Released: 2020 • Features: Metro Boomin, Young Thug
“Rich Nigga Shit” is a braggadocious anthem by 21 Savage and Young Thug, heavy with luxury, power, and the chase of the dollar. The track celebrates the rappers’ journey from the struggle to high-end lifestyle while cautioning about the pitfalls of achieving such wealth and status.
The song kicks off with 21 Savage’s verse, setting the tone with a Metro Boomin tagline, signifying this is a high-quality production. “Rich nigga shit, I do a lot of/ Nigga, we be sippin’ out the bottle,” he raps, reinforcing the luxury-laden theme of the track. Riding in expensive cars like Porsche and Cullinan, wearing high-end labels like Prada, Saint Laurent, and Off-White, swimming in a sea of beautiful women (baddies); 21 Savage draws a vibrant picture of wealth and indulgence. The reference to “the crosses” and “Chrome Hearts” allude to a popular designer brand known for using crosses in their clothing and accessories, another detail woven into the cash-rich motif of the song.
Young Thug’s verse is equally embellished with affluence – “You can open up the door, but you ain’t gotta close it back” – highlighting his level of riches where even the simplest efforts become unnecessary. His bars also intermingle pride, status, and a morsel of threat, reminding listeners that even amidst luxury, he’s ready for combat: “I been ridin’ with a cutter, call it stick shift” – ‘cutter’ being street slang for a gun.
In terms of message, “Rich Nigga Shit” is a song that reflects on the trappings of success. The phrase ‘money and power’ is often repeated throughout the song as the ultimate goal. 21 Savage exposes his past mistakes and regrets: “She took me for granted even when I tried to show her the better me,” expressing his struggles in relationships due to the strain of money and fame.
In essence, “Rich Nigga Shit” paints a portrait of the high-life as experienced by two rappers who made it big – from the glamour of high fashion to the dangers in their environment – showcasing a dualistic life of luxury and street life, while they make that moolah rain.
