Released: 2024 • Features: Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign
“STARS” by ¥$, Ye, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign paints a vivid picture of the pursuit of success, the extraterrestrial allure of money and fame, and the street-smart navigation needed to sustain it.
This joint captures the essence of hustling, artistry, and the habitual challenges that success presents, all wrapped up in a melodic and rhythmic packaging.
Starting off, “I hope he’s bright and big and strong” could be a metaphorical reference to their ambitions, hopes, and dreams. It’s a way of declaring their aspirations to be grand in stature and influence. This line isn’t just an idle hope, but a verbal affirmation solidifying their resolve to reach the stars, literally and figuratively.
The chorus “You already know what I’m on, Tell ’em no way to fund me, Pulling up, drop top Porsche, This that glory” keeps it a buck about their grinding, their growing wealth, and the lavish lifestyle it affords.
The drop top Porsche symbolizes the fruits of their success, while “this that glory” underscores that they’re living in their prime, basking in the glow of their accomplishments.
Similarly, lines like “Keep a few Jews on the staff now, I cash out, We finna go where the stars at” reveal a strategic mindset behind their success. Having financial advisors (‘Jews’ here, referring to individuals known for their business acumen) and being ready to invest (‘cash out’), indicates a clear vision towards their destination – the stars.
“This that rip up the contract, Fuck all that” is a strong statement of the artist’s independence. It’s a symbol of defiance against the conventional deals that often exploit artists. It’s a call for autonomy and creative control in their careers.
Adding some heat to the track, “Plug talk, plug talk, shawty, And she wanna back it up for me, I’ma blow your back out, shawty” serves up some sensual vibes. ‘Plug’ here refers to a source or provider, frequently used in the streets and in hip-hop to talk about someone who’s providing the goods, whether it be music, drugs, or, in this case, romantic and sexual tension.
Through all its swagger and effulgence, “STARS” is essentially a narrative of aiming high, reaching for the stars, and not relenting. Whether it be in wealth, status, relationships, or self-reliance, ¥$, Kanye West, and Ty Dolla $ign showcase their journey towards success, marked by their street-smart mentality, strategic planning, cheeky sensibilities and, above all, their allegiance to themselves and their aspirations.
