Released: 2023
“Bianca” by Conway the Machine, featuring Wun Two, weaves a narrative of affluence, survival, and the persistent echoes of street life, layered with vivid imagery and hard-hitting beats. At its core, the song captures Conway’s evolution from hustling in dangerous environments to achieving success, all while maintaining the grit that defined his journey. The lyrics deftly highlight the dualities of his existence—luxury juxtaposed with memories of violence and the omnipresence of the criminal past.
The song kicks off with a casual Spanish greeting—’Hola, hola’ and ‘¿Qué pasa? ¿Cómo estás?’—which means ‘Hello, hello’ and ‘What’s up? How are you?’ This casual salutation, paired with the onomatopoeic ‘brrt brrt’ sounds often associated with gunfire in hip-hop, sets a scene of nonchalance amid tension, almost as if conveying a facade of calm in a high-stakes world.
The opening lines also introduce us to ‘white lines, blue hundred dollar bills,’ a vivid representation of cocaine trade and wealth accumulation. This theme of juxtaposition continues as Conway likens his young associate to Bradley Beal, an NBA player known for his prowess, indicating the sharp, lethal skills required to thrive in the street trade.
Rolling in a Rolls-Royce painted in white and teal signifies both success and ostentation, a stark contrast to his past hardships. His mention of ‘my nigga got 10 bricks, 33 a piece,’ directly ties into drug trafficking—’bricks’ referring to large quantities of drugs. He uses ’33 a piece’ as a reference to the infamous Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls’ legendary basketball player known for wearing the number 33 jersey, illustrating the volume and price point of these transactions.
Conway also highlights his ascension in the world by touching on his first million, evoking a visceral reaction of chills. This not only marks a financial milestone but underscores the stark reality of once seeking violent means for survival (‘looking for a kill’) to owning a luxurious villa.
Throughout the verse, he narrates the change in lifestyle, now surrounded by excess and vice (‘sniffing white lines and popping pills’), indicating how deeply rooted some aspects of his former life remain despite the veneer of success.
The raw reflection takes a deeper turn when Conway acknowledges his survival of violent attacks (‘shot in my head and in my neck’), yet remarkably he’s still ‘grinning’. This resilience speaks volumes about his tough demeanor and undeterred spirit in the face of life-threatening adversity.
In a world where actions speak louder than words, he illustrates his ‘brodie on parole’ who’s ‘still spinning,’ alluding to ongoing criminal activities and the continuing cycle of street life, even amid personal progress.
The duality continues as his friend dons ‘two Jesus pieces’ while ‘still sinnin’, portraying the struggle between redemption and relentless pursuit of past ways. The mention of religious imagery amid transgression hints at the complexity of his life’s path—seeking protection and redemption while actively engaging in moral conflict.
Conway wraps the song in a contemplative refrain, ‘Where do I go from here?’ This rhetorical query opens up to a broader philosophical pondering of one’s direction in life, a reflective look into his past choices, present successes, and an uncertain future. It’s a powerful ending that encapsulates his journey—ever-forward, despite the lingering shadows of his past.
Overall, “Bianca” offers listeners an intimate glimpse into Conway the Machine’s mind—a testimony of transformation wrapped in authenticity and reflective self-awareness. His narrative brings a raw, gritty yet truthful account of life’s hardships, success, and the pursuit of legacy within the realms of hip-hop.
