What You Call It

Song Meaning

Ester Dean’s “What You Call It” isn’t exactly subtle. The track throws down a gauntlet, a brazen assertion of dominance wrapped in the language of sexual and financial power. The opening lines act as a kind of warped social sorting, a command for “bum bitches” and “slut hoes” to respectively move left and right. This isn’t mere boasting; it's a declaration of war on anyone perceived as competition. The lyrics paint a picture of Dean as a hyper-sexualized, hyper-successful figure, one who takes what she wants, leaving men financially and emotionally drained. The repeated refrain, “What should we call it / When you shittin on these bitches like a toilet?” is crude, yes, but also brutally effective in its imagery. It's not just about winning; it's about complete and utter annihilation of the opposition. Beneath the surface bravado, “What You Call It” hints at a deeper anxiety. The constant need to assert dominance, to categorize and dismiss others, suggests a fragile ego propped up by external validation. The “inside job” line, where a man realizes he’s been played, speaks to a calculated manipulation, a transactional approach to relationships where power dynamics are paramount. It's less about genuine connection and more about maintaining control. The repeated question, “What should we call it?” feels almost like a challenge to the listener, a dare to define the undefinable force of Dean's persona. Ultimately, the song's meaning rests in its unflinching portrayal of female ambition and the lengths to which one might go to achieve and maintain a position of power. While some might find the language offensive or the themes distasteful, it's hard to deny the raw energy and unapologetic nature of Dean’s performance. "What You Call It" is a sonic middle finger to societal expectations, a defiant scream in a world that often tries to silence women's voices—especially when those voices are loud, proud, and dripping with unapologetic swagger.