Prime Picks: "Trauma Mic" by Armand Hammer feat. Pink Siifu
billy woods and ELUCID returns as a duo with a DJ Haram-produced banger.
Armand Hammer, a duo comprised of billy woods and ELUCID, recently signed to Fat Possum Records as they prepare to unleash their eighth studio album, We Buy Diabetic Test Strips. They released their first single and music video to “Trauma Mic,” produced by DJ Haram, who is no stranger to producing these elite MCs. This track is a reminder that these guys do not miss.
With a music video co-directed by actor Tim Blake Nelson, the song begins with loud-hitting cymbals and a feature from Pink Siifu calling attention to those who fail to keep their promises. He’s not rapping on this track, but hanging with these top-tier lyricists would’ve been nice. This sets the tone for the rest of the track, characterized by blunt and raw lyricism with hard-hitting bass.
ELUCID starts the first verse, referencing his buoyancy and critical perspective on life. The line “I’ve been still like debris in the lake” may symbolize a feeling of stagnation or resistance to movement despite the constant flux of life around him.
He continues his verse continues this reflective and aggressive tone. A standout line here is “Neo-folk, trauma mic/Echo chamber deep fake,” which could suggest the commodification of pain and trauma in popular culture, especially within the music industry.
The following verse seems to critique thoughtless action, “Who needs to think when your feet just go?/Who needs to think when your mouth just run?” This verse also introduces the idea of a lingering, unfulfilled promise or threat, symbolized by the “flood that they said would never come.”
The last verse is handled by billy woods, who expresses skepticism towards collective efforts and the superficiality of fame and popularity. The line “Them ni**as ain’t dyin’ for you/It’s the other way around if you actually read it” challenges the fans’ assumptions about loyalty and sacrifice, possibly within the music industry context.
The song’s lyrics explore disillusionment, criticism of popular culture, and the struggle for authenticity in a world filled with pretense and superficiality. It’s a reflective track to question our perceptions and assumptions. The raw and sometimes confrontational lyricism underscores the artists’ commitment to sincerity and truth, even when these may be uncomfortable or challenging.