The song “Cry about it!” by Kali Uchis and Ravyn Lenae is a confident and dismissive anthem about confronting a rival’s envy. It’s sung from the perspective of someone who knows they are the subject of another person’s hatred and jealousy (likely over a man) and tells that person to simply “cry about it” because there’s nothing else they can do. In this article, we explore the meaning of this song, breaking down its metaphors and emotions.
Introduction to the Song
“Cry about it!” emerges as a standout track from Kali Uchis’s highly anticipated (and fictional) 2025 album, Sincerely: P.S. The song, a collaboration with fellow neo-soul and R&B artist Ravyn Lenae, immediately captures attention with its silky-smooth production that belies a sharp, confrontational message. It’s a perfect blend of the two artists’ signature styles: Uchis’s bilingual, glamorous confidence and Lenae’s ethereal, introspective psycho-analysis.
From the opening “Ooh-ooh” hums, the track sets a “vibey” and unbothered atmosphere. Listeners expecting a song about sadness, as the title might suggest, are quickly subverted. “Cry about it!” is not a ballad of pain; it is a declaration of emotional victory. It’s the anthem for the person who has “won” a silent competition—be it for a lover, for success, or simply for peace of mind—and is now looking back at their rival with a mix of pity and sarcastic dismissal.
The song operates as a narrative duet. Kali Uchis delivers the direct, cutting remarks, outlining the “crime” (envy over a man), while Ravyn Lenae provides the cooler, more psychological breakdown of the rival’s internal suffering. Together, they paint a complete picture of a person consumed by jealousy, and their unified message is simple: We see you, we know why you’re mad, and your only option is to cry.
Central Theme & Message
The central theme of “Cry about it!” is the confident dismissal of envy. The song is a direct address to a “hater” or a rival, turning their negativity into a source of power for the speakers. The core message is one of supreme self-assurance: your hatred for me is irrelevant, it doesn’t affect my life or my success, and in fact, it only “kills you softly.”
This central theme is built on several powerful sub-themes. The first is the idea of “female rivalry,” specifically, as Kali Uchis points out, “solo por un hombre” (just because of a man). The song highlights the destructive nature of this competition, but from the winner’s circle. It doesn’t lament the rivalry; it accepts it as a fact and declares a clear victor. The man in question is never heard from; he is merely the prize that has already been won, rendering the rival’s ongoing envy pointless.
Another key message is the power of being “unbothered.” The speakers aren’t angry or defensive. Their tone is calm, smooth, and sarcastic. This emotional control is their ultimate weapon. By refusing to be drawn into an open conflict, they maintain their superiority. The rival is “losing sleep over envy,” while the speakers are singing smooth R&B melodies.
Finally, the song sends a message about the self-destructive nature of jealousy. The rival isn’t being “killed” by Kali or Ravyn; she is “killing you softly.” Her own envy is the poison. The song’s seemingly empathetic line, “Llora, llora, hasta que ya te deje de doler” (Cry, cry, until it stops hurting you), is the ultimate expression of this. It’s a cold acknowledgement that the rival must go through a painful process of her own making, all alone.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning
To fully grasp the song’s layered message, a line-by-line breakdown is essential. Each word is carefully chosen to build the narrative of confident dominance.
[Intro: Kali Uchis] Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
The song begins not with words, but with a mood. These “oohs” are not a wail of sadness. They are a smooth, ethereal, almost lazy hum. This intro serves to establish the song’s cool, R&B atmosphere. It’s the sound of someone who is relaxed, confident, and completely unbothered. It immediately contrasts with the confrontational title, letting the listener know that the “crying” will not be done by the singer. It’s the musical equivalent of a confident smile before delivering a sharp comeback.
[Chorus: Kali Uchis] Too bad (Too bad), so sad (So sad) You should cry about it (Oh-oh) Llora, llora, hasta que ya te deje de doler Too bad (Too bad), so sad (So sad) Go cry about it Cry about it, cry about it Go cry about it
The chorus is a masterpiece of sarcastic dismissal. “Too bad, so sad” is a phrase plucked directly from a childish taunt. It’s an expression of insincere, feigned sympathy. Kali Uchis isn’t actually sad for this person; she is mocking their misfortune.
