500 PS

"500 PS" is a celebratory anthem centered around the themes of immense success, wealth, and a luxurious, hedonistic lifestyle. The title itself, referring to 500 horsepower, is a direct metaphor for the power and high-speed life the artists are living. The car, a matte black Maserati GTS, serves as the primary symbol of their achievements, representing not just material wealth but also dominance and the ability to navigate life on their own terms, much like a player in a video game ('GTA Los Angeles').

The lyrics explicitly detail the fruits of their labor: expensive cars, designer watches, and a life free from financial worry. This is contrasted with mentions of their past struggles and the hard work it took to reach this point, adding a layer of justification to their current indulgence. The song is an unapologetic display of their status in the German rap scene. It's a declaration that they have reached the pinnacle of success and are now enjoying the rewards. The repeated references to their crew (187 Strassenbande) also highlight the importance of loyalty and collective strength in their journey.

Beyond the materialism, the song conveys an attitude of invincibility and rebellion. They are depicted as figures who operate outside of conventional norms, handle their own problems, and command respect. This blend of street credibility and opulent living is a core element of their brand and a significant theme in the 'Palmen aus Plastik' album series. Ultimately, "500 PS" is a high-energy track that encapsulates the feeling of being on top, moving fast, and being in complete control.

The narrative of the song revolves around a triumphant and luxurious lifestyle, symbolized by high-powered luxury cars, specifically a Maserati GTS with 500 horsepower (PS). The artists, RAF Camora and Bonez MC, depict themselves cruising through the city, drawing a parallel to the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: Los Angeles,' which evokes a sense of freedom, rebellion, and a lavish, consequence-free existence. RAF Camora begins by setting this scene, emphasizing the car's power and sleek, matte black appearance. He portrays a life of confidence and success, where any problems ('palaver') that arise are easily resolved. He paints a picture of a 90s kid influenced by Mobb Deep, now living a top-tier life, adorned with engravings in his car's cockpit and the trace of lip gloss on his cup, suggesting recent company. This lifestyle is a direct result of his relentless hard work ('Camora is top fit') and dedication, having spent countless nights in the studio, a stark contrast to his past where he struggled financially. The lyrics touch on themes of authenticity and street credibility, mentioning his preference for a 'bad girl' and his readiness for confrontation, symbolized by a 'Messer im Bauch' (knife in the stomach). He contrasts his current success with a past of poverty, highlighting the transformation from having nothing to affording luxury items like a new Mercedes and expensive Richard Mille watches.

Bonez MC's verse continues this celebration of wealth and street credibility. He boasts about his financial success, mentioning a significant monthly income and his ability to indulge in expensive habits without concern. His imagery is raw and unfiltered, referencing his crew, the 187 Strassenbande, and their dominant presence. He describes a life filled with luxury brands, beautiful women, and a nonchalant attitude towards authority and rivals. The lyrics are packed with references to a gangster lifestyle, from buying aggressive dogs for protection to dealing with cocaine, presenting these elements as integral parts of his reality and success. He asserts his crew's dominance over the entire country, comparing their influence to a sandstorm. There's a sense of earned arrogance; he notes that people now seek pictures and autographs, a testament to his hard-won fame. The recurring hook, 'Ich drück' aufs Gas, hör' die 500 PS' (I step on the gas, hear the 500 HP), serves as a powerful, repetitive anchor for the song's central theme: the exhilarating feeling of power, speed, and untouchable success. The song is a celebration of overcoming past struggles to achieve a hedonistic and powerful present, all encapsulated by the metaphor of the 500-horsepower car.

"500 PS" was released on August 3, 2018, as the first single from the highly anticipated second collaborative studio album by German rapper Bonez MC and Austrian rapper RAF Camora, titled "Palmen aus Plastik 2". The song was written by Bonez MC (John Lorenz Moser), RAF Camora (Raphael Ragucci), and the production duo The Cratez (David Kraft and Tim Wilke). Production was handled by The Cratez alongside RAF Camora himself.

The track's composition notably features a slowed-down sample from the song "Freestyler" by the Finnish electro-hip-hop group Bomfunk MC's, which gives it a recognizable and nostalgic undertone beneath the modern trap and dancehall beat. The song was recorded in 2018 as part of the sessions for the album, which aimed to build on the massive success of their first collaboration, "Palmen aus Plastik".

The music video, a crucial component of the song's promotion, was directed by Shaho Casado with a reported budget of 200,000 euros. Its release was delayed until August 11, 2018, due to a technical issue involving a defective hard drive. The video quickly became a commercial success, accumulating over 147 million views on YouTube by June 2023, perfectly visualizing the song's themes of luxury, fast cars, and a party lifestyle.

