From fly to floss, fresh to flex, hip hop culture has always been enamored with wealth and the lifestyle that comes with it. Coming from “nothing to something” is a badge of honor worn by most of the industry, and for good reason. In most cases, their “rags to riches” evolution is something made for Hollywood, so why not tell the world through their discography? This is the playlist dedicated to opulence, wealth and all the benefits that come with it. Mo Money, No Problems.
Michael Writes:
Top 3 Songs from Ben & Why:
Feds Watching – 2 Chainz
During my early teen years I used to quickly sieve through the ‘Hot New HipHop’ website looking for the latest album or song that I’d quickly download and play on my way to school. During one of these weeks is how I discover ‘Feds Watching’. I really took a liking to the drums and how they had my head-bobbing while I’d brush my 360 waves before leaving the house. For a while nobody in my friendship group knew this song and it was always a pleasure when shuffle brought this track to the front and centre. I was happy to remember those moments after Ben’s careful selection.
Kinda Like a Big Deal – Clipse
When I got deep into my Kanye West phase, I felt Pusha T & Kanye West could do no wrong. So Appalled is a song I wanted that comes to mind. To hear the two had come together on a song I had not heard before got me really feeling good. Pusha T always had this cool motion when he slides over a beat. While not being part of his lifestyle, I was all for how he’d cleverly reference his lifestyle with a smugness so appropriate for his personality. And with old Kanye on this beat, it’s like I had the best of both worlds!
About the Money – T.I
When this song first came out I didn’t really care for it at all. It was just “meh” to me and I moved on. During 2015 – 2017 I got deep into my Young Thug phase and this song came back to the spotlight. Young Thug’s distinct voice had grown on me and I found amusement in his ad-libs. “I’m packing 11, I’m packing 11, ayy”
A song you were reluctant to remove from the playlist & why?
Drip – Cardi B
This is the song that had me dancing as I was making my tea at 11:37 pm. It made me realise just how I haven’t taken the time to listen to Cardi B and some of the gems she has in her discography. It’s definitely a song I was sad to see go just because of how much fun I had listening to it. Ben really had me in the first half, somehow he figured out how much I value a song that can get me moving to the vibe over one with intricately designed wordplay – extra points if a song can do both!. Ben warned me he’d go hard with his last hat trick, and he did just that!
A song you wish you could bring back to the playlist & why?
Cold – Kanye West
This song is like a sensual deep tissue massage for the ego. “Tell PETA, my mink is dragging on the floor”. Like damn, look at the ego on this one. I wouldn’t mind having that level of self admiration when venturing outside my comfort zone or battling self doubt. When I play this song, any self doubt politely exits the stage to make room for the reasons why a plan should work. I think a playlist about feeling expensive and being at the top of your game needed a song to inflate the ego way past what’s sensible.
What song made you feel like you’re in your bag?
A Milli – Lil Wayne
During my sessions in the gym, I found this song representing that rush of endorphins flooding the brain. With this song on I feel like I’m on top of my game. I feel like every step taken has a level of suave to it, that the crowd will part ways and show me the path. “But what’s a goon to a goblin? Nothin’”, and any recent challenge has been seen as this goon that fails to scare me. How can I be scared when I feel like I’m really him with this song playing? Like come on, “I’m ill”.
Ben Writes:
Top 3 Songs from Michael & Why:
Soccer Dad – ScHoolboy Q
There’s a lot of talk about Blue Lips as an early contender for rap album of tHe year for 2024, and tHe acclaim is valid. But ScHoolboy Has been dropping emoji fire for a wHile, witH Blank Face LP being one of my favorite albums of all time. Soccer Dad was a loosie that dropped out of nowHere a couple years ago, and I instantly fell in love witH it. THose Horns! Soccer dads unite!
Switch Up – Big Sean ft. Common
Any track with Common has to make my list of faves. In a lot of ways Common and Big Sean share a similar profile: in the 90’s and early 00’s he was always considered one of the top lyricists but never put in that GOAT conversation with folks like Biggie, Jay, Nas, Pac, even Eminem. Same with Big Sean. You could argue he’s on the same track with some of the greatest features in hip hop (Kendrick Lamar on Control, 2 Chainz on Mercy) and holds his own, but is on the outside looking in when it comes to debating the top rappers of this generation. But no one raps like Big Sean, and this song is a great display of his unique cadence and rhyme complexity.