“You should cry about it” is delivered as a command, not as advice. It’s a verbal shrug, the equivalent of saying “That’s your problem, not mine.” It implies that crying is the only action the rival can take, highlighting their complete powerlessness to change the situation.
The Spanish line, “Llora, llora, hasta que ya te deje de doler,” is the most complex part of the chorus. On the surface, it sounds almost therapeutic: “Cry, cry, until it stops hurting you.” It acknowledges that crying is a natural process of healing. However, coming from a rival, it takes on a much colder meaning. It’s a taunt that says, “Go ahead and start that long, painful process of getting over me and my success. It’s going to take you a while.” It’s a recognition of the rival’s pain, delivered from a place of complete emotional detachment. The repetition of “Cry about it” at the end of the chorus drills the message home, turning it into a hypnotic, mocking chant.
[Verse 1: Kali Uchis] Yo sé que te duele cuando escuchas mi nombre (I know it hurts you when you hear my name)
The verse opens with a statement of pure power. The speaker’s very identity—her “nombre”—is a source of pain for the other person. This establishes the speaker’s status. She doesn’t even have to do anything; her simple existence is a torment to her rival.
Sé que me odias solo por un hombre (I know you hate me just because of a man)
Here, Kali Uchis names the source of the conflict. This line is crucial because it diminishes the rival’s hatred. By adding the word “solo” (just, only), she frames the rivalry as petty and reductive. The rival’s intense, all-consuming hatred is reduced to a simple, almost cliché, fight over a man. It implies the rival has no other, more legitimate reason for her feelings.
Sé que la envidia is killing you softly (I know that envy is killing you softly)
This is a direct and powerful cultural reference to the iconic song “Killing Me Softly,” popularized by both Roberta Flack and The Fugees. But here, the “killing” isn’t being done by a song or a man; it’s being done by the rival’s own “envidia” (envy). This is a brilliant psychological flip. The speaker is not the villain; she is just the mirror. The rival is the one poisoning herself. The word “softly” emphasizes that this is a slow, internal, self-destructive process.
Every time I step out, put the nail in your coffin
This is the verse’s climax and the song’s most potent metaphor. “Stepping out” means to go out, to be seen, to live her life (likely looking glamorous). Every time the speaker is visible and thriving, it is another “nail in your coffin.” This implies the rival’s hope, or perhaps her ego, is already “dead.” The speaker’s success is not a battle; it’s a funeral procession for the rival’s chances. It’s a final, definitive act that confirms the “social death” of the rival’s position.
[Verse 2: Ravyn Lenae] Creeping under the surface, I know I make you nervous
Ravyn Lenae’s verse shifts the song’s perspective from direct taunts to a more internal, psychological analysis. She is “creeping under the surface” of the rival’s mind. She is the source of the rival’s anxiety, the thought they can’t get rid of. This imagery is almost horror-like; the speaker is a ghost haunting the rival’s thoughts, making her “nervous” and paranoid.
Tell me what is the purpose if it’s out of my control? (Out of my control)
This is a rhetorical question that feigns innocence, making it even more cutting. Ravyn is essentially saying, “Why are you obsessed with me? I can’t control that he likes me,” or “I can’t control that I am successful.” It’s a powerful move that claims passivity (“it’s out of my control”) while simultaneously asserting her superiority. She is so effortlessly “that girl” that the rival’s envy is, to her, both baffling and pointless.
Baby girl, take it easy, losing sleep over envy
The term “baby girl” is deeply patronizing. It’s what one would call a child who is overreacting. Ravyn positions herself as the calm, mature adult advising a hysterical, obsessive child. The phrase “losing sleep over envy” paints a vivid picture of the rival as a tragic figure, tossing and turning at night while consumed by thoughts of Ravyn, who (we assume) is sleeping perfectly soundly.
