Bitch better quit that, quit that chit chat
If you strapped nigga, dare you ta, dare you ta
Brrrrrrrrrrrr-brrrp-brrrp-brrrp
Just let me pop my shit, let me hit that weed
And sip that – aye niggas?

If X-Men’s Storm could turn dark and strike down on the music industry, she’s just done it – in the form of Azealia Banks’ latest visual. The song and video for her dark new single “Yung Rapunxel” (often stylized as #yungrapunxel) finally made its controversial release earlier this week. Since both entities require a vast amount of engagement to truly understand the “bigger” picture, the analysis is two-fold:

The song: Dubbed by Azealia as being able to expand your youth (“yung”) and rebelliousness through channeling America’s favorite fairytale character (“rapunxel”), the Lil’ Internet-produced single is her route to freedom. She carefully raps about the things that appear to bring her career down while acknowledging her uniqueness in the rap game. When heard through the Banks-recommended Beats By Dre headphones, the song really comes to life.

The video: First off, Azealia is so intellectual with her music presentation and wordplay that it’s beyond most people – a primary reason why her fans love her so much. She’s gonna use the things that make people talk the most, flip it in the most obscure way, and make the argument even funnier. Banks is seen in various dark backdrops in high fashion garments while destroying post-apocalyptic New York City with her youthfulness – not giving a fuck every step of the way. The supposed illuminati issue is so prevalent in the “Yung Rapunxel” clip that it works in her favor as a parody rather than an allegory. If all you take from Azealia’s visual is “illuminati”, then you’re only seeing the surface.

For me, people use “illuminati” as a cover word to lump all the ideas that people aren’t able to comprehend. Artists like Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea make videos for eye candy value only (read: ass-ets), but you don’t take them or their pitiful raps seriously.  Rather, these artists spend their time on a “craft” that’s only glorified because of their looks and appeal to a very small, sheltered demographic (hip hop). Symbolism and cross-genre music together is a powerful entity, and Azealia has brought a newfound creativity to the industry with the “Yung Rapunxel” video.

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Five best #highfashion parts of “Yung Rapunxel”

5. Donna Karan’s vintage Opening Ceremony pants: These pants are so amazing on Banks that I’m confident no one else could pull them off…or even try.



4. The futuristic plastic jumpsuit and goggles: Azealia takes the post-apocalyptic world to new heights with a trendy plastic (think ‘Breaking Bad’) coat and bright goggles.

3. Joker nails: Serving as the only preview of the video before its release, these nails are game-changing for the Harlemite.

2. Parachute pants!: Not many women (or people in general) can pull off the 80’s parachute pants, but AB does it well and even pairs it with a risque fur top.

1. Homage to Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody” video: The darkness, the overbearing birds, and the cropped tops with baggy pants all scream Aaliyah, as Azealia does it tastefully and pays respect to a true legend.

Watch Azealia’s “Yung Rapunxel” below: