Wagner James Au / New World Notes

For a user-created virtual world that's nearly 20 years old, it's difficult for anyone to create the first something in its category, but Zatch Ixchel has probably done just that: "MESHONME" is the first rap song inspired by Second Life that I'm aware of. And it's actually damn good, with a solid trap beat matched to Zatch's staccato rapping of uniquely clever rap lyrics that only SLers will understand:

I come thru with a lil sum suttin

You come thru with a Ruth to the function

Boy, you better poof, better move it or somethin

I'm bout to blow thru the damn roof with the dumb shit

Got a new suit with the HUD shit too

Only shed blood with a new tattoo  

They're so on point, I thought he must also rap in real life, but he tells me no.

"I choose to do it in relative privacy/anonymity, even in real life," as he puts it. "I suppose this is because I see it as a character I am playing. To put my face on something like that would feel inauthentic. In Second Life, I don't have that issue."

"MESHONME" is very much about SL culture: "I guess I was inspired by the inherent materialism of Second Life," Zach tells me, "which complements the Hip Hop genre rather well. I also thought it would be funny to watch someone try and flex that sort of bravado and wealth in the context of a virtual world."

Nailed it. As does the video, which stars his RL wife Lucie. Full lyrics below courtesy Mr. Ixchel, who's originally from New York — in case anyone wants to get an East Coast/West Coast avatar rivalry going.

MESHONME
lyrics by Zatch Ixchel
Look at this mesh on me
Look at this mesh
I got a tech, I got a vest on me
Got a check, and I got a lil mess on me
I pull up in a holy shit
Since I was a jit
I been holdin shit, on my homie shit
And I prop that brick up with a brand new blick, got a candle stick
Yeah, i got that
If it get hot bitch, you better pop back
Get the key to the box and unlock that
No transfer
No copy
No cap, one strap, two bodies
That's facts, get whacked in the lobby
Broad daylight
I'm a playwright
And the shit so bright cuz my facelight
And I pay my tier, get my place right
I come thru with a lil sum suttin
You come thru with a Ruth to the function
Boy, you better poof, better move it or somethin
I'm bout to blow thru the damn roof with the dumb shit
Got a new suit with the HUD shit too
Only shed blood with a new tattoo
Ran off on the plug, got bud too
You ain't got a chain that I can't chew through
And yo bitch IM me
like, "baby, can I get a TP?"
Like baby wanna peep a Legacy
I'ma let her see, give her D, and a plan B
You a lil imp, you a simp
I be limpin like a pimp thru the Sim
You ain't talkin Lindens, you a bitch
VEX watch cost all your prims
My Surplus cost 8 of your kids
You got a whip, but it ain't scripted
So you rezz it when you messin with it, flexin for a flick,
Waiting for my blessing, i'm legend livin
I bust big, bitch, quick
Handle my biz quick
Flippin this shit like it's bizquick
I don't give two shits, i ain't givin you shit
If i see yo blip, you gon get this clip
That's a hit
When I'm in mouselook, I don't miss
Yeah I got yall shook, dont slip
I'm massive, new residents my kids cuz
I'm classic, and ya'll ain't built like this
Move past it,
Move in mollasses,
I move way too fast, ya'll plastic
My bitch pageant, yo bitch ratchet
Imagine the fact that you ass, that's tragic
Look at this magic, look at this mess,
Hold up
I digress, bitch, look at this mesh
Look at this mesh
Look at this mesh on me

Via /SecondLife.