The 7 Most Savage Easter Eggs In JoJo Siwa’s "Raspy" Lyrics: A Full Breakdown

JoJo Siwa's "Raspy" is not just a song; it is a meticulously crafted, self-aware pop-culture missile fired directly at her critics. Released in the wake of her polarizing "Bette Davis Eyes" cover and the viral conversation about her changing vocal style, the track, which debuted in late 2025, serves as the ultimate reclamation of her narrative. This deep dive will dissect every major reference, meme, and shocking lyrical moment in "Raspy," proving that Siwa is fully in control of her new, chaotic pop star persona and is using her own history as lyrical ammunition. The single "Raspy" is a pivotal moment in the "JoJo Siwa 3.0" era, following the intense focus on her controversial "Karma" single and her subsequent shift toward a more mature, androgynous aesthetic. It is a bold, almost rap-like track where she owns the very criticism—her "raspy voice"—that critics have used to mock her. The lyrics are a mosaic of her entire career, from her childhood on *Dance Moms* to her most viral 2024–2025 moments, providing an unprecedented level of topical authority and self-referential humor.

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa: A Quick Biography and Career Profile

Joelle Joanie "JoJo" Siwa, born on May 19, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska, has undergone one of the most dramatic celebrity transformations of the decade. Her career trajectory is a masterclass in media reinvention, moving from a reality TV dancer to a multi-million dollar brand and, most recently, a provocative pop artist.

• Full Name: Joelle Joanie Siwa
• Born: May 19, 2003 (Age 22 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
• Early Career: Gained initial fame on *Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition* (2013) and subsequently on *Dance Moms* (2015–2016).
• The Bow Era (2016–2023): Launched her signature brand, characterized by oversized bows, bright colors, and family-friendly music like "Boomerang" and "Kid in a Candy Store." This era established her as a global merchandising and YouTube sensation.
• The Transformation (2024–2025): Publicly shifted her image, dropping the bow, embracing a more "gay pop" persona, and releasing the controversial single "Karma" and the *Guilty Pleasure* extended play (EP).
• The "Raspy" Era: Following the viral reaction to her "Bette Davis Eyes" cover—where critics fixated on her deeper, "raspy" vocal tone—Siwa released "Raspy," a track directly addressing the criticism and cementing her new, unapologetic artistic direction.

The Controversy That Spawned a Hit: Why the "Raspy" Voice Went Viral

The entire premise of the song "Raspy" stems from a specific moment of intense viral scrutiny in 2025. After years of a high-pitched, clean vocal style, JoJo Siwa released a cover of Kim Carnes' 1981 classic, "Bette Davis Eyes." The internet immediately seized upon her noticeably deeper, more gravelly, or "raspy" voice. This was a stark contrast to her previous sound and fueled speculation: Was it a deliberate stylistic choice? Was it due to vocal strain? Or was it simply her voice naturally maturing? The public debate quickly turned into a meme, with countless videos and social media posts highlighting the "raspy" quality. Instead of ignoring the noise, Siwa did what any expert media personality would: she turned the insult into a brand. The song "Raspy" is the sound of an artist weaponizing their own criticism. The opening lines immediately address the controversy: "Eyes like Bette Davis / Hear my voice and you know what my name is." She is confirming that the viral moment was intentional, or at least, that she is powerful enough to own it and profit from it. The track reclaims the term "raspy" as a badge of honor, symbolizing her transition from a children's entertainer to a boundary-pushing adult pop star.

7 Shocking Easter Eggs and Meme References in "Raspy"

The genius of "Raspy" lies in its dense lyrical tapestry, which contains a minimum of seven major references to JoJo Siwa’s past controversies and memeable moments. These self-aware lyrical bombs are what make the track a truly unique piece of pop commentary.

1. The "Bette Davis Eyes" Opening

The very first line, "Eyes like Bette Davis," is a direct, unapologetic nod to the cover that started the entire "raspy" conversation. By referencing the song, Siwa acknowledges the viral moment and immediately frames the track as a response to the backlash. This is the foundation of the song's entire concept: an artist who knows exactly what you're talking about and is ready to talk back.

2. The Iconic Abby Lee Miller Soundbite

Perhaps the most shocking inclusion is the uncredited voice note of her former *Dance Moms* coach, Abby Lee Miller. In the song, a voice that sounds distinctly like Miller is heard delivering a scathing, iconic line from the reality show's past: "JoJo! Have you learned nothing?!" This inclusion is a brilliant piece of meta-commentary, suggesting that despite all the coaching and criticism, Siwa is still doing things her own way, and perhaps even shading her former mentor by including the voice note in a "diss track" format.

3. The "Dream Guest" Interview Meme

A key moment in 2024 was a viral interview where Siwa was asked who her "dream guest" would be. Her answer, or more accurately, the way she delivered it, became an instant meme. The "Raspy" lyrics joke about this viral moment, showing that Siwa is actively tracking her own meme history. This level of self-awareness is rare in mainstream pop music and instantly connects with the Gen Z audience.

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4. The "Traitor" Car Cover Reference

Siwa had a viral moment where she sang Olivia Rodrigo's hit song "Traitor" while driving in her car. This cover, like the "Bette Davis Eyes" track, also drew attention to her changing voice. "Raspy" makes a subtle, yet clear, reference to this moment, grouping it with her other vocal controversies. It’s a way of saying, "Yes, I sing in my car, and yes, I know you talk about my voice when I do it."

5. The "Gay Pop" Identity Claim

The track implicitly and explicitly reinforces Siwa's new "gay pop" artist identity. While not a specific meme, the aggressive, hip-hop-influenced delivery and the overall theme of reclaiming power align with her post-2024 persona, which she has openly described as "gay pop." She is shedding the last remnants of her Nickelodeon image to fully embrace a darker, edgier, and more queer-focused artistic direction.

6. A Nod to Her Signature Bows and Old Look

While the new look is bow-less, the song contains lyrics that subtly reference her past, acknowledging the "old JoJo" before the big transformation. This inclusion is vital for topical authority, as it bridges her two distinct eras, allowing her to appeal to her original fanbase while courting her new, adult audience. She’s essentially saying, "I remember where I came from, but I'm not going back."

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7. The Vocal Evolution as a Lyrical Theme

The most important entity in the entire song is the word "raspy" itself. Siwa dedicates the song to the very quality critics lampooned. By making her vocal texture the central theme, she transforms it from a perceived flaw into a defining artistic characteristic. This is the ultimate clapback: she didn't just ignore the criticism; she built a hit single around it, turning the viral noise into massive commercial success.

The Future of JoJo Siwa’s Vocal Transformation

The release of "Raspy" confirms that JoJo Siwa’s vocal evolution is not an accident but a calculated artistic choice. Her voice, which has developed a deeper, more textured quality over time, is now a key part of her brand. This shift allows her to explore more mature themes and genres, moving away from the bubblegum pop of her youth toward a more complex, genre-blending style that incorporates elements of pop, hip-hop, and rock. Ultimately, the "raspy JoJo Siwa lyrics" of this new single are a masterclass in media manipulation and self-awareness. She is an artist who understands the modern media landscape, where controversy and memes are currency. By giving her critics exactly what they talked about, she controls the narrative, ensures her continued relevance, and proves that her new era is not just about a new look, but a complete, calculated, and wildly successful artistic overhaul.