Released: 2019
“Panini” by Lil Nas X delves into the complex dynamics of fame experienced by the artist and lays bare the double-edged sword of success. The song captures the struggle of maintaining relationships and maneuvering through criticisms in the fast-paced, ever-demanding world of the music industry.
When Nas croons, “Ayy, Panini, don’t you be a meanie/ Thought you wanted me to go up/ Why you tryna keep me teeny?” he’s personifying his fans as Panini, a character from a cartoon called Chowder. In this context, Panini represents fans who loved Nas X when he was an underdog but turned fickle once he gained fame, hence the phrase “tryna keep me teeny.”
The following lines, “It’s a dream, he wished it on a genie/ I got fans finally, ain’t you wanting them to see me?” encapsulate Nas’ shock at the quick change of loyalty from fans after he achieved mainstream success. It’s like he’s questioning his fans, “Didn’t you want to see me win?”
Moving on, the words, “I thought you want this for my life, for my life/ Said you wanted to see me thrive, you lied,” express Lil Nas X’s disillusionment with his newfound fame and the negativity it has attracted, a stark contrast to the support and love he was promised initially.
As we approach the end, “Now when it’s all done, I get the upper hand/ I need a big Benz, not another fan/ But I still want you as a fan,” Nas X reminds us of his ambition. He’s not willing to forsake his dreams for temporary approval – whether that’s chasing financial success (“I need a big Benz”) or retaining his fanbase (“But I still want you as a fan”).
In essence, “Panini” is Lil Nas X’s exploration of the downside of fame – the fickleness of fans and how success can feel isolating at times. With this track, he’s putting the spotlight on what it feels like to navigate the music industry’s high-pressure environment.
