By Davina Howatson

Brat summer took the world by storm.

The green logo was everywhere, the TikTok videos followed, and even Kamala Harris was proclaimed to be Brat. It has become a global phenomenon, with Brat even being awarded the word of the year.

But what does being Brat even mean? How do you be Brat?

Charli XCX’s Brat album took the world by storm (Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers)

Brat is defined by being bold, defiant, and rebellious. With Charli XCX’s statements of partying, what it means to be a girl, thoughts of doubts, self-esteem, and the copious amount of drug references to the extent where one song is entirely based around cocaine use.

The lyrics of 365 are self-explanatory.

“Should we do a little key?

Should we have a little line?”

It can’t be denied that what people listen to influences them because it isn’t just some words, it’s become a culture in today’s society. Everything has become an image. What you wear, what you listen to, what you watch, and everything is about trying to embody the vibe. When someone finds themselves in the public eye, they inevitably find themselves being put on a pedestal and being treated as an “influencer,” meaning that what they say matters because people are listening.

Unfortunately, with that, it’s safe to say that cocaine is having its own moment. Does the normalisation of drug use in the music scene ebb its way into normal life?

Maybe if the song was genuinely around her struggles with addiction, the dangers of drugs, and the effect that it can have, it would’ve had more depth. However, it’s a song that essentially states that cocaine use is cool and that you’re a party girl if you like and take it.

Charli XCX performing this year (Christopher Polk)

The United Kingdom has the second highest rate of cocaine use in the world, with one in 40 adults taking the class A drug. Deaths due to drug misuse are at the highest level in 30 years, with a 30% rise in deaths involving cocaine.

Drug use is a huge problem in society with many young people finding that it’s something to do because everyone else is doing it. It’s something you do to bring yourself down when drinking. It’s something you do to make the concert better. It makes the night out feel better.

Charli XCX was told by the British Advertising Association that she couldn’t promote her tour with a small, clear, plastic, bag as it was obvious what she was emphasising with that image. While she isn’t responsible for people taking drugs – that is a decision made by yourself – it can definitely be claimed that she is promoting it or at least not discouraging it.

It isn’t just Charli XCX though.

By Manuel Breva Colmeiro via Getty Images

There has been a link between drug use and the music scene for decades, essentially from since music could be bought. With constant references littering the lyrics of songs, and drugs even being included in music videos, it’s no surprise that listeners get drawn into that world and even want to imitate the people that they love without thinking of the risks.

Studies carried out by AddictionCenter have found that adolescent listeners are more likely to abuse drugs after hearing it in music, and the glorification of drug use makes it seem more acceptable to young people, and more normalised, which is the key issue.

When something’s normalised, it’s inevitably more dangerous.

365, party girl?