TOES (feat. Lil Baby & Moneybagg Yo)

"TOES" is a quintessential trap anthem that revolves around themes of newfound wealth, street credibility, and the artists' ascent from poverty to the top of the hip-hop world. The song serves as a vehicle for DaBaby, Lil Baby, and Moneybagg Yo to engage in braggadocio, flexing their success and lavish lifestyles. The title itself is a metaphor; the line "Came from the bottom, toes" suggests starting at the absolute lowest point and rising up. The lyrics are filled with declarations of their financial status, expensive possessions like jewelry and cars, and their continued dominance in the streets despite their fame. There's a strong narrative of overcoming adversity, as highlighted in Moneybagg Yo's verse where he contrasts waiting for tax returns with now being paid to "flex and shine". Beyond the materialism, the song also conveys a sense of hardened resolve. DaBaby's opening lines, "My heart so cold I think I'm done with ice," imply that his life experiences have made him emotionally numb, and the flashiness of diamonds no longer fazes him. This is coupled with a readiness for violence ("Better not pull up with no knife, 'cause I bring guns to fights"), which speaks to a survivalist mentality retained from their past. Ultimately, "TOES" is a celebration of victory, a chest-thumping declaration of making it against all odds, while reminding listeners of the harsh realities that shaped them.

The song is a powerful anthem of success and dominance, chronicled by three prominent voices in modern hip-hop: DaBaby, Lil Baby, and Moneybagg Yo. Each artist uses their verse to paint a vivid picture of their journey from humble, and often harsh, beginnings to the pinnacle of wealth and influence in the rap game. The narrative is built on a foundation of unapologetic boasting, detailing lavish lifestyles, immense riches, and a maintained connection to their street origins.

DaBaby initiates the track with a chorus that establishes a tone of emotional coldness and a readiness for conflict, a state of being forged by his past experiences. He states, "My heart so cold I think I'm done with ice," suggesting he has become numb to the flashy jewelry that once symbolized success because his inner world is already hardened. This is immediately followed by a stark warning: "Better not pull up with no knife, 'cause I bring guns to fights," which underscores a survivalist mentality and a refusal to be underestimated. He further boasts about his financial status, questioning what he looks like carrying small denominations and being surrounded by women, implying his wealth and appeal are self-evident. The recurring line, "Came from the bottom, toes," serves as the central metaphor, grounding their current opulence in the reality of their past struggles, emphasizing they started with nothing.

Lil Baby's verse continues this theme of extreme wealth. He describes walking into a bank with a million dollars in a tote bag and owning a Rover he doesn't even drive, illustrating a level of financial success that makes luxury commonplace. His lines also carry a menacing edge, warning others not to challenge him as he can easily have them dealt with, a clear assertion of his power and influence. He contrasts his current life with his past, mentioning the high price of his jewelry as a marker of his ascent.

Moneybagg Yo's contribution provides a more direct before-and-after narrative. He reflects on a time when he was "down, down, down, down, waiting on taxes time," a relatable image of financial struggle. He contrasts this sharply with his present reality: "Look at me now, now, now, now, they pay me to flex and shine." This transformation from waiting on a tax refund to being paid simply to display his wealth encapsulates the song's core message of triumph over adversity. He talks about being constantly booked and busy, with diamonds on his earlobes, reinforcing the visual evidence of his success. His verse solidifies the collective story of the three artists: a journey from the very bottom to a life of unimaginable luxury and status, all while retaining the grit and mindset that enabled their rise.

"TOES" was released on September 27, 2019, as the eighth track on DaBaby's second studio album, Kirk. The song was a significant collaboration, featuring two other major figures in the trap scene, Lil Baby and Moneybagg Yo. It marked the fifth collaboration between DaBaby and Lil Baby, but his first with both Moneybagg Yo and the primary producer, Kenny Beats. The production was handled by Kenny Beats and Queen Sixties. The official songwriting credits belong to Jonathan Kirk (DaBaby), Dominique Jones (Lil Baby), Demario White, Jr. (Moneybagg Yo), Kenneth Blume III (Kenny Beats), Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna, and Jared Scharff. The album Kirk was a deeply personal project for DaBaby, named after his last name and dedicated to his father, who passed away shortly after the release of his debut studio album, Baby on Baby. "TOES" was one of thirteen tracks on the album, all of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, a testament to DaBaby's immense popularity at the time.

