The song 'Rich Nigga Shit' by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin featuring Young Thug is an opulent and bold anthem about their extravagant lifestyles. The artists rap about their wealth, luxuries, and sexual conquests as symbols of success. They flaunt designer clothes, exclusive cars, and intimate encounters with women as measures of their status. The song focuses on materialism and pleasure as ultimate goals, signaling their ascent from past struggles to opulent living.
The track starts with a stark and brash declaration of life's material focus, setting the emotional tone with 21 Savage rapping about luxurious habits and indulgences as everyday norms in his life, echoing a sense of pride and accomplishment. The atmosphere oozes confidence and an almost nonchalant demeanor towards wealth, as if expensive tastes are as natural to him as breathing. This chest-thumping parade of wealth isn't just for show; it's a core part of his identity.
As 21 Savage recounts personal steps up the economic ladder—from public transportation to high-end Rolls Royce rides—it's clear there's an emotional subtext of triumph over adversity. The luxury he now lives in stark contrast to his past is not only material but also reflective of the inner journey from survival to thriving.
Featuring Young Thug's own contribution, the vocal delivery undulates between nonchalance and zest for their riches, emphasizing not just possessions but a lifestyle. Mentioning betrayal and loyalty—a hint of emotional depth—Young Thug melds the glamour with the grit of life at the top, acknowledging the undercurrents of trust and tension that accompany financial success.
Throughout the song, there's a prevailing sense of defiance, a repudiation of past hardships, and societal expectations. The artists string together a narrative that is undeniably boastful, but there’s an underlying emotional arc recognizing the distance they've traveled from their origins, not merely in miles but in lived experiences. It's both an ode to success and a guarded reminder of the world they navigate, where wealth shields and power grants autonomy.
"Percocet got me floatin' like a butterfly, but I'll sting you like a bumblebee"
This line references Muhammad Ali's famous quote 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' but adds a modern twist by incorporating Percocet, symbolizing the numbing of pain and elevation to a status where one can still have a fearsome bite despite an outward calm.
"Keep lil' mama on her knees and her ankle lift"
This phrase describes a power dynamic and a lavish lifestyle where partners are subservient to the artist's wealth and influence, showcasing dominance as a part of his life of luxury.
"Savage got a whole lotta hits, dawg. I be droppin' bombs like Baghdad"
21 Savage compares the impact and frequency of his successful songs to the literal dropping of bombs, referencing the conflict in Baghdad while highlighting his own aggressive ascendancy in the music industry.
"Used to ride MARTA, now a nigga gettin' head in the Cullinan"
Demonstrating his rags-to-riches story, 21 Savage contrasts his humbler beginnings using public transportation with his current, opulent situation engaging in sexual acts inside a Rolls Royce Cullinan, a symbol of his success.