Yung Miami has the summer’s hit in “Spend Dat,” but the track’s materialistic vibe isn’t winning universal praise. A number of voices are calling for a boycott due to its provocative message.
“I believe it’s degrading to our culture. At some point, we have to take seriously the power music has over our perception and the values it reinforces. This can’t be the song of the Summer,” wrote a Threads user going by the handle @mrs.mj.tedla.
India Arie echoed the sentiment. “I spent my entire adult life, caring way too much,” wrote the Grammy-winning singer. “I finally learned that not everybody Cares ( with a capital C) And explaining it to them is not gonna make them care. Everything you listen to see or eat is going to influence you. So make wise choices y’all,” she added.
The thread sparked discussion about whether the track should be boycotted rather than celebrated. Even with mixed feelings about the lyrics, “Spend Dat” clearly resonates with fans. It currently sits at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Type Of Music You Listen To Doesn’t Necessarily Define The Person You Are
Not everyone is taking “Spend Dat” literally.
Jay Z wrote in his memoir/songbook Decoded that he was floored when he realized that people were envisioning themselves as him when they rapped. Those visions rarely resulted in actions because people understood it was HIS story, not theirs.
Everyone bumping “Spend Dat” is not trying to find their own personal swiper to fund their lifestyle, the same way everyone watching Power is not about to start flipping bricks. Some people just like to cosplay through the music they listen to. It doesn’t mean they’re adopting a sprinkle sprinkle lifestyle.
Surgeons bump trap music in the OR. Lawyers hype themselves up to Thug Motivation 101. Librarians play strip club anthems in their AirPods.
Music contains elements that are universally felt. “Spend Dat” is a bop. It’s not a moral call to action. It’s a playful tune that highlights how people want to live in abundance using the same kind of criminal imagery flaunted in Goodfellas and Belly.
Lisa Raye gave an example of how she approaches the song in an interview with Carlos King.
She posted a quick video to “Spend Dat” that went viral. That doesn’t mean she’s down to support boosting and scamming. “I’m conflicted because I don’t believe in the words of the song,” she told King.
She explained that she knew the type of people the song describes as a younger woman and was privy to their “shenigans,” but her use of the song in the present was just to playfully announce her arrival on TikTok.
“I did it for fun,” she explained. Fun looks different for everyone as well, and that’s okay.
We’ve Got Bigger Problems Than A Former City Girl
Black women and children are being murdered by the men charged with protecting and providing for them. Black communities are being disenfranchised by bills designed to gut their collective political power. Algorithms are becoming landlords, creating housing insecurity for hardworking people.
Yung Miami and her TikTok challenge aren’t responsible for that.
She’s a polarizing figure with plenty of flaws. I’m personally still annoyed she brought “go together” back into the mainstream. But the same way the violence in the hood existed before gangsta rap and gold digger narratives existed, it was there long before she ever grabbed a mic.
It’s okay if you’re morally opposed to “Spend Dat” the same way India Arie is. Not everything has to be for you. But instead of shaming people for what they enjoy, a more productive approach might be to celebrate artists who create music that aligns with your values.
Why Not Support Those Creating The Music You Want?
The call-to-boycott thread was full of people arguing that “all” contemporary rap mirrors the vibe of “Spend Dat.” That isn’t accurate.
There are distinct corners within the rap scene that reflect the morals people say they want celebrated, yet they aren’t backed. Der Witz released a list of affirmations. Rapsody, Tierra Whack, and others consistently put out work that isn’t focused solely on transactional sexuality and outrageously expensive handbags.
It doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.
There are artists crafting songs filled with affirmations that never get streamed. Their lyrics don’t get reposted.
If you’re after a different summer anthem, you should stream it, post about it, and push it to the forefront of our culture.
