Track Ten: Tell Me What’s Up
Low key this song is sad but this music video makes me so happy lol
I have been wanting to write about this song forever. It’s actually one of the most loaded songs on his album that explains — literally everything. Every song can be linked to this one– about how he is feeling in this moment and leading up until this moment. There are a lot of repetitive topics he explores in his old work that are referenced in this song – and it’s one of my favorite one’s on this album.
Lyrical Interpretation
Ay, I’m doin’ this like nobody’s listenin’
Like I’m just writin’ for myself, but, uh-um, whatever
sing like nobody is listening – I think he included this as a way to explain all of the thoughts in his brain – being naked and vulnerable
I used to ride the Blue line straight from school to work
They robbed me for my Beats by Dre’s on 79th
I was in first grade when I learned how to curse
I got friends that didn’t make it to be 29
This is a very Cleveland coded paragraph – From when he started rapping – to growing up too soon even in First Grade – and then referencing all of the loss he encountered before he was in his 30s. The number 29 is very prominent to MGK in a lot of his songs. He talks about friends dying before 29 quite frequently, and this could be because one close friend died at 28, or because a summary of his friends died in their 20s and the eldest was 28. However, it’s a repetitive notion that comes up quite frequently.
It’s all a simulation anyways
That’s the only way that I could justify these glitches in the system
I took LSD for 30 days, X-rays showed holes in my brain
I lost memories, things are different, I lost contact, sky’s the limit
Even with the ability to have a fuck, I wouldn’t give it
So much shit has happened in this man’s life that he can’t believe any of it is real. There are so many glitches he has to pretend that none of it is happening because who would write this story?
Drugs have erased memories, and in the end lost relationships of his – we know he cares about this, but because everything has been painful, he does his best to not care about things at all –
no attachment, no pain.
Everyone’s attention span too short to be specific
I made so many songs that when I’m gone, I’m never finished
Codependent when I’m isolated
I’m reminded that the voices I silenced are still coexistin’
I watched porn and was mad I did it
Went to church, put extra in the collection plate just for sinnin’
real. everyone’s attention span is too short now. News cycles are onto the next topic the next day – albums become old news after a week –
and as an artist writing over and over to find one that sticks has to be difficult.
He explains here that he’s a rolling stone, and independent until he’s isolated and without the ones he loves. But the voices still existing can be those who still really exist that he is estranged from, or it’s those voices in his head from those who have passed who he silenced with drugs and alcohol prior to getting clean. The following two lines to me speak more about regret then the actual actions. Maybe he did that – but other songs he has written say he has only been to church for funerals. So for this line I am thinking that the last two lines are a heavy metaphor for regretting voices he silenced, drugs he used to do it, and over all regret on how some things have turned out.
Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out, everybody sucks
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much
Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out (uh), everybody sucks (uh)
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much (yeah)
Isolation is a blessing and a curse. A blessing to reduce external noise, but curse because we lose touch with the outside world and sometimes, that makes us go crazy too [in his case, co-dependent as well].
The chorus of this song explains needing to know what’s going outside but not wanting to go back out in public. This song, indigo, vampire diaries and starman all discuss the need to hide from the public sphere – becoming used to the silence and isolation makes it even more stressful and anxiety ridden to go back outside in sight.
I’m goin’ home to the city
I’m goin’ rogue from the Illuminati theories
About how I’ve been winnin’
My soul was always prone to new beginnings
They told me, “Pick a genre, ” I picked ’em all
And flow with whatever moves me like I’m swimmin’
But I’m just one of many artists tryna spark a renaissance
Of speakin’ our thoughts so we can stop pretendin’
I love his discussions about what people think about him and how just because he dresses a certain way they think he worships the devil?? lol – ridiculous. like, he couldn’t possibly just be talented or into multiple genres – there has to be something else.
And i know I have compared Taylor Swift to MGK in the past – but these lines and the discussion of the public sphere really links them, and several other artists. Artists who dont want to stay in a box but challenge themselves to showcase many genres, because that’s what individual stories and songs need.
They skipped the body of work because of how I’m dressin’
At least my public crucifixion got the message spreadin’
I was gonna turn the volume down
But then I realized that I like this song more than I like you
This is my favorite line. Because it’s to the critics.
I was going to stay in my ‘genre’ – stay withholding my exploration, but then I realized I like who I am more than I like satisfying the crowds. I was going to tone myself down, but then I realized I don’t have to.
I typed a couple pages out that I know I’ll regret sendin’
So I’ll keep it short, like a haiku, okay
I kinda feel like this is to his label? who may be fearful of new directions he takes – so instead of sending a lengthy email of why he is doing what he is doing, he may have just said ‘just trust me’.
Or maybe it’s referencing this song – he could say more on the topic of being cancelled by his appearance, or switching genres, but instead he’s just going to mention it in a few verses and move on.
Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out, everybody sucks
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much
(Wake up like) yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out (uh), everybody sucks (uh)
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much
it’s been about 45 seconds since my last cigarette
(Mm-mm, mm-mm) this the only vice I got right now, bein’ sober sucks
I found a reddit thread by xxaustynxx and I found it really interesting the way the pulled ties to Mac Miller
I gave “Tell Me What’s Up” a few deep listens, because i love it. But I started picking up on some vibes that really reminded me of Mac Miller’s later work, especially Swimming and Circles.
There’s no direct shout out, but some of the lyrics and the overall tone feel like a subtle homage, or at least MGK tapping into that same emotional space Mac used to live in.
“I took LSD for thirty days…”
“X-rays showed holes in my brain / I lost memories, things are different / I lost contact, sky’s the limit…”
This part really reminded me of how Mac used to describe disconnection and mental spirals, especially on tracks like Perfecto or Come Back to Earth. The psychedelic introspection feels very much in line with Mac’s style.
“I’m so Pisces, all my answers are planetary…” This immediately gave me Mac vibes. He was always referencing astrology, spirituality, and his mental state in creative ways. Then MGK follows it up with:
“I can’t get the word ‘depression’ out my vocabulary…” That kind of openness about mental health and identity feels straight out of Faces or Swimming.
“Swimming” line coincidence? MGK says:
“I picked ‘em all / And flow with whatever moves me like I’m swimming.” Could be just a metaphor, but it’s interesting considering how Swimming was literally about going with the flow through chaos and emotional heaviness. It might be an intentional nod, especially paired with the tone of the rest of the song.
“I got friends that didn’t make it to be twenty-nine…” That line hit hard. Mac passed at 26, and while it could be referencing multiple artists (Peep, Juice, etc.), the way it’s placed in the song feels like Mac could’ve been on MGK’s mind here.
The whole track feels confessional, low-key, and personal. He even says it was all made in his living room in the outro, which adds to that raw, unfiltered feel. The sound and emotional weight remind me a lot of Circles just an artist being honest, no façade.
Yo, I’m so Pisces, all my answers are planetary
I can’t get the word “depression” out my vocabulary
I got Vikin’ blood pumpin’ through my capillaries
So it’s no secret how I defeated all my adversaries
I relate to these lines… a lot. Though I am only a Pisces Rising [tracks], it’s like no matter what you do, how hard you fight, you will always be depressed and know that feeling all too well. You’ve beaten a lot of struggles and moments of hardship, but no success will rid your internal pain.
I need a New Year’s resolution like it’s January
I used to drown in a pint of vodka and cranberry
‘Cause underwater, you can’t hear all of the commentary
And my wallet’s lighter from sendin’ my homies commissary
He needs to start over. He used to use alcohol and bigger drugs to numb the pain but he doesn’t have that any more. But without those vices he can hear more discussion about him, he can hear the dumb tabloid stories he used to drown away, and he can hear the voices he silenced through the years.
The line about sending money to his friends for commissary, can mean a few several things, but the interpretation that makes sense is food and supplies to his friends that are locked up or in need of aid because they are either in prison or in the military. So instead of spending his money on his old vices, he has moved to helping those who need help.
We keep it silent where I’m from, it’s not a lotta sharin’
And I’m not in a cell, but all my problems solitary
Therapy came and helped me lift some of this weight I’m bearin’
Double-Xs on my neck, express what I hold honorary, gang-gang
Up until his recent career he didn’t share much of his personal life, and it’s taken years of therapy and help to open this side of him. His problems are created by himself, but he is trying everyday to reduce the mental load and weight baring that he carries.
I love the last line because it stands for his fan base.
“Everyone Stands Together” (EST):
This is the primary meaning of the double “X.” It signifies a bond with his group, the EST (which stands for a variation of “Everyone Stands Together”), and his fanbase. Regardless of race, gender or religion – he is committed to creating unity.
Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out, everybody sucks
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much
(Wake up like) yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out (uh), everybody sucks (uh)
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much
If I can’t make you smile, then would you smile again?
(Uh, tell me what the fuck’s up) uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
If you can help me laugh, then help me laugh again
(Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s u-up)
Whole album made right here in my livin’ room
Yeah, I still wish we kept that line that’s like
“With the same crew, though, at dinner eatin’ hamachi crudo
My brother Rook don’t eat nothin’ but cheeseburgers”
Haha, if you know, you know, yeah
Day ones
It is true, he had to record this whole album in his living room. During the California fires his studio burnt down – so they decided to make a makeshift studio in his house to finalize this album.
Overall, this is one of my favorite songs full of vulnerability, not giving a fuck about what people are saying about him switching styles, and holding himself true to his fanbase and his supporters. He has issues created by himself that he is working on, and he is learning to attempt to lighten the weight of the past on his shoulders.
He has a lot of personal lines on this song that are things I will never truly know, but this song is very relatable for me – in ways that discuss depression, isolation, wanting to connect with others but feeling safer to be alone.
Visual Representation
200 asa kodak gold 35mm film
Yeah, uh, tell me what the fuck’s up
I don’t wanna go out, everybody sucks
Agoraphobic in this house don’t help much