View ArtistStory Behind the Song
Released on December 15, 2017, "Zipper" arrived as a single from Brockhampton's third studio album, *Saturation III*. The track's instrumental backbone draws from a sample of "Cha Cha Cha!" by Optigan, layered beneath a dusty western piano riff that gives the song an unexpectedly rugged character. That opening instrumental, alongside Joba's first verse, drew comparisons to Eminem's early catalog — a stylistic echo embedded within a track that otherwise pushes in wildly different directions. Kevin Abstract handles chorus duties, while Matt Champion delivers his verses in what has been described as a "sleepy flow," and other members manipulate their vocals through Auto-Tune to create disorienting textural layers. The track also contains a shoutout to music critic Anthony Fantano. Critical reception proved divided: Will Rosebury of *Clash* invoked Stankonia-era OutKast to capture its euphoric bounce, while Veronica Irwin of *The Quietus* dismissed it as a "tacky and unwanted German polka."
Lyrics
[Verse 1: Joba] Pretty sure I'm maniacal, but what do I know? I don't know, all I know is what I see through my monocle That and the telescope, keep one lens on the money flow The other's gold and complemental trusty, well, well I'm rolling down hills in a suit through the mud Burn my dress shoes in a fire with the wood Sit back and relax with the fumes of Everything I hate in the world Play Mozart, smoke my cigar on My estate, keep the cars parked on the front lawn Neighbors hate, place duct tape underneath their tires And I wait [Verse 2: Dom McLennon] Sunsets to blood moon horizons Left brain and right brain divided Set frames and watch plays inside them In the mountains now's where you'll find him I smell a breeze in the morning I feel your presence, it's warming I paid attention to warnings But we were too caught up in transforming [Chorus: Kevin Abstract] Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to [Verse 3: Matt Champion] Lucky days and burnin' a four-cyl' Your boy is dusty like brush off a fossil Hear that shit urk like the noise of a possum Bitch, I'm a king, I was born in a castle Built like a boxer, I'm ready to tussle Fuck on my baby, I'm ready to bust one Come fuck with me and my dogs Hate on my ass like in-laws, uh That boy stay light like a cheerleader, uh She want me filled like a two-liter, uh Eat it up, then watch it ricochet off Then I skrrt off on that Michelin, aw They don't got nothing on me 'til I pop They don't got nothing on me, call the cops I hit that road like a Heisman, boy, run it back Look at that boy hit that running man [Verse 4: Merlyn Wood] Shout out to South Central, San Marcos I got addicted to soft-shell tacos Got down to pennies and ramen noodles Now I see how hunger make a shooter Stamina, stamina I used to be holding the camera Head hit the glass, dog, your window up Fans praying to me like my handle Cortana We like Wu-Tang, but I feel like Santana She twerkin' just like she Hannah Montana Head was clean, Tony Fantano Made her my wife-uh She can't kick it, she so Bella Confused erection Bad hoes know name brands, they brainless [Chorus: Kevin Abstract] Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to Ghetto and he flashy, ooh, them boys stay nasty Floating like Aladdin, them the ones you talkin' to
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Meaning of "ZIPPER" by BROCKHAMPTON
ZIPPER" explodes with a chaotic, boastful energy, painting a picture of defiant self-assertion. The lyrics immediately establish a world where luxury clashes with raw street grit. It's a celebration of contradictions, where the "ghetto and flashy" coexist unapologetically. This track is a direct challenge to expectations. The central tension in these lyrics stems from a deliberate embrace of paradox.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Jabari Manwa
- Romil Hemnani
- Merlyn Wood
- Dom McLennon
- Matt Champion
- Kevin Abstract
- Joba