Released: 2018 • Features: 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj
Coming straight from the culture-rich streets, “BIG BANK,” by YG featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Nicki Minaj, is a unapologetic anthem celebrating financial prosperity, the power of self-reliance, and the artist’s rise from humble beginnings. The core theme interwoven throughout the song is money – having it, spending it, and contrasting the artist’s current wealth to their previous struggles, as embodied in the repeated phrase, “Big bank take lil’ bank,” asserting wealth’s power to dominate.
The first verse, rapped by YG, sets the tone with brash boasts about his luxurious lifestyle and earning potential – he’s making enough to purchase high-end vehicles like a Bentley or a Range Rover. Lines like “I got white-folks money that I won’t blow / And if you ask why, ’cause the white folks don’t,” suggest that YG is not just about accumulating wealth, but also about maintaining it intelligently, breaking down racial stereotypes about money management in the process.
2 Chainz in the second verse reinforces this celebration of wealth and victory over poverty. His reference to “sold dope, I had cornrows” speaks directly to his past in the trap game, a background he has left firmly behind as he enjoys success in the music industry today. The remark about looking for a “glove with the sparkle on it” is a nod to Michael Jackson, suggesting that like the King of Pop, 2 Chainz is a standout performer in his field.
Big Sean delivers the third verse with a conscious focus on his transformative journey. Lines like “B.I.G., bitch everything zoomed in” and “I’m a first-generation millionaire” highlight his achievement, defying societal odds. His clever play “I turn my W’s to M’s” is more than a word game, it’s a proclamation of turning Wins to Millions, emphasizing his transition from having nothing to huge wealth.
Nicki Minaj rounds out the song with her verse, showcasing her Queen-of-the-hip-hop status. Her diamond chains and designer brands herald her financial success, while lines like “I lead the pack so my back’s to them” are declarative statements about her leading position in the music industry. Her mention of meeting Slim Shady (Eminem) and making “bum bitches mad again” demonstrate her networking prowess and ability to incite envy, completing this multi-artist testament to triumph, wealth, and status.
The repeated hook “Big bank take lil’ bank, bank” fortifies the song’s central message. It is a metaphorical way of saying that financial power gives you dominance and influence. While some might view it as merely a boastful catchphrase, it underpins a deeper message about the power dynamics in society and the music industry, and the strategic moves made to stand out.
In conclusion, the song does more than simply flaunt their success and lavish lifestyles— it highlights their struggle, resilience, individual journeys, and the sheer will power that has gotten them to where they are today. The ‘big bank’ they now own is not just about the paper stacks, but the cultural capital, the influence, and the respect that comes along.
