Players

"Players" by Coi Leray is a bold and unapologetic anthem of female empowerment and independence. The core message of the song is to challenge and subvert the traditionally masculine concept of a 'player'—someone who is successful, dates multiple people, and lives life on their own terms. Leray asserts that women can embody this role with the same confidence and swagger, encapsulated in the song's infectious hook, "'Cause girls is players, too." The lyrics celebrate financial independence, self-worth, and the freedom to make one's own choices without seeking validation from men. She rejects men who cannot match her ambition or lifestyle, as expressed in the line, "If he broke, then you gotta let him go." The song promotes a message of self-assurance and encourages women to embrace their power, enjoy their lives, and not be confined by societal expectations or double standards regarding dating and success.

The song opens with a confident assertion of a woman's place at the top, living a life of luxury in penthouse suites and looking down on her detractors. She portrays a sense of power and control, treating a romantic interest like a disposable commodity, a 'test drive' she can easily leave behind. Time is equated with money, a resource she spends on lavish items like a watch, signifying her success and independence. Her appearance is described with a casual sexiness—a see-through white t-shirt and thong peeking out of tight jeans—and she adorns herself with jewelry as if she's a prized partner, yet she remains uncommitted. She confidently states that any other woman in a man's life can't compare to her.

The narrative continues with her jet-setting lifestyle, constantly 'catching another flight.' Her physical attractiveness is a source of power, making men desire her. Her primary goal is simple: to have a good night. A clear ultimatum is presented: if a man is broke, he's not worth her time and must be let go. She emphasizes her freedom of choice, being able to have any man she desires because, as a 'boss,' she dictates her own terms. The central theme is hammered home in the chorus: 'girls is players too.' This refrain acts as an anthem, a declaration that women are equally capable of being 'players,' getting money, and enjoying a life of freedom and multiple romantic partners all over the world.

The second verse reinforces her 'player' status. She's in high demand, with a man constantly calling her phone, but she chooses to ignore him. She nonchalantly reveals that he's not the only one; she has a roster of men ('like four of him'). Her lifestyle is first-class, a journey from 'rags to riches.' She describes herself as a 'five-star' woman who is irresistibly appealing. In a powerful flip of traditional gender roles, she has men catering to her, even doing the dishes. Her fleeting nature is highlighted with a dark humor; a man she was with ends up on the news as a missing person because she has 'ghosted' him. The song reiterates the idea of her constant movement and pursuit of pleasure, a life where she is in complete control of her romantic and financial destiny, unbound by conventional expectations.

"Players" was released on November 30, 2022, as the lead single from Coi Leray's second studio album, Coi (2023). The song was written by Coi Leray, producer Johnny Goldstein, Akil "WorldWideFresh" King, and Feli Ferraro. A key element of the track is its prominent sample of the instrumental from the iconic 1982 hip-hop classic "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

According to Leray, the song's creation was a spontaneous and organic process. During a studio session with Johnny Goldstein, they initially spent over an hour working on a different, more melodic and "radio-ish" track that Leray was unhappy with. Feeling frustrated and that the initial idea was too generic, she decided to switch gears completely. She asked to have the autotune taken off her voice and just rap. Inspired by recent experiences, including attending parties hosted by Diddy, the line "Girls is players too" just flowed out of her. Leray has stated that she freestyled her verses for the song in a single take. Before the official release, Leray met with Grandmaster Flash, who gave her his blessing and gifted her a custom hoodie with the phrase "Girls Are Players Too" to show his support.

The song's popularity was significantly boosted by a Jersey club remix created by DJ Smallz 732, which went viral on TikTok. This led to several other official remixes, including one with the instrumental from Busta Rhymes' 1997 hit "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" featuring a new verse from Busta Rhymes himself, and another by famed DJ David Guetta.

