure, a departure from a potentially curated image.
Furthermore, the title can be interpreted as a challenge directed outwards. By framing his perspective with “If we being real,” Yeat implicitly questions the authenticity of others (“You act like you do it for real, but, no, you is not one of us”). It sets up a dichotomy between his supposedly genuine, albeit detached, reality and the perceived fakeness of those outside his circle. It implies that his brand of numbness, ruthlessness, and constant elevation is the ‘real’ state of being within his world, and anything else is performance. The title, therefore, functions both as a preface to candid vulnerability and a dismissal of others’ perceived inauthenticity.
“If We Being Rëal” Lyrics Breakdown
Given the song’s structure as one continuous verse, this breakdown analyzes distinct thematic segments within it, exploring the progression of ideas about numbness, exclusion, paranoia, success, and internal conflict, all without directly quoting the lyrics and ensuring detailed explanation across multiple paragraphs per section.
Segment 1: Numbness, Pills, and Impulsivity
The song opens with an admission related to substance use—specifically, referencing stopping or reducing pill intake. This immediately grounds the track in a reality often associated with modern rap lifestyles. However, this acknowledgment of change is instantly undercut by the core confession, introduced by the titular phrase: a profound sense of emotional numbness, a consistent inability to feel anything significant. This juxtaposition suggests that attempts to change external factors (like drug use) haven’t necessarily altered the internal state of detachment.
This emotional void is paired with a description of impulsive behavior, acting preemptively or recklessly (“jumpin’ the gun”) seemingly without cause or for mere amusement (“like I do it for fun”). This combination paints a picture of someone operating without the usual emotional checks and balances, potentially leading to erratic actions fueled by something other than genuine feeling – perhaps boredom, habit, or a need for stimulation in the face of pervasive numbness. It establishes the baseline of a detached yet potentially volatile persona.
Segment 2: Exclusion and Rejecting Outsiders
Following the personal admission of numbness, the focus shifts outward, defining a clear boundary between an exclusive inner circle (“us”) and everyone else (“them,” “you”). There’s an aggressive rejection of those perceived as inauthentic or merely pretending to belong (“You act like you do it for real, but, no, you is not one of us”). This establishes a strong sense of cliquishness and elitism, suggesting access to their world or building is tightly controlled.
This exclusion extends to active avoidance and dismissal. The narrator states an unwillingness to associate with outsiders (“don’t fuck with one of them at all”) and a refusal to even engage in basic communication, such as answering phone calls. This isn’t just indifference; it borders on active disdain, explicitly stating dislike and reinforcing the protective, insular nature of their group. This segment highlights the social isolation, whether chosen or resultant, that accompanies the narrator’s worldview.
Segment 3: Hostility, Highs, and Paranoia
The dismissive attitude towards outsiders escalates into outright hostility. The narrator confesses a desire to witness the downfall of those they dislike, revealing a darker, more malevolent aspect of their detached perspective. This lack of empathy is linked to a relentless pursuit of artificial or experiential highs, suggesting a possible coping mechanism for the underlying numbness or a constant need for extreme stimulation. There’s an acknowledgement that past states are irrecoverable (“can never get back”), leading to a perpetual feeling of being “on low” despite the chase for highs.
This internal state is coupled with extreme paranoia and hyper-vigilance. The narrator describes having metaphorical eyes everywhere, constantly monitoring the movements and intentions of others. This suggests a deep distrust of the surrounding environment and a belief that threats are omnipresent. This paranoia fuels the need for exclusion and reinforces the feeling of living in a hostile world where constant defense mechanisms are necessary, even if that world is one largely of their own making or perception.
Segment 4: Severing Ties and Alienation
The theme of exclusion solidifies into decisive action: the swift and ruthless severing of relationships. The narrator boasts about cutting ties easily and frequently, comparing discarded associates to easily swatted “flies” or easily cut “lace.” This imagery emphasizes the perceived disposability of people outside the core circle and the narrator’s lack of hesitation in removing them from their life, even directly (“in your face”).
This ability to cut ties is linked to a sense of uniqueness and irreplaceability (“Nothin’ I do could be replaced”). This belief justifies their actions and potentially their detachment; if they are unique, others are perhaps less valuable or necessary. This sense of being fundamentally different culminates in the feeling of profound alienation, described metaphorically as residing in outer “space”—a realm distant and disconnected from ordinary human interaction and concerns, accessible only through their elevated status.
Segment 5: Escalation and Resistance to Change
A recurring theme is the constant elevation of status, wealth, and experience. The narrator describes taking money, travel (planes), ambitions (“heights”), and even substance use (“gettin’ high”) to entirely new, presumably unprecedented, levels. This relentless pursuit of “another level” signifies a drive for constant progress, expansion, and perhaps escape from stagnation or the “low” feeling previously mentioned.
This upward trajectory is contrasted with a dismissive and almost contemptuous view of others who are not on the same path. The narrator metaphorically offers to hand others a “shovel” to continue “diggin'” their own graves, implying their paths lead to failure or self-destruction. There’s a blunt rejection of accommodating others or changing oneself (“ain’t into makin’ change, I’ma stay the same”), instead demanding that others adapt or aspire to the narrator’s elevated level. This reinforces the sense of superiority and unwillingness to compromise their established trajectory.