The rhyme and rhythm of "500 PS" are key to its catchy and energetic feel. The song follows a relatively straightforward structure common in hip-hop, with verses delivered by each artist and a recurring, memorable hook sung by RAF Camora. The rhyme scheme within the verses is complex, utilizing multi-syllabic rhymes and internal rhymes to create a fluid and technically proficient flow. The rhythm of the vocal delivery is tightly synchronized with the 140 BPM dancehall-infused trap beat. The hook's rhythm is particularly hypnotic and simple, making it easy for listeners to chant along. This interplay between the complex, fast-paced verses and the simple, repetitive chorus creates a dynamic listening experience that is both engaging and highly memorable, making it a perfect track for clubs and parties.

"500 PS" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to achieve its high-energy, confident tone.

• Musical Style: The song is a characteristic blend of German street rap (Straßenrap) with strong dancehall and trap influences, a signature style for Bonez MC and RAF Camora. The beat, co-produced by The Cratez and RAF Camora, is built around a driving tempo (around 140 BPM) and features a prominent, catchy bassline. The use of a slowed sample from Bomfunk MC's "Freestyler" adds a unique, nostalgic hook. RAF Camora's vocal delivery often incorporates melodic, auto-tuned singing, which contrasts with Bonez MC's more aggressive and raw rap style.
• Lyrical Techniques: The lyrics are characterized by braggadocio, a common trope in hip-hop, where the artists boast about their wealth, success, and street credibility. They use vivid imagery related to luxury goods (Maserati, Richard Mille) and a dangerous lifestyle ('Messer im Bauch'). There is also a strong use of brand-dropping to reinforce the theme of wealth. The reference to 'GTA Los Angeles' is an effective cultural simile, immediately conveying a sense of reckless freedom and excitement to a wide audience.

"500 PS" was a monumental commercial success and had a significant cultural impact in German-speaking countries. It debuted at number three in Germany and eventually reached number one ten weeks after its initial release. In Austria, it peaked at number two. The song was certified Diamond in Germany for selling over one million units, a rare achievement in the German music industry.

The track, along with the entire "Palmen aus Plastik 2" album, set streaming records in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with over 57 million streams in its first week. Bonez MC and RAF Camora achieved the unprecedented feat of occupying the top three positions of the German single charts simultaneously with "500 PS", "Kokain", and "Nummer unterdrückt". The song's success solidified the duo's status as the leading force in German hip-hop and further popularized the blend of dancehall and German rap, influencing numerous other artists. Its music video became one of the most-viewed German rap videos on YouTube, demonstrating its massive reach and cultural resonance. The song won the "Hype Song" award at the 2019 Hype Awards, cementing its status as a defining track of that era.

The song is rich with symbolism, primarily centered around the concept of power and success.

• The 500 PS Car (Maserati GT S): This is the central and most powerful symbol. The 500 horsepower represents the immense force and momentum of the artists' careers. It's a tangible symbol of their wealth, status, and the high-speed, unstoppable nature of their lives. The car being 'mattschwarz' (matte black) adds to its image of sleek, aggressive, and understated power. Driving it through the city like in 'GTA Los Angeles' symbolizes a life lived without limits, a fantasy world of freedom and control made real.
• Palmen aus Plastik (Plastic Palms): While not explicitly mentioned in the lyrics of this song, it's the title of the album series. This overarching motif represents a manufactured paradise—the ability to create a tropical, luxurious escape even in the urban, often grey, environment of Germany. It symbolizes the artificial but enjoyable reality they have built for themselves through their success.
• Richard Mille Watch: Mentioned by RAF Camora, this extremely expensive and exclusive watch is a clear status symbol, representing a level of wealth that is accessible to only a select few. It signifies not just financial success but also entry into an elite class.

The most significant recurring element in the song is the hook, which is repeated multiple times:

• "Ich drück' aufs Gas, hör' die 500 PS / Fahren durch die Stadt, GTA Los Angeles / Alles mattschwarz, Maserati GT S / Manchmal gibt's Palaver, doch es regelt sich von selbst" (I step on the gas, hear the 500 HP / Drive through the city, GTA Los Angeles / Everything matte black, Maserati GT S / Sometimes there's trouble, but it resolves itself). This phrase acts as the song's thesis statement. Its repetition drills the central themes of power, luxury, and self-assuredness into the listener's mind. The phrase becomes an anthem for the lifestyle the song glorifies.
• The sound effect "-S-S-S-S" at the end of the line "500 PS" in the intro and hook mimics the sound of a turbocharger or the hiss of tires, reinforcing the automotive and speed-related theme of the song.