The song's structure is built on a foundation of a steady, upbeat hip-hop and funk rhythm, driven by the sampled beat of "The Message." The tempo is energetic and danceable, contributing to its party anthem feel. Leray's lyrical rhythm is conversational and confident, often using end rhymes to punctuate her bars. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, often relying on couplets (AABB) which makes the lyrics memorable and impactful. For example, in the first verse: "top"/"opps" and "lot"/"watch"; followed by "tee"/"jeans" and "wifed me"/"like me." This straightforward rhyme structure, combined with internal rhymes and assonance, creates a smooth and engaging flow that complements the rhythmic backing track. The interplay between her vocal cadence and the instrumental creates the song's signature bounce. The hook's repetition serves as a rhythmic and thematic anchor, making it the most memorable part of the song.

"Players" showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that contribute to its confident and catchy style.

• Sampling and Interpolation: The most significant musical technique is the use of the iconic beat from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message." This not only creates a nostalgic and familiar funk-infused backdrop but also positions the song within hip-hop history, creating a dialogue between a foundational text and a modern female perspective.
• Vocal Delivery: Coi Leray employs a distinctive, often monotone, and swagger-filled rap delivery. This confident and nonchalant tone underscores the lyrical content, conveying a sense of effortless superiority and control. Her flow is rhythmic and weaves in and out of the beat, demonstrating her versatility.
• Braggadocio: The lyrics are filled with braggadocio, a common trope in hip-hop where the artist boasts about their wealth, skills, and success. Leray uses this technique to assert her dominance and self-worth, with lines like "What you know 'bout livin' on the top?" and "Bitches gettin' money all around the world."
• AAVE (African-American Vernacular English): The song utilizes elements of AAVE, most notably in the grammatically non-standard but culturally significant hook, "'cause girls is players too." This stylistic choice roots the song in a specific cultural and linguistic context, adding to its authenticity and voice.

"Players" marked a significant breakthrough for Coi Leray, becoming her first solo song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first top-ten hit, peaking at number nine. The song's success was amplified by its immense popularity on TikTok, particularly a Jersey club remix by DJ Smallz 732, which sparked a viral trend. This success led to multiple high-profile remixes, including collaborations with David Guetta and a notable version featuring a verse from hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes. The song topped several Billboard charts, including Hot Rap Songs and Rhythmic Radio. Its clever sampling of the 1982 classic "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was widely praised, connecting a new generation of listeners with a foundational hip-hop track. Grandmaster Flash himself publicly supported the song, meeting with Leray and endorsing her modern take on the beat. The track cemented Leray's status as a hitmaker and was seen as a powerful female empowerment anthem, flipping the script on the masculine "player" trope.

"Players" employs several symbols and metaphors to reinforce its themes of female empowerment and financial independence.

• Penthouse Suites and Watches: The imagery of "livin' on the top" in "penthouse suites" symbolizes achieving the highest level of success and looking down, both literally and figuratively, on opponents or "opps." Spending money on a watch is a metaphor for valuing her own time and success, directly stating "Time is money, so I spent it on a watch."
• Test Drive: Likening a man to a car she took for a "test drive" and "left him on the lot" is a powerful metaphor that reverses traditional gender roles. It frames the man as a disposable object for her assessment and pleasure, whom she can easily discard if he doesn't meet her standards.
• Apple Bottom and Biting: The line "the apple bottom make him wanna bite" uses the classic biblical imagery of the forbidden fruit (apple) to symbolize irresistible temptation. Her physique becomes a source of power and allure that men cannot resist.
• Boss: Calling herself a "boss" is a direct statement of her autonomy and control. It signifies that she is in charge of her own life, career, and choices, especially in her romantic life where she can "do what you want."

The most prominent recurring motif in "Players" is the central phrase of the hook: "'Cause girls is players too." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song, acting as a powerful and memorable thesis statement. Its repetition drills the song's core message of female empowerment and the subversion of gender roles into the listener's mind, transforming it into an anthem. Another recurring idea is that of a luxurious, jet-setting lifestyle, mentioned with phrases like "'bout to catch another flight" and descriptions of penthouse suites. A complementary recurring motif is the dismissal of men who are not on her level, particularly the idea that "if he broke, then you gotta let him go," which appears as a consistent rule in her playbook. These recurring elements work together to build a consistent and strong narrative of a woman who is independent, successful, and in complete control.