Rich Flex

"Rich Flex" is an audacious anthem that celebrates wealth, success, and unapologetic assertiveness. The song revolves around the concept of the "rich flex," which means to boastfully display one's wealth and achievements. Drake and 21 Savage use this theme to describe their lavish lifestyles and their dominant positions in the hip-hop industry. The lyrics create a bold narrative of power dynamics, resilience, and intricate wordplay that centers on their opulent lives and the challenges they've faced.

A significant aspect of the song is the dynamic between Drake and 21 Savage. Drake's opening lines, where he asks 21 Savage to perform certain actions for him, establish a narrative of a powerful figure who delegates tasks to his trusted associate. This can be interpreted as Drake showcasing his elevated status, where he no longer needs to directly engage with his rivals. It also highlights the chemistry and collaborative spirit between the two artists.

The song also delves into themes of relationships and priorities. Drake's lyrics often express a dismissive attitude towards women, treating them as disposable status symbols. He makes it clear that his work and success take precedence over romantic entanglements, a sentiment encapsulated in the line, "I got dick for you if I'm not working, girl". This reflects a hedonistic and narcissistic perspective that is consistent with Drake's brand.

Furthermore, "Rich Flex" contains numerous references to their careers, other artists, and their respective crews, such as Slaughter Gang and Young Money. These nods to hip-hop history and their peers serve to solidify their place within the genre's elite. Ultimately, the song is a powerful statement of their dominance, a reflection of their journey to the top, and a confident assertion of their enduring success in the face of any opposition.

The song opens with Drake repeatedly asking 21 Savage to do something for him, setting a tone of camaraderie and delegation. He asks 21 Savage to show off his wealth, or 'hit a lil' rich flex,' and to handle their adversaries, implying Drake has reached a level of success where he doesn't need to deal with such matters himself. This introduction establishes a power dynamic and a narrative of shared success and loyalty.

21 Savage's verses paint a picture of a lavish and dangerous lifestyle. He raps about experiences in strip clubs, brandishing weapons, and his general distrust of others, particularly women who might betray him. His lyrics are direct and unapologetic, showcasing a gritty and street-hardened persona. He boasts about his expensive jewelry and his readiness for violence, contrasting with Drake's more melodic and emotionally varied delivery later in the song.

Drake's part of the song continues the theme of opulence and untouchable status. He references his own crew enjoying a high-end lifestyle and dismisses those who underestimate him. He positions himself as a veteran in the rap game, warning newcomers not to make the mistake of challenging him. There's a recurring theme of prioritizing work over relationships, as he tells a woman he's only available when he's not busy with his career. This reflects a single-minded focus on maintaining his wealth and influence.

Throughout the track, both artists drop references to their respective record labels and affiliations, such as Slaughter Gang and Young Money, grounding their boasts in their real-world success and history within the music industry. The song's structure, which includes a notable beat switch, allows for a shift in energy and showcases their versatility. The narrative arc moves from a shared display of power to individual reflections on their journeys and current standing. The overall story is one of ascending to the top and navigating the challenges and luxuries that come with it, all while maintaining a loyal inner circle and a confrontational stance towards outsiders.

"Rich Flex" was released on November 4, 2022, as the opening track of the collaborative studio album "Her Loss" by Drake and 21 Savage. The album itself was a surprise to many fans, announced just a week before its release on October 31, 2022. The song was recorded between 2021 and 2022 at The Chapel studio in Toronto.

The production of "Rich Flex" was handled by a team of prominent producers including Vinylz, Tay Keith, FNZ (Finatik N Zac), and BoogzDaBeast. The track features a notable beat switch, a technique also used in their previous collaboration "Jimmy Cooks". This dynamic production provides a backdrop for the rappers' contrasting styles.

The song incorporates interpolations of several other tracks, including Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage," T.I.'s "24's," and 21 Savage's own "Red Opps." It also samples "I Want You, Girl" by Sugar and "Nora's Transformation" by Charles Bernstein from the 1973 film "The Invasion of the Bee Girls." The use of the Megan Thee Stallion interpolation garnered particular attention upon the song's release, as another track on the album, "Circo Loco," sparked controversy over lyrics that were perceived as an accusation against her.

The music video for "Rich Flex" was released on November 17, 2022, and was presented as a "Her Loss Recap." Shot by Drake himself in a home-video style, it features footage of the duo recording, traveling, and socializing with friends and other artists like Lil Yachty and Jack Harlow.

"Rich Flex" features a dynamic and varied rhythmic structure. The song's tempo shifts with the beat switch, starting at approximately 153 BPM and increasing to around 160 BPM. This change in pace contributes to the song's energetic and evolving feel. The rhythmic delivery of both artists is a key component of the track's style.

