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Syl Messi Questions What It Means to be Famous in “Star Freestyle”
- wilhelmdukemgmt
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
I’ve been familiar with Syl Messi for a few years now but this is the first record of his that I’ve covered! Star Freestyle is an introspective record that has a dope flow and a refined rap style from Syl; thought provoking while still being something fun to bump! That's the best combination; Syl Messi feels like an artist TDE would co-sign and put him on a Black Hippies project. A dope emcee and artist all around!
Shot by Chicago staple of videography Ryder Visuals, Syl Messi and a group of his friends are performing and vibing out in 2 locations; an indoor white cyclorama and outside in a back alley. Authentic and true to form.
“I just kept on rapping when they told me make a plan, B and C, or see, I always plan to be the fucking man” relatable to every rapper, we’ve probably heard thousands of times to quit or do something, else. Syl Messi says fuck that, I’ll keep going. I applaud this mentality, it builds grit and creates consistency.
“Better than your favorite but that shit ain’t nothing new” I like this line a lot considering the relevancy of Lupe saying that he knows 100 unsigned indie rappers that are better than Kendrick lyrically. I don’t think I agree with Lupe, but in general, I agree with Syl. I will always uplift and support indies because I am an indie rapper myself.
“No more drums, no more flats, no more guns, no more pills, no more drink, no more red, give me dank, give me deals, give me space, n***as frail” This line was incredibly sophisticated; in my interpretation Syl is saying he wants a different lifestyle across the board for the culture. Where cannabis, good business, more space and less cramped living conditions are an ideal scenario over small apartments, chitterlings, gun violence, and pill popping. If you were to hear only this line from Star Freestyle how could you not rock with Syl Messi? At least from an ideological and progressive standpoint, I think most people would agree with this! I really like where Syl’s lyricism goes, again; beyond thought provoking.
“They tell me this shit normal, but the lies, what they are, I guess that’s how you do it if you wanna be a star, I don’t wanna be a star” This is where the thesis of Syl Messi’s Star Freestyle hits you by the end of the record. If rappers can get killed over some words they rapped, why exactly would he want to be a star? And the song makes you think of how what he’s promoting doesn’t exactly line up with the majority of current rap stars or even music stars in general, and why would he want to be one if it would make him a liar in his own music?
There’s probably thousands more words that could be written about the themes of this song, but don’t just let me tell you, sit with the record for at least a few listens and figure out what his points mean to you. It's quite a universal message, something I think everyone reading this needs to pay attention to.
Syl Messi might not want to be a star, but in his own right, I think he is. And like Uncle Ben always said, there’s a responsibility that comes with that. Star Freestyle is out now on all platforms. Hit the links below to watch the music video or stream the song!
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