Fancy

"Fancy" is a celebratory ode to independent, confident, and self-sufficient women. Drake described the song as a "dedication to the ladies who take pride in being the flyest and finest that there are out there to be noticed." The lyrics move beyond simple physical attraction to admire a woman's entire persona, which is built on self-care, intelligence, and ambition. The central theme is that this woman's elaborate preparations—the hair, nails, and fashion—are not for male validation but as an act of self-expression and empowerment. Drake's verse highlights this directly: "And you don't do it for the man, men never notice / You just do it for yourself, you're the fucking coldest."

T.I.'s verse adds another layer by contrasting this ideal woman with "superficial gold digging bitches," thereby elevating her status. Her refusal of a free drink is a pivotal moment, symbolizing her financial independence and self-worth. The song champions women who are both "book and street smart," have their own careers ("homeowners, the girls that got diplomas"), and carry themselves with a confidence that others might envy. The recurring hook, "Oh, you fancy, huh?", is delivered with a mix of playful teasing and genuine admiration, acknowledging and celebrating the effort and pride she takes in her presentation. Ultimately, the song is an anthem for women who have invested in themselves and crafted their own success.

The song opens by painting a vivid picture of a woman meticulously preparing to go out. The narrator, Drake, observes her routine in the bathroom with flat irons and nail files, the time spent in salons perfecting her hairstyle, and her frequent shopping trips. He notes her dedication to fitness, not for the approval of men, who he claims “never notice,” but entirely for herself, establishing her as “the fucking coldest.” He admires her intelligence, specifying his preference for women who are both “book and street smart.” This woman possesses a certain class and the self-assurance to look past his own flawed history. While acknowledging the discomfort of high heels, he sees them as part of her complete, put-together look, which includes a clutch for her lip gloss. He concludes his verse by affirming that nobody does it better, praising the way she presents herself.

The chorus, driven by Swizz Beatz's energetic and repetitive hook, serves as both a playful accusation and a declaration of admiration: “Oh, you fancy, huh?” This is immediately followed by the iconic line, “Nails done, hair done, everything did,” which acts as a mantra of complete and total self-presentation. This refrain reinforces the central theme of a woman who takes immense pride in her appearance and is fully put-together from head to toe.

The second verse, delivered by T.I., shifts the perspective. He positions this “fancy” woman as a refreshing departure from the “superficial gold digging bitches” he often encounters. He criticizes women who see attracting a wealthy man as a career plan, contrasting them with the song's subject. When he offers to buy her a drink at a bar, she declines, a move he finds “kind of bizarre” but respectable, as it signals her independence. T.I. appreciates that she isn't looking for a handout and has her own financial stability, suggesting she’s too mature and self-sufficient for the games other women play. He ends his verse by encouraging her to wave at the “bitches hating on you with they friends,” a triumphant acknowledgment of her elevated status.

Drake returns for the final verse, continuing the theme of the woman's independence. He reflects on his own past preferences for mature, educated women who were financially secure enough to even lend him money if needed. He reminisces about a friend’s girlfriend who drove a purple Bentley, a symbol of ultimate success and independence. The verse serves as a shout-out to homeowners and women with diplomas—those who have achieved a level of success that commands respect. The song culminates in a celebratory outro, a roll call for independent women from different cities (New York, L.A., Atlanta) to show off and let the haters know that “everything big.” The Cinderella references and ad-libs from Swizz Beatz create a triumphant, almost cinematic finale, celebrating the confident, self-made woman who is the hero of the narrative.

"Fancy" was released on August 3, 2010, as the fourth single from Drake's debut studio album, Thank Me Later. The song features vocals from American rappers T.I. and Swizz Beatz, with production handled by Swizz Beatz and Drake's longtime collaborator, Noah "40" Shebib.

The track has a well-traveled history. Producer Swizz Beatz revealed that the song was originally his own, then intended for Mary J. Blige's album Stronger with Each Tear, but it missed the deadline. During a late-night phone call, Drake mentioned he needed a song for the ladies for his upcoming album. Swizz Beatz played "Fancy" as a reference, and Drake immediately insisted he needed that specific track. Swizz Beatz obliged, and Blige's vocals were kept as uncredited background vocals on the final version.

The song prominently samples the 1974 soul track "I Don't Want to Play Around" by Ace Spectrum. The creation also involved writers Aubrey Graham (Drake), Clifford Harris (T.I.), Kasseem Dean (Swizz Beatz), Noah Shebib, and Matthew Samuels (Boi-1da), among others credited for the sample. Swizz Beatz also mentioned that Andre 3000 was considered for a feature, but album deadlines prevented it, leading to T.I.'s inclusion on the track.