Segment 6: Confronting Reality and Questioning Others
The song circles back to the “If we being real” premise, directly confronting the listener or an unnamed other. The narrator questions their own inability to feel while simultaneously challenging the other person’s perceived authenticity (“Why you so real?”). This juxtaposition highlights the narrator’s disconnect and potential confusion – why do others seem to feel or act genuinely when the narrator experiences numbness?
This section also introduces a power dynamic, contrasting the narrator’s global travels (“been overseas”) with the other person’s perceived state of subservience or desperation (“been on your knees,” “beggin’, ‘Please'”). This reinforces the narrator’s sense of superiority and distance. The rhetorical questions about why the other person is “in the field” (involved, perhaps in conflict or struggle) or “so real” further emphasize the narrator’s alienation from common human experiences and emotions.
Segment 7: Annoyance, Conflict, and Need for Space
The narrator expresses irritation at being provoked into feeling anything at all, questioning why the other person elicits unwanted emotional responses. This reinforces the theme of preferring numbness and being disturbed by genuine feeling. There’s a mention of constantly clashing with individuals who believe they are intellectually superior or know better, suggesting a frustration with unsolicited advice or challenges to their worldview.
This leads to a definitive statement of needing personal space and having no time for trivial matters or unwanted interactions (“Who the fuck is you? Got better things to do”). It’s a reassertion of boundaries and a dismissal of external opinions or intrusions. The need for space emphasizes the isolation, whether self-imposed as a protective measure or as a natural consequence of their detached and elevated state.
Segment 8: Numbness, Loss, and Self-Awareness
The concluding part of the verse brings together several threads. The physical numbness (“can’t feel my face”) explicitly links back to likely substance use, reinforcing the theme of artificial states and detachment. Alongside this numbness, however, there’s a flicker of awareness regarding loss – acknowledging “a couple things” that are irreplaceable, hinting at past relationships, opportunities, or perhaps parts of the self sacrificed along the way, even if the feeling associated with that loss is muted.
There’s a moment of stark self-awareness, recognizing the selfishness inherent in this lifestyle as a potential “sickness.” This is juxtaposed with external advice to remember significant moments (“Never forget this”), which the narrator immediately dismisses due to profound memory issues (“forget everything”), further highlighting detachment and perhaps cognitive effects of their lifestyle. The verse ends on a note of ambition mixed with uncertainty – a desire to change everything and top previous achievements, yet unsure exactly how, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved, forward-driven ambiguity.
Metaphors and Symbolism in “If We Being Rëal”
Yeat employs contemporary slang, stark imagery, and metaphorical language throughout “If We Being Rëal” to paint a picture of his detached, elevated, and often hostile worldview. These elements require unpacking across multiple paragraphs to grasp their full significance.
Metaphor: Cutting Ties (“drop ties,” “drop like flies,” “cut ties,” “cut you like a lace”)
The repeated references to severing connections are expressed through violent and dismissive metaphors. Stating the ability to “drop ties” or, more vividly, make people “drop like flies” equates ending relationships or associations with exterminating pests – quickly, easily, and without remorse. This highlights an extreme lack of value placed on people outside the immediate circle and a ruthless efficiency in discarding them.
Further emphasizing this, the act of “cut[ting] ties in this bitch” or directly “in your face” adds a layer of confrontation and disrespect. The comparison to cutting “lace” suggests something delicate being effortlessly severed, further minimizing the significance of the person being cut off. These metaphors collectively symbolize a profound detachment from interpersonal bonds, viewing relationships as disposable commodities rather than meaningful connections, easily discarded to maintain control or exclusivity. This ruthlessness is portrayed as a necessary survival tactic or perhaps a symptom of the narrator’s pervasive numbness.
Metaphor: “Livin’ out in space”
Describing his existence as “livin’ out in space” serves as a powerful metaphor for extreme alienation, elevation, and detachment from the mundane world. Space represents a realm that is distant, empty, perhaps cold, and fundamentally separate from the terrestrial concerns of ordinary people. Living there implies being on such a different level—financially, experientially, perhaps psychologically—that normal interaction or understanding is impossible.
This metaphor encapsulates the isolating consequences of the narrator’s success and lifestyle. While seemingly boasting about reaching heights others cannot, it also carries an undercurrent of loneliness and disconnection. Being “in space” means being removed from the grounding aspects of everyday life, floating in a unique, perhaps self-created, stratosphere where normal rules and emotions don’t apply. It reinforces the theme of being an outsider, even if by choice or as a result of immense success.
Metaphor: Taking things to “another level” / “a newer level”
The constant repetition of taking various aspects of life—money, travel via plane, ambition (“heights”), and substance use (“gettin’ high”)—to “another level” or a “newer level” functions as a core metaphor for relentless ambition, escalation, and perhaps an insatiable desire for more. It signifies a constant striving for upward mobility, exceeding previous limits, and achieving unprecedented degrees of success, wealth, or intensity of experience.
