Music has a powerful force that transcends boundaries and bonds people. M.E.N. is a song that does just that; it brings together a Chicago-based Singer-Songwriter-Rapper, Tink, and the famous producer of "Worst Behavior" and "Money Trees," DJ Dahi. The duo collaborated as a part of Adidas Originals' nuanced campaign "Songs From Scratch" to bring fans an all-new acoustic experience. M.E.N. is a standout track that showcases Tink's incredible vocal range and lyricism and DJ Dahi's phenomenal production skills.
About M.E.N.
Tink's "M.E.N." is a song that evokes nostalgia and reminiscence, and it is all about love and its ups and downs in the era of technology and social media. Tink is known for her lyrical prowess and the ability to blend various musical genres to create her unique sound. Her bold and unapologetic lyrics are what make "M.E.N." so relatable and appealing to people across diverse ages and cultures.
The song starts with a smooth piano riff, evocative of the 90s, with the first lines challenging society's stereotyped gender roles. Tink boasts of her independence, refusing to be put down or boxed in by sexist societal norms of how a woman should act or conduct herself. Her fiery and uncompromising spirit is striking in the lines where she says, "I'm a boss in a f*cking dress, giving orders to my lady crew."/p>
As M.E.N. progresses, Tink's vocals mutate from the smooth, sultry tunes to higher pitches, adding an extra layer of emotion to the track. Here, she highlights the role technology plays in modern relationships. "Too much texting, too much calling, too much FaceTiming," she sings, referring to the various ways people in today's society interact. She admits that the blessings that come with easy communication can be a curse. Easy-to-send texts, emojis, and messages can cause miscommunication, which can lead to break-ups.
As the song moves towards the hook, DJ Dahi's production takes a new turn, adding more beat and an electric guitar riff. He creates an instrumental that effortlessly blends hip-hop, Electronic Dance Music (EDM), and R&B, which makes the song a masterpiece. Tink's strong voice sings out the hook with such soul and conviction that you cannot help but keep replaying it.
The second verse of M.E.N. is arguably the most powerful. It speaks to the experiences of modern-day young lovers. In this verse, Tink talks about how people fall in love, not with people, but with ideas and expectations that come with being in love. The way people force themselves into trying to live up to pre-conceived notions of what a relationship is supposed to be eventually leads to a breakup. Although the lyrics are bold and unapologetic, it is the way Tink delivers them that leaves the most significant impact on the listener.
As the song comes to a close, Tink brings back the smooth vocals of the introduction, asking if love is worth it before Dj Dahi wraps it up with an EDM-inspired instrumental that rides out until the end.
M.E.N. is a song that resonates with many. It speaks of love and how it has evolved over the years. It is a story about gender equality, social media, and how technology affects modern love, all in one. Tink and DJ Dahi have delivered an innovative and thought-provoking work that breaks the mold of traditional music and opens up broader conversations about the world around us.