CITY OF ANGELS

"CITY OF ANGELS" by 24kGoldn is a commentary on the dual nature of Los Angeles and the pursuit of fame. The title itself refers to the city's nickname, a place that is depicted as both a heavenly playground and a potential hell. The song's central theme revolves around a figurative Faustian bargain, where the artist "sold my soul to the devil for designer." This lyric represents the compromises and sacrifices young artists often make for success, trading authenticity for materialism and fleeting success. However, the song carries a defiant tone, as the narrator rejects damnation ("told 'em I don't wanna") and expresses a deep-seated fear of dying young, a poignant reference to the premature deaths of other young artists in the music industry. The track explores the hedonistic lifestyle associated with fame in L.A., touching on superficial relationships and self-medication, yet it's underlined by an urgent desire to create a lasting legacy ("When I'm gone, remember all I've done"). Ultimately, the song is an anthem of youthful angst, capturing the exhilarating but dangerous balancing act of chasing dreams in a city known for making and breaking them.

The narrative begins with a bold and provocative declaration: the protagonist has metaphorically sold his soul to the devil in exchange for designer goods. This act symbolizes a willing trade of integrity for the superficial markers of success. When faced with condemnation and told to "go to hell," he defiantly refuses, asserting a sense of control over his own destiny. This refusal is rooted in a powerful desire not to die young, a recurring fear that haunts him despite his hedonistic lifestyle. The setting for this drama is the "City of Angels," Los Angeles, a place he identifies as his playground, where he indulges in a life of pleasure and fun. The fear of a premature death is a significant undercurrent, juxtaposed with the wish to be remembered for his accomplishments when he is eventually gone.

The story then shifts to a more personal reflection on a past relationship. He acknowledges that the fun they had has come to an end, citing the other person's perceived craziness as the reason for the breakup. His admission that he "just wanted to see you naked" reveals the superficial and physical nature of the connection, stripping it of any deeper emotional investment. This encounter reinforces the theme of transient pleasures that characterize his life in the fast lane.

He contemplates the abstract concept of fame, noting that he can almost taste it, which fuels his relentless chase. In this pursuit, he finds himself turning to substances like Hennessy as a coping mechanism, a momentary balm for the pressures and anxieties that come with his ambitious journey. The chorus repeats, reinforcing the central conflict: the Faustian bargain for material gain, the rejection of damnation, and the desperate plea to avoid an early death while living recklessly in a city that both nurtures and destroys dreams. The song encapsulates the internal battle between the exhilarating pursuit of fame and the haunting awareness of its potential costs, painting a vivid picture of a young artist navigating the treacherous, alluring landscape of Los Angeles.

"CITY OF ANGELS" was written by Golden Landis Von Jones (24kGoldn), Omer Fedi, and Nicco Catalano, with Fedi and Catalano (also known as Neek) handling production. The song was included on 24kGoldn's debut EP, Dropped Outta College, which was released on November 22, 2019. 24kGoldn has stated that he wanted to create a sound reminiscent of early 2000s rock bands like Weezer and Sum 41, blending it with his hip-hop influences. He felt the song was a guaranteed hit, but his record label was initially hesitant, believing it was too different from his previous hit, "Valentino". Despite the label's lack of initial support, 24kGoldn believed in the track's potential and personally pushed it by setting up a TikTok campaign with dancers and producers, which led to its viral success. The song was officially released as a single on March 31, 2020. The music video, directed by Nicholas Jandora, was filmed in Los Angeles and released on March 20, 2020.

