r/SantanDave
34
Posted by2 years ago
QUESTION
I love this song to bits but I don’t really understand the context behind the line
4 comments
98% Upvoted
level 1
· 2 yr. ago
Dave’s Brother attempted to take his own life while he was in prison. That’s why he was at the hospital. In the song Dave says “I see my older brother so close to the edge and that there put a whole in my chest.” That line basically confirms it
41
level 2
Op · 2 yr. ago
Thank you bro. I can finally die in peace now
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r/SantanDave
Place to discuss anything related to UK rapper Santan Dave
Created Jun 2, 2017
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Dave’s second single post-WAAITT shows his growth while holding firm to traditions he is still building out
Continuity has been a strong theme in Dave’s career, this was clear from his early work on Six Paths — his first EP. This continuity has manifested itself in many up until this point. From the continuity in narrative on first two studio albums — a big part of their appeal — to the continuity in style and theme he has carried over from older songs to some of his more recent work. “My 24th Birthday” embodies this continuity by progressing a story he began 5 years on Game Over and showcasing a diverse skillset which is reaching ever more impressive levels.
“I spent my twenty-fourth birthday with the people I love”
From the beginning of the song, Dave shows the contrast between his current circumstance — a calm, joyful environment surrounded by family and loved ones — and where he has come from to reach this point. More specifically, his situation half a decade ago on his 19th birthday. Dave’s final teenage year began on a tumultuous note. With his brother in a hospital and his mother in distress, Dave used “My 19th birthday” to capture the picture of a young man grappling with a variety of difficulties while simultaneously coming to terms with his newfound success and all that it came along with.
This contrast is important to understand as it is a constant theme throughout the song, not as a solitary idea but as a tool to enhance the growth he has undergone over the past half-decade. This growth is both objective — a couple of number one albums, a couple of chart-topping singles and multiple individual awards — and subjective — personal growth and greater maturity. However, “My 24th Birthday” is not just a moment for Dave to appreciate his journey, it is also a point to display his incredible skill of crafting music that is both incredibly personal and also touches on a wide range of complex topics.
Thematically, “My 24th Birthday” tackles topics that will be familiar to Dave’s core audience. Across about 6 and a half minutes, the Brixton-born rapper explores issues of wealth, fame and friendships as well as the government, relationships and faith. The choice of subject matter is not the impressive part; the variety is, and on this track, he juggles them all superbly. Gliding nimbly over the whirring and humming instrumental he fits references to his girl problems in between ruminations about commitment, fatherhood and the double-edged sword of amassing wealth. He is no stranger to taking on difficult questions head-on (see: “Black” and “Question Time”). He has the skill to create individual, honest thoughts on issues and the delicate touch to convey them in ways that hit right at the heart of the topic, with no wasted lyrics. However, on songs such as this one the talent shines through in his ability to touch on multiple points with enough depth to give them proper substance without spending whole verses on them. A truly remarkable effort.
Sonically, the track is not a great departure from Dave’s usual style. The beat is anchored by a smooth piano riff that is as much a calling card for the rapper as anything else about his music. Apart from the fact that he has a deeply personal relationship with the instrument — the piano being the first instrument he learned to play — his commitment to this sound means he hardly ever has to fight over loud, cumbersome beats to put his message across. His lyricism and the stories he tells are his strengths and even though it would be great to see more experimentation on the instrumental side of things, these unencumbered canvasses are perfect for the narrative he paints on his tracks.
“Life gave me lemons, I gave you a branzino, and I seasoned it”
Dave gives listeners a usual dose of punchy lines and double entendres, the trademark flair and flavour he brings to tracks is very much apparent on this one as well. This year saw Dave notch his second number one album with We’re All Alone In This Together as well as his first solo number one hit with “Starlight” a funky song which excels on a Sinatra sample. The rapper has already produced such an impressive catalogue that it is easy to forget how young he is. “My 24th Birthday” reminds us of that fact as well as showing the world that he is still growing and that growth is not stopping anytime soon.