What it Be Like – Stalley ft. Nipsey Hussle
I love how diverse this playlist is, considering the theme is stereotypically limiting in subject matter. The folks who listen to rap through mainstream media say “all rappers talk about is how much money they have.” Which is obviously as false as saying all country artists talk about pick-up trucks and picking up women. This selection is great because it takes a relatively underground artist like Stalley and shows him some love. And any time there’s a chance to throw Nipsey on a playlist, I’m here for it. Nice track that hopefully gets some well deserved exposure (check out Stalley’s latest single with Kevin Durant, Scared Money, as well).
A song you were reluctant to remove from the playlist & why?
There were a couple Rick Ross tracks that Michael picked and I removed. Not because I didn’t like Rick Ross, I just thought there were other tracks that would’ve fit the theme better, and the other tracks he selected were more in the groove. In hindsight, a playlist about extravagance and floss WITHOUT Rozay is curator malpractice. When you think of rappers who are about their bag, he’s top three all time. Easy. Misstep on my part.
A song you wish you could bring back to the playlist & why?
Money in the Grave – Rick Ross ft. Drake
Back to the Biggest Bo$$, he deserves to be the answer to two questions because he’s such an integral player in the “all about the money” rap subculture. Sometimes I think he created the word “lavish.” Money in the Grave was a great choice, but I really wanted another Drake song (see the next answer) and didn’t want the same artist represented multiple times on the playlist. That being said, we could’ve gone with tracks like Money Dance, B.M.F., Hustlin’, Cigar Music, Santorini Greece, and of course, all of the Maybach Music tracks. A GOAT when it comes to money rhymes.
What song made you feel like you’re in your bag?
Up All Night – Drake ft. Nicki Minaj
“Kush rolled, glass full, I deserve the better things / ni**az without money act like money isn’t everything”
That is one of my favorite opening lines from any song, and a flex I often think about. Up All NIght is about living in the moment, which is the only way to truly enjoy this life we’ve been given. As Aubrey says in Blessings, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” So yeah this is my joint. Plus the production from Boi-1da is so lush and monumental, it’s one of my go-to tracks when I DJ. It’s a “throw money in the club” song AND it’s a “chill on the rooftop with a cigar and bourbon” song.
Track Listing
- Stack Yo Chips (feat. Master P & C-Murder) – Mystikal
- BOSS – The Carters
- Order – Tm88
- Plug Walk – Rich The Kid
- Too Much Sauce (feat. Future & Lil Uzi Vert) – DJ ESCO
- I Got It Made – Special Ed
- All for One – Brand Nubian
- About the Money (feat. Young Thug) – T.I.
- Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley – Lloyd Banks
- A Milli – Lil Wayne
- No Explanation – Joey Bada$$
- And Then What – Jeezy
- Palisades, CA – Larry June
- Switch Up – Big Sean
- No Time – Lil’ Kim
- What It Be Like (feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Stalley
- Up All Night – Drake
- Soccer Dad – ScHoolboy Q
- Goldie – A$AP Rocky
- Feds Watching – 2 Chainz
- By Any Means – Wale
- Kinda Like a Big Deal (feat. Kanye West) – Clipse
Playlist image by Storiès on Unsplash
About the Curators
Michael Mchunu
Music is amazing. I love finding songs to create mood playlists on Spotify or YouTube Music.
I find mood playlists enhance and release the emotions I could be feeling in a moment. Each one I make serves a purpose; they are included in the soundtrack of “The Great Adventure of Life”.
While having a background in percussion groups and jazz bands, I like paying attention to the instruments involved in the songs. Hence, some of my playlists have little to no words involved; those are moments when emotions need to be respected fully.
For contrast: I’ve also experimented with creating my own music. Having understood the process of selecting the perfect beat and ensuring each word hits its mark allowed me to appreciate the verses in some of my favourite songs.
There’s a great poetic nature in how some songs are structured that will give them acclaim in my personal opinion.
Right now, I’m experimenting with variations of House music to create mixes that can be posted on YouTube. So far, I’ve released Soulful, Deep, Nostalgic and Alternate House music mixes.
I’m slowly navigating my way from house mixes, to other genres like Hiphop, RnB, Indie, Rock and Pop.