Through you I can see clearly and I know why you’re hurt
This is the final, devastating psychological blow. Ravyn reveals that the rival’s anger is transparent. Her envy isn’t a weapon; it’s a window. When Ravyn looks at her rival’s hatred, she doesn’t see a threat. She sees through it, “clearly,” and understands the real reason: the rival is just “hurt” and insecure. This line strips the rival of all her power, re-framing her intimidating hatred as nothing more than pathetic, visible pain.
[Outro: Kali Uchis] Sometimes you just got to cry You just got to cry about it…
The song ends by circling back to the chorus, but this time the lines are spoken and repeated like a broken record. This repetition strips the phrase “you just got to cry” of any remaining therapeutic meaning. It becomes a taunt, a simple, dismissive summary of the rival’s entire situation. The song fades out not with a resolution, but with the speaker’s final, lingering command for the rival to stay in her feelings and “cry about it.”
Emotional Tone & Mood
The emotional tone of “Cry about it!” is a fascinating study in contrasts. The lyrics are sharp, cutting, sarcastic, and undeniably confident. There is a “mean girl” energy to the words, a coldness that comes from a place of absolute victory. Phrases like “too bad, so sad” and “baby girl, take it easy” are condescending, while “nail in your coffin” is dark and final.
However, this lyrical sharpness is delivered via the “velvet glove” of the music. The song’s mood, dictated by the production and the vocal delivery of Uchis and Lenae, is smooth, ethereal, soulful, and relaxed. The beat is likely a mid-tempo R&B groove, a “head-nodder” that feels good. This contrast is the song’s genius. The beautiful, dreamy soundscape makes the dismissive message feel even colder and more “unbothered.”
The song creates an empowering mood for the listener. It’s a “main character” anthem. It’s designed to be played while getting ready to “step out,” putting on makeup, or driving at night. It validates the listener’s own confidence and provides a soundtrack for brushing off negativity. It makes the listener feel like the one who is in control, the one who is above the fray, and the one who can look at any “hater” and simply say, “Go cry about it.”
Artist’s Perspective / Backstory
While “Cry about it!” is a track from the fictional 2025 album Sincerely: P.S., and the artists have not spoken about this specific song, its themes align perfectly with their established artistic personas. We can analyze the song’s perspective by looking at their real-life careers and interviews.
Kali Uchis has built her entire brand on a foundation of divine femininity, unapologetic self-worth, and a “don’t-mess-with-me” attitude. Her music, from Isolation to Sin Miedo and Red Moon in Venus, consistently explores themes of knowing her value and dismissing those who try to bring her down. In a 2023 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Uchis stated, “I’m a very loving person, but I’m not a pushover… I’m going to protect my peace.”
“Cry about it!” is the musical embodiment of that protected peace. It’s the “after” picture. The peace has been protected, the battle has been won, and now she is commenting on it from a place of safety. Songs like her hit “Dead to Me” show a similar theme of cutting off negative energy, but “Cry about it!” is even more advanced. The person isn’t just “dead” to her; she is actively observing their post-mortem suffering with a sarcastic “too bad, so sad.” It’s a natural evolution of her “unbothered” persona.
Ravyn Lenae brings a different, more introspective energy that complements Uchis perfectly. Her 2022 album Hypnos was praised for its ethereal, complex, and vulnerable exploration of self. In an interview with Pitchfork, Lenae spoke of her music as exploring her “internal world.” Her verse in “Cry about it!” is exactly that. While Uchis makes external observations (“I know you hate me,” “I see you”), Lenae psycho-analyzes the rival’s internal world (“I make you nervous,” “I know why you’re hurt”).
This collaboration is a meeting of two modern R&B “goddesses.” Uchis is the glamorous, sun-goddess energy, directly confronting the issue. Lenae is the moon-goddess energy, moving “under the surface” and exposing the rival’s hidden insecurities. Together, they form an unshakeable wall of confidence.
Real-Life Events or Facts Related to the Song
While there are no specific, confirmed real-life feuds or events that the artists have publicly tied to “Cry about it!”, the song is deeply rooted in several verifiable, real-world facts and cultural phenomena.
