Smokepurpp Warns Opps He'll "Shoot First" In New Single

BYGabriel Bras Nevares2.1K Views
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The Miami trap rapper has released his first lead solo single since 2021's "Not Your Speed" with Lil Gnar.

It's been a while since we've heard from Miami's own Smokepurpp. He's defended his work and career amid fall-off claims, especially after footage of empty shows have surfaced. However, based off his newly released single "Shoot First," we can tell he's been hard at work. Sure, it's his first solo release since 2021's "Not Your Speed" with Lil Gnar, but there's more to come. Moreover, Smokepurpp is working hard on his next project, his first since 2021's Psycho (Legally Insane) EP. Also, it'll be his first full-length since 2020's Florida Jit mixtape.

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"Shoot First" boasts a music video as well, in which Smokepurpp is surrounded by women, slot machines, and hazy neon lights. Actually, the vibe contrasts with the track's murderous nature. The "Audi" star employs some trademark distorted 808s, but the grand piano melody is unlike the synth melodies he frequents. In fact, this is probably one of his rawest songs in a minute.

In terms of the track's structure, fans likely took no surprise to its minute-and-change runtime and chorus-assisted verse. For longtime Purpp listeners, this song employs a more straightforward sound. It's not quite as bass-heavy, trippy, or synthetic (as far as sound) as most of his catalog. However, the 25-year-old actually threw it back to some earlier trap influences on this cut. Seemingly, he hopped out the SoundCloud sound for a second and embraced a more street-dictated sound.

Purpp also changed the pace and style of his pen. On "Shoot First," Smokepurpp delivers a relentless verse that couldn't be further from the laid-back bars of a track like "Ski Mask." The chorus is mid-tempo, but the former Cactus Jack signee comes through with a vengeance when he steps to the mic. It's one of the fastest verses we've heard from Purpp, and fortunately, it hits hard.

Lyrically, the Miami rapper is threatening to do exactly that. To elaborate, "Shoot First" is a detailed affirmation that Purpp is ready to hand out smoke. Whether you're an Internet gangster or in the streets, don't cross him if you won't take the heat. On the music side of things, he dismissed the empty show criticism, saying his shows are still lit.

You can check out Smokepurpp's newest single on your preferred streaming service. Also, peep some quotable lyrics from "Shoot First" and its music video below.

Quotable Lyrics

You would think that we up in a wreck 'cause we pullin' a choppa and givin' 'em rounds (Grrt-grrt, baow)
I'm a king of my hood, I just put on my Rollie and I treat that b***h like a crown (Baow)
If I spot a opp', then we puttin' him down, I ain't kiddin' around, yeah, we pullin' his scalp (Yeah)
Why your n***a just wan' go kill ya? He wanna earn stripes, he don't care about clout

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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