The rhythmic structure of "TOES" is central to its high-energy, aggressive feel. The song is set to a fast tempo of approximately 160 beats per minute (BPM) and is in a 4/4 time signature. This uptempo pace drives the song forward relentlessly. The rappers' flows are intricate and syncopated, often weaving in and out of the beat's main pulse. They utilize a variety of rhyme schemes, though it is largely free verse, focusing more on rhythmic cadence and internal rhymes than strict end-rhyme patterns. For example, in DaBaby's verse, you see slant rhymes and assonance: "If I leave her, she gon' die, but bitch, you done with life / Okay, better not pull up with no knife, 'cause I bring guns to fights." This AAAA-like scheme creates a punchy, insistent effect. The rhythm is dominated by the heavy 808 bass and sharp percussion, which the rappers use as a foundation for their versatile and often rapid-fire deliveries. The interplay between the catchy, melodic whistle and the hard-hitting lyrical rhythm creates a dynamic and memorable track.

"TOES" is defined by its distinctive musical and lyrical style. Musically, the production by Kenny Beats and Queen Sixties is minimalist yet highly effective. It's built around a prominent, catchy "whistle-led" loop that gives the song a unique, almost Wild West-inspired feel, layered over a heavy, pulsating bass and trap percussions. This instrumental creates an intense and energetic backdrop for the rappers. DaBaby's vocal delivery is charismatic and energetic, characterized by his signature ad-libs ('Huh?'). The song follows a standard trap structure, with DaBaby performing the first verse and chorus, followed by verses from Lil Baby and Moneybagg Yo, respectively. Lyrically, the song is built on braggadocio and assertive declarations. The rappers employ direct, confrontational language and vivid imagery to depict wealth and street life. A key literary technique is the use of rhetorical questions, such as DaBaby asking, "What I look like with all them twenties?" to emphasize his elevated financial status. The smooth flow of the chorus, despite its lyrical complexity, makes it memorable and encourages listeners to learn the words.

"TOES" was a significant track from DaBaby's number-one album Kirk, contributing to his status as one of the most dominant artists of 2019. The album debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200, and all 13 of its tracks, including "TOES," charted on the Billboard Hot 100. "TOES" itself peaked at number 28 on the Hot 100 and has been certified 2X platinum by the RIAA, signifying sales of over two million units in the US. The song was praised by critics for its catchy, whistle-led Kenny Beats production and the strong chemistry between the three featured artists. It was often highlighted as a standout track on the album. While some critics found the album's overall sound to be repetitive, "TOES" was frequently cited as an example of DaBaby's formula working to great effect. The track solidified the cultural trope of the "rags-to-riches" narrative within modern trap music, becoming an anthem that celebrated overcoming adversity through grit and street smarts.

The song employs several key symbols and metaphors to convey its themes of struggle and success.

• Toes: The most significant metaphor is in the title and hook, "Came from the bottom, toes." Toes, being the lowest part of the body, symbolize starting from the absolute bottom of the social and economic ladder. It's a raw, physical metaphor for having nothing and beginning a journey of upward mobility.
• Ice: The line "My heart so cold I think I'm done with ice" is a clever play on words. "Ice" refers to diamonds and expensive jewelry, a common trope in hip-hop symbolizing wealth. However, DaBaby uses it to imply he has become emotionally hardened and numb ("cold-hearted") from his experiences, to the point where the physical coldness of diamonds is redundant.
• Guns vs. Knives: The declaration, "Better not pull up with no knife, 'cause I bring guns to fights," is a straightforward metaphor for being over-prepared for any conflict. It symbolizes a strategic, dominant, and ruthless approach to challenges, ensuring victory by escalating the level of force far beyond any potential threat.

The most significant recurring phrase in "TOES" is the hook, particularly the line "Came from the bottom, toes." This phrase acts as the song's central thesis, encapsulating the entire narrative of rising from poverty and hardship. Its repetition reinforces the theme and serves as a grounding statement amidst the boasts of extreme wealth. Another recurring element is DaBaby's signature ad-lib, "Huh?", which he uses after rhetorical questions like "What I look like with all this money?" This ad-lib adds to his charismatic and confrontational persona, challenging the listener to question his success. The motif of being emotionally "cold" or hardened is introduced by DaBaby ("My heart so cold I think I'm done with ice") and serves as an undercurrent to the celebratory lyrics, suggesting a psychological cost to their come-up. Finally, the imagery of wealth—racks, diamonds, expensive cars—is a constant motif repeated and elaborated upon by all three artists throughout their verses, creating a cohesive picture of their opulent lifestyle.