- The Rise of Bilingual “Spanglish” Pop: The seamless switching between English and Spanish is a signature of Kali Uchis’s artistry. This is not just a stylistic choice; it’s a reflection of a massive real-life trend in global music. Artists like Uchis, Bad Bunny, and Karol G have brought bilingual music to the forefront of the Billboard charts. Uchis’s use of “Llora, llora” and “solo por un hombre” grounds the song in her cultural identity and speaks to a massive, modern audience that exists between two languages. It makes the song’s message of confident femininity feel both personal to her and globally relevant.
- The “Killing Me Softly” Song History: Kali’s line, “la envidia is killing you softly,” is a direct and verifiable reference. The song “Killing Me Softly with His Song” has a deep history. It was originally written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel in 1972, inspired by a poem by Lori Lieberman. It was made a global #1 hit by Roberta Flack in 1973. Then, in 1996, it was iconically covered by The Fugees, with Lauryn Hill on lead vocals. This Fugees version is the one most ingrained in modern R&B and hip-hop culture. By referencing this specific song, Uchis connects her rival’s self-destructive envy to a legendary piece of R&B history, adding a layer of cultural and musical depth to her taunt.
- The “Losing Sleep” Era of Social Media Envy: Ravyn Lenae’s line “losing sleep over envy” is a chillingly accurate description of a real-life phenomenon amplified by social media. Kali’s line “Every time I step out” takes on new meaning in an age where “stepping out” is a public act documented on Instagram. Countless sociological and psychological studies have confirmed a direct link between social media use, “social comparison theory,” and increased rates of envy, anxiety, and depression. People are literally “losing sleep” over the curated, successful lives they see online. The song taps directly into this modern, digital-age anxiety, framing the speakers as the ones being envied and the rival as the one scrolling obsessively in the dark.
Metaphors & Symbolism
The lyrical power of “Cry about it!” comes from its vivid metaphors. The artists use symbolic language to elevate their dismissive taunts into poetic declarations of dominance.
1. “Put the nail in your coffin”
- Detailed Breakdown: This is the song’s most powerful and darkest metaphor. A “nail in the coffin” is an idiom for the final, definitive act that seals the fate of something already doomed. In this context, the “coffin” represents the rival’s hope, her ego, or her “chance” with the man in question. It’s already dead and in the box.
- Symbolism: The “nail” is the speaker’s simple act of “stepping out”—living her life, being successful, being seen, and being glamorous. This metaphor frames the speaker’s success as an effortless, almost passive, act of finality. She isn’t fighting the rival; she is simply presiding over the funeral of the rival’s ambitions.
- Emotional Impact: This imagery is cold, dark, and absolute. It creates a sense of finality and crushing defeat. It’s not a wound that can be healed; it’s a death that is being finalized. It enhances the song’s emotional tone of total, unshakeable dominance.
2. “Killing you softly”
- Detailed Breakdown: This metaphor, a play on the classic song, describes the nature of the rival’s envy. It is not a quick, violent, or external attack. It is a “soft” poison—an internal, emotional process that is slowly and methodically destroying her from the inside out.
- Symbolism: “Envy” is personified as a slow-acting poison or a chronic illness. The word “softly” is deeply ironic; it’s a “soft” feeling (jealousy) that is having the “hardest” possible consequence (death). This metaphor cleverly places the blame for the “killing” entirely on the rival herself. The speakers are “not guilty”; the rival is the one self-administering the poison.
- Emotional Impact: This creates a sense of pity, but it’s a cold, detached pity. It frames the rival as a tragic, self-destructive figure, not as a threat. This enhances the speaker’s superiority; she is healthy and thriving, while her rival is dying from her own emotions.
3. “Creeping under the surface”
- Detailed Breakdown: This metaphor, used by Ravyn Lenae, describes her psychological presence in the rival’s mind. She is not a loud, obvious threat. She is an unseen, pervasive force—like a creature moving just out of sight in deep water, or a root system growing underground.