The song's rhythm is upbeat and energetic, driven by a pop-punk-inspired guitar riff and fast-paced drumming with prominent high-hats. This creates a feeling of urgency and restlessness that mirrors the lyrical themes of chasing fame and escaping consequences. The tempo is quick, pushing the song forward relentlessly. The lyrical rhythm often follows the driving beat, with 24kGoldn's vocal delivery being both percussive and melodic. The rhyme scheme is straightforward and effective, primarily using couplets in the chorus, such as "designer" rhyming with "wanna" and the repetition of "goin'" and "wanna." The verse uses a similar AABB-like structure with rhymes like "done, 'un"/"fun, 'un" and "take it"/"naked." This simple, memorable rhyme scheme, combined with the catchy, rhythmic chorus, makes the song incredibly infectious and easy to sing along to, which was a significant factor in its popular appeal.

"CITY OF ANGELS" distinguishes itself through a fusion of genres and specific techniques. Musically, it blends pop-punk and emo rap, characterized by a prominent, melodic guitar riff that drives the song, upbeat high-hats, and a clattering percussive texture. 24kGoldn himself noted its inspiration from early 2000s rock bands like Weezer and Sum 41. His vocal delivery is notable for its raspy, energetic rap style that carries a defiant, angsty tone. Lyrically, the song employs a direct, narrative voice telling a story of ambition and consequence. The chorus is built around a catchy, repetitive structure and a simple but effective rhyme scheme (designer/wanna, goin'/wanna), making it highly memorable. The song's structure is lean and fast-paced, with a length under two minutes, reflecting the frenetic energy of its subject matter. The use of a strong, repeated hook in the chorus was a key factor in its viral success, particularly on platforms like TikTok.

"CITY OF ANGELS" achieved significant cultural impact primarily through its viral spread on TikTok. 24kGoldn actively promoted the song on the platform, which led to numerous lip-sync and dance videos, catapulting it to mainstream attention. The song became a UK Top 40 single, peaking at number 25, and also charted in several other countries including Australia, Canada, and Ireland. In the US, it reached number 3 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and was a top 10 hit on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The song's success solidified 24kGoldn's position as a rising star following his initial hit "Valentino." It is featured on his platinum-selling debut EP Dropped Outta College and has accumulated over 630 million global streams. A remix featuring English singer Yungblud was released in May 2020, further extending its reach. The track is also available in the video game Rock Band 4, cementing its place in popular culture.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a picture of the artist's experience with fame in Los Angeles.

• Selling Soul to the Devil for Designer: This is the central metaphor, a modern take on the Faustian bargain. It symbolizes the moral and artistic compromises made in the pursuit of wealth, status, and luxury fashion, which are emblematic of success in a materialistic culture.
• City of Angels: The title itself is a powerful symbol. Los Angeles is portrayed as a paradoxical place of opportunity and peril. It's a city of 'angels' (dreams, success, beautiful people) but also a place where one can fall from grace, hence the references to 'hell' and the devil. The city becomes a character in the song, representing the seductive and destructive nature of the entertainment industry.
• "I don't wanna die young": This recurring line is a direct and haunting plea, symbolizing the anxiety and very real danger that accompanies the fast-paced, high-risk lifestyle of a rising star. It reflects on the tragic deaths of young artists like Lil Peep, XXXTentacion, and Juice Wrld, making the fear of a premature end a tangible theme.
• Hennessy: The mention of "a little Hennessy" serves as a symbol for self-medication and escapism. It's a coping mechanism to deal with the pressures of chasing fame and the anxieties of a precarious lifestyle.

The most significant recurring motif in "CITY OF ANGELS" is the chorus, which acts as the song's central thesis. The line, "I sold my soul to the devil for designer," is repeated to emphasize the theme of a Faustian bargain for fame and material wealth. This is immediately followed by the defiant refusal, "They said, 'Go to hell,' but I told 'em I don't wanna," reinforcing the narrator's desire to control his own destiny despite his choices. The most emotionally charged recurring phrase is "I don't wanna die young," which appears multiple times and serves as a haunting anchor to the song's hedonistic narrative. This line contrasts the reckless fun described in "The city of angels where I have my fun" with the very real fear of its consequences, highlighting the central conflict of the song. Its repetition underscores the artist's anxiety about the precarious nature of his lifestyle and legacy.