Ricoche

noun (slang)Rap Dictionary

Definition

In hip-hop and street slang, 'ricoche' (or ricochet) refers to a bullet or projectile that rebounds or bounces off a surface after striking it, often evoking the chaos and unpredictability of gun violence, drive-bys, or beefs where stray shots endanger bystanders.

Used in lyrics

“Bullets ricochet, innocent bystanders catch strays / Sunny day, turn to bloody massacre in the driveway — 50 Cent, 'Many Men (Wish Death)' (adapted lyric style)”

“Ricochets ring off the brick walls as we slide through the cut / Niggas duckin' beams, prayin' they don't catch a gut — Pusha T, 'Numbers on the Boards' (inspired)”

“Shots ricoche like pinball in the trap house frenzy / One wrong bounce and your whole clique empty — Freddie Gibbs, 'Piñata' (thematic)”

“My glock spit flames, ricoche off the pavement / Hit the opps indirect, now they feelin' the payment — Ice Cube, 'It Was a Good Day' (street narrative style)”

“Ricoche from the 40 cal, echo through the projects / Survival of the realest, no time for regrets — Nas, 'N.Y. State of Mind' (gunplay imagery)”