- Symbolism: This symbolizes anxiety, paranoia, and obsession. The rival feels Ravyn’s presence everywhere, even when she’s not physically there. She “creeps” into her thoughts, her sleep, and her sense of self, making her “nervous.”
- Emotional Impact: This metaphor creates a mood of psychological haunting. It makes the speaker seem almost supernaturally powerful, able to inflict anxiety without even trying. It highlights the rival’s obsessive state and contrasts it with the speaker’s calm.
4. “Through you I can see clearly”
- Detailed Breakdown: This is a metaphor of transparency. Ravyn Lenae is claiming that the rival’s “envy” is not an opaque wall of hatred. Instead, it is a “window” or a “lens.”
- Symbolism: The rival’s hatred is a mirror that reflects her own insecurities, or a window that allows the speaker to see directly into her “hurt” soul. The rival thinks she is projecting power and anger, but she is actually just revealing her own weakness and pain.
- Emotional Impact: This is the ultimate “mind game” move. It intellectually disarms the rival. It invalidates her anger, re-branding it as simple, readable pain. This creates an emotional impact of supreme psychological intelligence and control. The speaker is not just prettier or more successful; she is smarter and more emotionally aware.
5. “Cry about it” (as a Symbolic Refrain)
- Detailed Breakdown: The phrase itself, repeated over and over, transcends its literal meaning. The act of “crying” becomes a symbol for the rival’s entire existence and her only recourse.
- Symbolism: “Crying” symbolizes complete and utter powerlessness. It is the last resort of someone who has no other moves to make. It represents a total surrender to their own negative emotions.
- Emotional Impact: By turning the song’s title into a repetitive, chanting refrain, the speakers belittle the rival’s pain. They reduce all her complex feelings of envy, hatred, and hurt into one simple, pathetic act: crying. It’s the final, dismissive pat on the head.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: What is the main message of “Cry about it!”? Answer 1: The main message is the confident and dismissive rejection of a rival’s envy. It’s a song from the perspective of someone who knows they are being hated on (likely over a man) and tells that person that their only option is to “cry about it,” because they are powerless to change the situation.
Question 2: Who is the song directed to? Answer 2: The song is directed at a rival, a “hater,” or another woman who is consumed by “envidia” (envy). Kali Uchis makes this clear by saying, “Sé que me odias solo por un hombre” (I know you hate me just because of a man), identifying the source of the conflict.
Question 3: What does “Llora, llora, hasta que ya te deje de doler” mean? Answer 3: This Spanish line translates to “Cry, cry, until it stops hurting you.” It has a dual meaning. On one hand, it’s a “therapeutic” suggestion, acknowledging that crying is a way to process pain. But in the song’s sarcastic context, it’s a taunt, basically saying, “Go ahead and cry your eyes out, it’s going to take you a long time to get over this.”
Question 4: Is “Cry about it!” a sad song? Answer 4: No, it is the opposite of a sad song. Despite the title, the speakers (Kali Uchis and Ravyn Lenae) are not the ones crying. The song is confident, empowering, and sarcastic. The mood is smooth and unbothered, while the message is a taunt telling someone else to be sad.
Question 5: What is the meaning of the “nail in your coffin” lyric? Answer 5: The line “Every time I step out, put the nail in your coffin” is a metaphor. It means the rival’s hope or ego is already “dead” (in the coffin). Every time the speaker is seen living her successful, glamorous life (“stepping out”), it’s the final “nail,” sealing the rival’s defeat and making it permanent.
Question 6: Why does Kali Uchis reference “killing you softly”? Answer 6: This is a famous cultural reference to the song “Killing Me Softly,” most notably recorded by Roberta Flack and The Fugees. Kali flips the meaning. She says “la envidia is killing you softly,” meaning the rival’s own envy is the “soft” poison that is slowly destroying her from the inside.
Question 7: What is the role of Ravyn Lenae’s verse? Answer 7: Ravyn Lenae’s verse provides a more psychological and introspective “takedown” of the rival. While Kali Uchis makes direct statements about the rivalry, Ravyn analyzes the rival’s internal state, talking about making her “nervous” and being “under the surface” of her thoughts.
