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Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in On the Come Up, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity and Individuality
Racism and Prejudice
Trauma, Poverty, and Childhood
Control, Image, and Fame
Summary
Analysis
As the beat starts, Milez gets close to Bri and starts rapping. His lines are better than what's in "Swagerific," but he raps about being a gangster and Bri knows he and Supreme live in the suburbs. Bri thinks about how to respond to this when Milez raps that he's going to "murder" Bri like someone murdered Lawless. Bri steps forward and shouts at Milez, but Pooh pulls her back and points out that the line was designed to rile her up. DJ Hype calms the crowd down—they're offended too—and then starts a beat for Bri. Bri hears the gunshots that killed her dad in her head and chokes up. Hype gives the first round to Milez and Supreme praises his son.
This event is the first indicator that in addition to dealing with the difficulties and the exhaustion of poverty in the present, Bri is also struggling to process major traumatic events from long ago. Her inability to rap during this traumatic flashback indicates that she hasn't had the opportunity to move on or heal from this loss, which would suggest that it's all still compounding and getting worse—which will later put Bri in a vulnerable position and make her susceptible to manipulation.
Themes
Bri thinks that she'd love to have more memories of Lawless than just of him being murdered. He and Jay were going out for a date night, but a minute after they left the house, Bri, Trey, and Pooh heard shots and Jay screaming. A Crown supposedly did it, as Lawless was involved with Garden Disciples. Bri tries to clear her mind as Milez starts rapping the second round. He raps about how girls love him, and Bri thinks that a good rapper would be hurling insults at her right now. This means that Milez's raps are prewritten—which isn't acceptable. When it's Bri's turn, she raps insults at Milez and the crowd goes wild. Hype plays the siren, which he only uses when he hears something amazing. She wins the round.
At this point, Bri thinks that DJ Hype is a respectable gatekeeper of good music, hence why she's so excited to get the siren for her work. Later events will make it clear that Bri's current conception of Hype is indicative of her youth and inexperience in the music world. It's also worth noting that since it is so obvious that Milez is using prewritten material, it's questionable that Hype doesn't say anything—which suggests that there's more to what's going on here than impartially refereeing a rap battle.
Themes
Milez goes first again, and though the beat is perfect for freestyling, his verses are boring. Bri plans out her verses and when it's her turn, compares Milez to "pop star" rappers like Vanilla Ice and accuses him of using prewritten lines. Again, the crowd goes crazy and the judges declare Bri the winner.
Bri's win seems to prove to her that someone who is genuine, talented, and ethical can experience success in the music world. This gives Bri the proof she needs to go on and chase her fame.
Themes