21 Savage's verses are often characterized by a steady, deliberate flow that emphasizes the hard-hitting nature of his lyrics. His rhymes are often direct and impactful. Drake, in contrast, employs a more fluid and melodic flow, often switching between rapping and a more sung delivery. His use of pauses and changes in pace adds a dynamic quality to his verses. The rhyme schemes are generally complex, with instances of internal rhymes and multi-syllable rhymes, which are characteristic of modern hip-hop. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying beat is a crucial element, with both rappers skillfully navigating the production's shifts and changes. The use of ad-libs and background vocals also adds to the rhythmic texture of the song.

"Rich Flex" employs several notable literary and musical techniques. The song's structure is built around a call-and-response dynamic, particularly in the introduction where Drake repeatedly asks 21 Savage to perform an action. This creates a conversational and engaging opening.

A key musical technique is the use of a prominent beat switch, which divides the song into distinct sections and allows for a shift in energy and flow. This is a characteristic feature of some of Drake's and 21 Savage's collaborations, adding an element of surprise and showcasing their versatility. The production features a bass-heavy, trap-influenced beat with hard-hitting drums, melodic hip-hop undertones, and a prominent piano melody in the second half.

Lyrically, the song is characterized by boastful and assertive wordplay. Both artists utilize a confident and often arrogant narrative voice. Drake's delivery is often smooth and melodic, contrasting with 21 Savage's grittier and more deadpan flow, creating a compelling juxtaposition. The song also makes extensive use of slang and cultural references specific to the hip-hop world, which serves to establish their authenticity and connect with their target audience. There is also a notable use of interpolation, with the song weaving in elements from other well-known tracks, which adds layers of meaning and pays homage to their influences.

"Rich Flex" had a significant cultural impact upon its release. The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming 21 Savage's highest-charting song as a lead artist. It also reached number one on the Billboard Global 200, making it Drake's second and 21 Savage's first song to top that chart. The album "Her Loss" also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

One of the most notable aspects of the song's cultural influence was the viral meme trend it sparked. Drake's opening lines, particularly "21, can you do somethin' for me?", were widely parodied on social media platforms like TikTok, with users creating humorous videos based on the perceived nature of his request to 21 Savage. Drake himself acknowledged the meme trend in an interview, indicating his awareness of his polarizing public persona.

The song was also seen as a return to a more rap-focused sound for Drake after his previous house-influenced album, "Honestly, Nevermind." The collaboration was praised by many critics, with 21 Savage's performance, in particular, receiving acclaim for bringing a level of authenticity and skill that complemented Drake's style. The song further solidified the successful partnership between Drake and 21 Savage and has become one of their most iconic collaborations.

The central metaphor of the song is the "rich flex" itself, which symbolizes not just material wealth but also power, status, and dominance in the competitive world of hip-hop. The act of "flexing" is a performance of success, meant to intimidate rivals and impress onlookers.

Drake referring to himself as the "Slaughter Gang CEO" is a significant symbolic gesture. It's a nod to 21 Savage's record label and collective, but by claiming the CEO title, Drake symbolically asserts his own power and influence, aligning himself with the edgier, street-credible image of his collaborator.

The imagery of eating off a "Baccarat plate" serves as a potent symbol of the opulent lifestyle the artists lead. Baccarat is a brand associated with luxury crystal, so this detail paints a vivid picture of extreme wealth and refinement, suggesting that even their everyday experiences are steeped in luxury.

Drake's line about turning the "6 upside down" in a different song is a recurring motif in his work, symbolizing his transformative impact on his hometown of Toronto (often nicknamed "The 6"). While not explicitly in "Rich Flex," this idea of inverting or changing the established order is a key part of his artistic identity and is reflected in the song's themes of rising to the top.

The various references to luxury watch brands like Richard Mille and Patek Philippe are also symbolic. In hip-hop culture, these timepieces are not just accessories but powerful symbols of success and having "made it." The detailed discussion of these watches in analyses of the song underscores their importance as status markers.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Rich Flex" is Drake's repeated request to 21 Savage: "21, can you do somethin' for me?" This line, and its variations, became an iconic part of the song and even sparked a viral meme trend. Its repetition establishes the song's central theme of delegation and power dynamics. The phrase "rich flex" itself is a key motif, encapsulating the song's focus on ostentatious displays of wealth.

Another recurring motif is the reference to "Slaughter Gang," which is 21 Savage's crew and record label. Drake's self-proclamation as the "Slaughter Gang CEO" reinforces this motif and highlights the collaborative nature of the album. There are also recurring themes of violence and street credibility, particularly in 21 Savage's verses, with mentions of guns and confronting enemies. The concept of loyalty to one's crew is another recurring idea, as seen in the line "all the dawgs eating off a Baccarat plate."