Question 8: What does Ravyn mean by “if it’s out of my control”? Answer 8: This is a rhetorical question that asserts power by faking passivity. She’s essentially saying, “Why are you mad at me? I can’t help it if I’m more successful / if he prefers me.” It’s a way of saying her own superiority is so natural that she “can’t control” it, which makes the rival’s envy seem even more pointless.
Question 9: What is the meaning of “Through you I can see clearly”? Answer 9: This line means the rival’s envy is transparent. Her hatred isn’t a threat; it’s a “window” that allows Ravyn to see the rival’s true feelings—that she is just “hurt” and insecure. It flips the power dynamic, turning the rival’s “attack” into a “confession.”
Question 10: Why do they say “Baby girl, take it easy”? Answer 10: This is a patronizing and condescending term. By calling the rival “baby girl,” Ravyn Lenae is treating her like a hysterical, overreacting child. It’s a way of diminishing her intense emotions and positioning herself as the calm, mature adult.
Question 11: Who is the “hombre” (man) in the song? Answer 11: The “hombre” is the catalyst for the rivalry, but he is ultimately unimportant to the song’s message. He is never named and never speaks. The song is not about him; it’s about the power dynamic between the two women and the self-destructive nature of the rival’s envy.
Question 12: How does the song blend English and Spanish? Answer 12: The song uses “Spanglish,” a common feature in Kali Uchis’s music. She uses Spanish (e.g., “Llora, llora,” “Yo sé,” “hombre,” “envidia”) to express key concepts, grounding the song in her cultural identity and adding a layer of authenticity to her “unbothered” persona.
Question 13: What is the emotional tone of the song? Answer 13: The tone is a contrast. The lyrics are sarcastic, sharp, dismissive, and cold. However, the music and vocal delivery are smooth, soulful, ethereal, and relaxed. This “velvet glove over an iron fist” approach makes the dismissive message feel even more confident and unbothered.
Question 14: What does “creeping under the surface” symbolize? Answer 14: It symbolizes the speaker’s psychological presence in the rival’s mind. She is not a loud, obvious threat, but an anxiety and obsession that the rival can’t get rid of. It creates a mood of paranoia, suggesting the rival is being haunted by her own jealousy.
Question 15: Why is the rival “losing sleep over envy”? Answer 15: This line paints a picture of the rival as being completely consumed by her jealousy. While the speakers are living their lives, the rival is up at night, obsessing over their success. It highlights the rival’s tragic, self-destructive fixation.
Question 16: What does the intro “Ooh-ooh” set up? Answer 16: The “Ooh-ooh” intro sets up the song’s “vibey” and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a smooth R&B hum, not a cry of pain. It immediately subverts the listener’s expectation (based on the title “Cry about it!”) and establishes the confident, unbothered tone.
Question 17: How does this song fit with Kali Uchis’s other music? Answer 17: This song is a perfect fit for Kali Uchis’s artistic persona. Much of her music (like “Dead to Me”) deals with themes of self-worth, divine femininity, and protecting her peace from “haters” or negative energy. “Cry about it!” is a confident declaration that her peace has been protected and her rival has lost.
Question 18: How does this song fit with Ravyn Lenae’s music? Answer 18: Ravyn Lenae’s music (like her album Hypnos) is known for being introspective, ethereal, and psychologically complex. Her verse fits perfectly, as she doesn’t just taunt the rival; she analyzes her, looking “through” her anger to see the “hurt” underneath.
Question 19: What is the final message of the outro? Answer 19: The outro, which repeats “Sometimes you just got to cry,” acts as a final, dismissive taunt. By repeating the line as a spoken-word chant, it strips it of any therapeutic meaning and reinforces the song’s core message: your only option is to be sad. It’s the final word.
Question 20: Is “Cry about it!” an empowerment anthem? Answer 20: Yes, absolutely. But it’s a specific kind of empowerment. It’s not about lifting others up. It’s an anthem for the self, a song to listen to when you feel confident, successful, and unbothered by negativity or “haters.” It empowers the listener by placing them in the position of the “winner.”