Released: 2015 • Features: Drake
“Versace” by Migos, featuring Drake, is a multifaceted explorative extravaganza. The song encapsulates the aspirational yet troubled life within the intricate fabric of wealth, power and status.
The Medusa-headed Versace brand symbolizes the affluent, opulent lifestyle these artists consistently chase, yet the song also layers complexities of their struggle for acceptance, maintaining their identity, and the dependency on materialism to validate their success.
“Versace, Versace. Medusa head on me like I’m illuminati”, the chorus, masterfully conveys a double meaning. Not only is it about the brand Versace, represented by the Medusa logo, but also hints at the conspiratorial Illuminati claims typical in hip-hop lore – referring to the uncanny power-holder allegedly pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Drake equates his success with this sort of power, presenting himself as someone who ‘controls’ the music game. Yet, he remains grounded, reminding listeners he’s from Toronto and feels a strong connect to Atlanta, a cradle of modern hip-hop. His success, he insinuates, is a result of his foresight, “Saw this shit comin’ like I had binoculars, boy.”
Drake switches gears mid-verse. Through lines like “I’m tryna give Halle Berry a baby and no one can stop me”, he lays bare his personal ambitions, playing into the familiar trope of pursuing famous women, a testament to his elevated status.
When Migos take the mic, they carry forward the Versace theme, but give it a distinct spin. They touch on topics such as their street hustles, “Cookin’ this dope like I work at Hibachi.”
They express their penchant for luxury and the joy of flaunting it while subtly hinting at their roots: “You can do Truey, I do it Versace.” The ‘Truey’ here is a reference to True Religion, a less expensive brand compared to Versace, a symbol of their ascent from less affluent beginnings.
Offset, in his verse, delves even deeper into the thematic essence of the song, tying in the Versace symbolism with personal struggles and aspirations. “King of Versace, Medusa my wifey”, he references the Greek mythology of Medusa, perhaps symbolizing the perilous temptation and struggles tied to their pursuit of wealth and glamor.
“Young Offset no preacher but you niggas listen”, he underlines his influence on culture despite his non-traditional path to success. Throughout the verse, references to ‘Egyptian gold’ and ‘Ferragamo’ further underscore their indulgence in luxury brands as an affirmation of their success.
In conclusion, “Versace” is a statement of power and luxury, a testament to the struggles and victories in Migos’ and Drake’s careers. Through its vivid lyrics and catchy hooks, it projects a panoramic view of the glamorous yet fraught landscape of hip-hop success, all woven within the fabric of a single, albeit very expensive, brand – Versace.
