The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Party People" by the artist "Vince Staples"

In his song "Party People," Vince Staples paints a complex portrait of a man torn between the desire to have fun and the harsh reality that surrounds him.

On the one hand, he yearns for carefree joy, dancing, and parties, which is reflected in the chorus "Party people, yeah! Party people, I like to watch you dance." He seeks positive emotions, "positive vibes," to distract himself from dark thoughts.

On the other hand, he's haunted by past traumas, pain, and a sense of hopelessness. He mentions death, destruction, and violence ("I see black cats on the daily news / In handcuffs and in blues"). The protagonist struggles with suicidal thoughts ("Went off the rails, might as well end it all"), hiding his pain behind a mask of bravado and wealth.

He can't ignore the problems of the world around him, which prevents him from fully immersing himself in the atmosphere of fun. "How you 'posed to have a good time / When I see nothin' but death and destruction?", he asks.

The lyrics present an internal conflict: the thirst for joy collides with the burden of the past. Vince Staples doesn't provide a clear answer on how to find a balance between these two extremes, leaving the listener to ponder this question.