Analyzing hip-hop hacktivism and automobility in Injury Reserve's (2019) “Jailbreak the Tesla” (Feat. Aminé)

This chapter analyzes the recorded track “Jailbreak the Tesla (feat. Aminé)” (2019) by the American hip-hop group Injury Reserve. A superficial reading of the track connotes the thrill of joyriding, but the busy dynamism and intricate timbral make-up of the beat afford deeper interpretations relating to automobility and technological innovation. After an introduction to the group, the chapter features analysis of the rhythm and timbre of the “Jailbreak” beat, with attention to the production of vocal timbre across the course of the track. It next considers the significance of such analysis with reference to listening contexts, the persona-environment relation, and the lyrics. Finally, the “so what” question is asked of the analysis in the chapter, concluding in a discussion of how the track implicates driving, the hacking culture of jailbreaking, and listening to hip-hop as racialized practices.