Released: 2015
In Lloyd Banks’ skit ‘Money Is Power,’ the artist confronts the complexities of wealth and societal status. The skit serves as a reflective piece on the reality of financial influence and the inevitable presence of corruption. Banks articulates a narrative centered around the idea that money is the ultimate source of power, affecting perception and personal value.
The opening line, “Look, how am I gon’ justify corruption to you!” immediately sets a defensive yet assertive tone. Here, Banks acknowledges the pervasiveness of corruption in society. It’s almost a rhetorical admission that corruption is not just a reality but an ingrained part of societal function. He’s not looking to excuse it; rather, he’s highlighting its inevitability.
Following this, when he says, “It’s always been here and it will always be!” he’s stressing the timeless nature of this issue. Corruption and financial disparity aren’t modern problems—they’re as old as civilization itself. Banks wants the listener to realize that while we may hope for change, the systemic issues are deeply rooted and pervasive.
When Banks asserts, “Well, I’m rapping to you about is power, baby!” he shifts the focus from corruption itself to the power dynamics that it enables. This line underscores his main theme: that financial wealth is a significant power source. This isn’t just a skit about money; it’s about the influence and control it grants individuals in society.
The artist goes on to say, “I know what I am! And right or wrong…” signaling a level of self-awareness and acceptance. Here, Banks implies that his success, achieved through possibly questionable means, doesn’t require justification in a world where the ends often justify the means.
With the lines, “People look up to me because they think I am a success, I’VE GOT WHAT THEY ALWAYS WANTED, MONEY!” Banks captures the allure of wealth. Society idolizes those who appear successful, regardless of how they achieved it. This idolization isn’t about the moral path but the end result: money.
“Without it YOU’RE NOTHING!” is a bold statement highlighting society’s harsh truth. In a world driven by capital, one’s worth is often tied to their financial status. Banks drives this point home, illustrating that without money, societal value plummets.
“Money buys dignity… poverty is a crime.” This paradoxical statement is at the core of the skit’s message. The idea that money can ‘buy’ dignity speaks to the societal perception that financial status affords respect and moral value. Conversely, labeling poverty as a ‘crime’ critiques how society punishes those who lack financial means.
Banks ends with a poignant reflection: “Nobody asks you: ‘Where you got your dollar? ‘; they ask you: ‘Do you have it?'” This observation comments on the superficial nature of societal respect and value systems. It’s not about how wealth is acquired, but whether it is present, reflecting society’s often hypocritical standards.
In summary, Lloyd Banks uses this skit as a stark commentary on the role of money in society. He addresses themes of corruption, societal value, and the moral ambiguities of wealth, challenging listeners to reflect on the intrinsic values placed on money and the impact it has on our perceptions of success and worth. The skit provides a raw yet critical examination of the power dynamics tied to financial prosperity.
