Released: 2025
“Money Feen” by Smiley featuring Icewear Vezzo is a track drenched in the opulent, gritty realities of street life, wealth, and survival. The song boasts about affluence while simultaneously highlighting the constant threat of danger that looms in the background. Its verses paint a picture of the fine line between making it big and the potential downfall, with diamonds and weapons acting as recurring motifs symbolizing status and power.
The hook of the song—”Take some, take some / Go ahead, I dare you take some”—serves as a provocative taunt to those who might try to steal or take what isn’t theirs. Smiley dares others to try their luck against him, hinting at the dangers of such an action. With “Thirty on me, boy, but it only takes one / If you tryna see tomorrow, better duck nigga,” there’s a clear message of the lethality that Smiley carries with him; it’s a not-so-subtle nod to a 30-round magazine in his firearm, emphasizing that one shot is all it takes.
The opening verse by Smiley delves into the paradox of how wealth and material items like diamonds can ostensibly make a person more attractive or desirable. The lyrics, “I heard they say diamonds make you handsome / So I bought some,” wittily explore this notion. However, beneath this, there’s an acknowledgment of violence, indicated by “Shoutout B ’cause he gave my first handgun.” The acquisition of a gun alongside the purchase of diamonds points to a lifestyle where survival is just as critical as success.
Continuing with references to his come-up, Smiley reflects on moments in his life, such as making his first “anthem” while being involved in the trap—an allusion to a drug-selling environment. “My first time I made it rain was in Atlanta”—he nostalgically looks back at his early indulgences in a city synonymous with wealth and partying. By keeping the “drake,” which could reference a Drako, a type of firearm, he again highlights a commitment to staying protected.
Smiley’s lyric “Ask the feens how I pull up like I’m Santa” cleverly uses wordplay to portray how he delivers his goods to addicts with efficiency and reliability, akin to Santa Claus delivering gifts. “Make a white bitch blush, call her Canada” plays on cultural stereotypes, contrasting harsh street realities with an unexpected comedic twist.
Icewear Vezzo steps in with a heavier focus on financial prowess and the lifestyle it brings. “Yeah, I’m talking heavy load, I got heavy pros” shows an appreciation of the riches he’s acquired. Here, “pros” likely refers to proceeds, underscoring his profitable dealings. The lines “Slam the yayo just like Chevy doors” create vivid imagery linking the weight of cocaine to the heavy, slamming sound of a car door—an auditory metaphor for power and force.
As Icewear Vezzo elaborates on his lavish life, “All my jewelry dancin’, heavy water like the levee broke” presents a potent visual. This metaphor equates the sparkle and gleam of his jewelry to the unstoppable flood of water—a representation of his uncontainable success. This extravagance stands against a dislike for disloyal individuals: “Don’t like pussy nigga, I hate rats and I hate petty hoes.” Vezzo makes clear distinctions between wealth and character, where material gain cannot compensate for betrayal or pettiness.
Vezzo critiques “broke boys,” stressing the necessity of making moves to accumulate wealth, which he depicts as essential to upgrading one’s social standing—”Big boss and a real stepper, get your rank up.” This calls attention to social hierarchy within the streets, where status is as valuable as money. His casual mention of luxury—”I don’t need no roof, can see the stars, that’s how the raife come”—reiterates a lifestyle so privileged that basic things, like a car roof, are expendable.
With both artists collaborating, “Money Feen” acts as a narrative and a testament to the luxurious yet hazardous nature of their worlds. The “Take some, take some” repetition functions both as a hook and a thematic statement of the challenges that come with living in excess. It’s as if they’re saying wealth isn’t just about having money—it’s about what you’re willing to do to protect it.
The song is not merely about showing off material success but also highlighting the price one has to pay to keep it. From obtaining their first firearms to making deals that increase their net worth, Smiley and Icewear Vezzo draw a detailed picture of how they navigate their complicated environments. Through their lyrics, they express the realities of maintaining such a lifestyle while being perpetually alert and aware of those who might wish to bring them down. In hip-hop history, these narratives of struggle and success have always found resonance, speaking to both personal ambition and the collective aspirations of many who walk similar paths.
