Released: 2020 • Features: Roddy Ricch
“ROCKSTAR”, a potent collaboration between DaBaby and Roddy Ricch, is an articulate exploration of the tough realities the artists faced before their rise to stardom. The song inspects the struggles and dangers of street life, while still finding room to spotlight the allure of hip-hop fame and fortune. The artists also utilize the track as a canvas to paint pictures of their success and superiority in the music game.
DaBaby kicks it off, gliding on the beat with his signature flow. When he describes his “Brand-new Lamborghini,” he ain’t just flexing his whip game. He’s illustrating contrasts, juxtaposing the opulence of his current lifestyle with the gritty realities of his past. His use of a “cop car” metaphorically punches at the police, highlighting his own heightened stature and dominance. When he rhetorically questions, “Have you ever met a real nigga rockstar?,” it’s a chess move, asserting his unique intersection of street credibility and commercial success.
His verse unfolds into a chilling narrative, diving headfirst into the deep waters of street warfare, loaded firearms, and survival. The poignant line, “Full of pain, dropped enough tears to fill up a fuckin’ bucket,” speaks to the emotional trauma that comes with this life. He also underscores loyalty and protection, especially when it comes to his family, adding dimensions to his street-hardened persona.
Roddy Ricch, drenched in raw honesty, follows suit in the same vein, taking listeners on a guided tour of his run-ins with the law, his escape from potential shootings, and his ascendance to fame. The metaphor “I got the mop” doesn’t mean he’s cleaning floors, fam. In hood parlance, mopping refers to violently wiping out enemies. Similarly, the term “Glocky” simply refers to his firearm, an essential tool in his former lifestyle. His reference to Dennis Rodman, notorious for his rebounding skills in the NBA, is a slang-infused nod to relentless retaliations in his past street life.
In conclusion, “ROCKSTAR” offers an unflinching look at the harsh realities DaBaby and Roddy Ricch had to navigate on their road to stardom. It blends the celebration of success with the pain of their past, using vivid lyrics and powerful metaphors to provide listeners with a stark portrait of life before fame.
