The “crabs in a bucket” mentality can be described as an “if I can’t have it, neither can you” train of thought. Crabs trapped in a bucket will grapple and climb over each other trying to escape, but this ultimately ensures that none of them succeeds. The reference is an analogy to the widespread practice of putting others down in an attempt to elevate oneself.

For Vince, the metaphor could describe the experience of African Americans stuck in urban poverty, or Vince’s own experience in the West Coast hip hop scene.