This pursuit of the “next level” defines the narrator’s drive and worldview. It suggests a dissatisfaction with stasis and a need to continually push boundaries, possibly as a way to feel something in the face of numbness or simply as the ultimate measure of success in his world. However, it also implies a potentially exhausting and never-ending cycle of escalation, where reaching one level immediately necessitates striving for the next, contributing to the feeling of detachment and the impossibility of ever “getting back” to a simpler state.
Metaphor: Digging Grave / Passing Shovel / Bursting Bubble
The lines about others “diggin’ your grave” and the narrator offering to “pass you the shovel” employ grim metaphors to express contempt and predict failure for those not on his path. Digging one’s own grave signifies self-destructive behavior leading inevitably to ruin. By offering the shovel, the narrator positions himself as a detached, almost cruel observer, willing to facilitate, rather than prevent, this downfall.
Similarly, stating “I ain’t mean to burst your bubble” is an idiom often used insincerely before delivering harsh truths. Here, it precedes the assertion of his unwillingness to change and his demand that others rise to his level. Bursting someone’s bubble means shattering their illusions or naive hopes. These metaphors collectively portray a worldview where the narrator sees himself as succeeding while others are destined to fail through their own actions, and he feels no obligation—perhaps even takes grim satisfaction—in observing or hastening their demise. This reinforces his sense of superiority and detachment from others’ fates.
Metaphor: “Can’t feel my face”
The admission “I can’t feel my face” is a direct and common reference to the physical numbing effect associated with certain drugs, particularly cocaine or potent stimulants. While potentially literal within the song’s context, it also functions powerfully as a metaphor reinforcing the central theme of emotional numbness declared at the beginning of the song.
This physical inability to feel serves as a concrete manifestation of the deeper psychological or emotional detachment the narrator experiences. It bridges the gap between the physical effects of his lifestyle (implied substance use) and his internal state (“don’t never feel nothin'”). This line chillingly underscores the extent of his disconnection, suggesting a state where even basic physical sensation is muted, mirroring the lack of emotional response that defines much of his perspective throughout the track.
The Story Behind “If We Being Rëal”
“If We Being Rëal” is a track from Yeat’s 2023 album AftërLyfe, a project that saw the young, influential rapper delve into even more experimental and often darker sonic territory. Yeat, known for pioneering a futuristic, rage-influenced sound characterized by unique vocalizations, heavy synth melodies, unconventional ad-libs, and often abstract or flex-centric lyrics, continued to explore themes of wealth, isolation, substance use, and a kind of detached, otherworldly persona on this album. AftërLyfe was noted for its atmospheric production and Yeat’s continued evolution, pushing the boundaries of his established style.
While Yeat is generally known for being somewhat private and not giving extensive interviews detailing the specific meanings behind his lyrics, “If We Being Rëal” fits well within the broader themes present in his work and on the AftërLyfe project. The song’s exploration of emotional numbness juxtaposed with extreme wealth and status, the aggressive exclusion of outsiders, the references to drug use, and the undercurrents of paranoia and alienation are recurring motifs in Yeat’s music. His lyrics often prioritize vibe, sound, and evocative phrases over linear storytelling, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the feeling and atmosphere he creates.
The song can be seen as a reflection of a certain archetype within contemporary hip-hop – the highly successful yet isolated figure, potentially grappling with the pressures and consequences of fame and fortune, leading to a hardened, detached exterior. The phrase “If We Being Rëal” itself suggests a conscious or subconscious awareness of this persona, offering a fleeting moment of what feels like candid self-assessment amidst the usual bravado. The track serves as a potent example of Yeat’s ability to convey complex, often dark, emotional states through his unique sonic and lyrical style.
(Further context may be found in reviews and analyses of the AftërLyfe album from major music publications. Please note: the following is an example link structure for a Pitchfork review and may not lead to an active page – https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/yeat-afterlyfe/ )
Conclusion: The Cold Heights of Modern Success
Yeat’s “If We Being Rëal” offers a compelling, albeit unsettling, dive into a consciousness marked by extreme detachment, relentless ambition, and profound isolation. Through its stream-of-consciousness delivery and signature atmospheric production, the song constructs a persona numbed to emotion yet hyper-aware of status, threats, and the need to constantly escalate. The juxtaposition of boasting about reaching “another level” with confessions of not feeling anything creates a powerful tension, hinting at the potential emptiness underlying extreme material success.
The track stands as a potent piece within Yeat’s discography and the AftërLyfe album, encapsulating his unique ability to translate complex, often dark, internal states into a distinct sonic and lyrical experience. It explores the paradoxes of a certain modern condition – the potential for deep alienation amidst hyper-connectivity, the drive for constant elevation leading to a kind of outer-space existence, and the difficulty of maintaining authenticity, or even feeling, in a world perceived as hostile and superficial. “If We Being Rëal,” with its titular hint of rare honesty, leaves the listener contemplating the cold realities that might accompany life at the perceived pinnacle.