A music video directed by Anthony Mandler was filmed, but it was never officially released. Drake expressed dissatisfaction with the final product and considered reshooting it before deciding to move on to promoting his next single.

The rhyme scheme in "Fancy" is intricate yet maintains a natural, conversational flow. Drake employs a mix of end rhymes and internal rhymes to create a fluid rhythm. For example, in the first verse, he rhymes 'awhile,' 'files,' 'hairstyles,' and 'miles,' creating a consistent AAAA pattern that gives the section a cohesive feel. His flow is often relaxed, playing with the beat rather than rigidly adhering to it, a characteristic of his melodic rap style.

The rhythm is built around a mid-tempo hip-hop beat that is steady and allows the lyrics to take center stage. The chorus, delivered by Swizz Beatz, is rhythmically simple and repetitive, making it highly memorable and chant-like. This contrasts with the more complex rhythmic patterns in the verses. A significant rhythmic shift occurs during the song's outro, where the beat slows down to a more relaxed, sensual tempo. This change in rhythm alters the mood from a confident strut to a more intimate celebration, allowing the final lyrical declarations to land with greater emphasis.

Musically, "Fancy" is a blend of hip-hop and R&B, characterized by a smooth, atmospheric production that combines a soulful sample with a driving beat. The production, co-helmed by Swizz Beatz and Noah "40" Shebib, masterfully loops the main sample from Ace Spectrum's "I Don't Want to Play Around." A notable feature is the beat switch in the last two minutes, where the tempo slows down, creating a more sensual and intimate atmosphere that enhances the song's celebratory climax.

Drake's vocal delivery is relaxed and conversational, a signature of his early style, seamlessly blending rapping with melodic sensibilities. This creates a tone of genuine admiration. T.I.'s verse provides a stylistic contrast with a more assertive, classic Southern rap flow, reinforcing the song's hip-hop credentials. Swizz Beatz's contribution is primarily through his high-energy, raspy ad-libs and the infectious hook, which adds a layer of hype and bombast that makes the track an anthem. The interplay between Drake's smooth crooning, T.I.'s confident swagger, and Swizz Beatz's raw energy gives the song its unique and dynamic chemistry.

"Fancy" was a significant track from Drake's highly anticipated debut album, Thank Me Later, and helped solidify his persona as a rapper who could appeal to both male and female audiences with his blend of confidence and sensitivity. The song peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, highlighting its critical and commercial success.

The song's hook and particularly the line "Nails done, hair done, everything did" have had a lasting impact on pop culture, becoming a widely used caption and phrase to denote a state of being perfectly put-together. The track was performed by Drake, Swizz Beatz, and Mary J. Blige at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, a testament to its popularity. Within Drake's discography, "Fancy" is remembered as a quintessential early hit that showcased his knack for creating anthems that celebrate women in a way that felt modern and empowering, a theme he would continue to explore throughout his career.

The song uses material possessions and grooming rituals as symbols of a woman's independence and self-worth rather than vanity. The core refrain, "Nails done, hair done, everything did," is a powerful, concise mantra symbolizing a state of being completely put-together and in control. It represents a meticulous attention to detail that extends beyond appearance to her entire life.

Financial independence is symbolized by several key moments and objects. The woman declining a drink from T.I. is a symbolic rejection of dependency. The mention of a "purple Bentley" driven by a friend's girlfriend serves as an aspirational symbol of ultimate female success and luxury achieved on her own terms. These elements collectively build an image of a modern woman who is not just an object of desire, but a figure of power and self-creation.

The reference to "Cinderella" in the outro is used ironically. While the fairytale character's transformation is reliant on magic and a prince, the women in "Fancy" are self-made. They are their own fairy godmothers, creating their own opulent reality through hard work and ambition ("the girls that got diplomas").

The most prominent recurring phrase is the hook, "Oh, you fancy, huh?" This question, repeated throughout the song, functions as the central motif. It's a playful, rhetorical question that simultaneously acknowledges, teases, and celebrates the woman's sophisticated and well-put-together nature.

Paired with this is the declarative statement, "Nails done, hair done, everything did." This phrase acts as a mantra of completeness and perfection. Its repetition reinforces the idea that the woman's attention to detail is all-encompassing. It has since become an iconic and widely quoted line, symbolizing a state of being fully prepared and looking one's best.

Another recurring idea is the contrast between the "fancy" woman and other, less independent women. This motif is most explicit in T.I.'s verse where he compares her to "superficial gold digging bitches," establishing a clear dichotomy that elevates the song's subject and clarifies the specific qualities being admired: self-sufficiency and substance over superficiality.