All The Way Up (feat. Infared)

"All The Way Up" is an anthem of success, wealth, and unwavering confidence. The song's central message is about reaching the highest level of achievement and being unstoppable. The lyrics are a braggadocious celebration of a lavish lifestyle, filled with references to luxury cars, expensive fashion, and an abundance of money. It's a declaration of dominance in the hip-hop world, with the artists asserting that they run the game and have no intention of leaving. The recurring line, "Nothin' can stop me, I'm all the way up," encapsulates the song's theme of invincibility and ultimate success. The track also touches on the classic hip-hop narrative of rising from humble or difficult beginnings to a life of opulence, as symbolized by the line, "Just left the big house to a bigger house," which metaphorically represents moving from prison to a mansion.

The song is a powerful and unapologetic declaration of reaching the pinnacle of success and reveling in the opulent lifestyle that accompanies it. From the very beginning, the lyrics establish a tone of invincibility with the recurring chant, "Nothin' can stop me, I'm all the way up." This phrase serves as the central theme, a mantra of self-assurance and triumph over any obstacles.

The verses, delivered by Fat Joe and Remy Ma, paint a vivid picture of immense wealth and status. They boast about their possessions, from high-end luxury cars like Bentley coupes to expensive jewelry and designer items, such as Chanel crocodile bags and Himalayan Birkin bags, which are symbols of extreme affluence. The lyrics are filled with imagery of a life of excess, including references to constant partying, drug use (weed and molly), and an unending flow of money. The line, "Countin' up this money, we ain't never sleepin'," emphasizes a relentless hustle and the continuous accumulation of wealth. There's a clear sense of having transcended previous struggles, as articulated in the line, "Just left the big house to a bigger house," a metaphorical journey from hardship (prison) to a life of luxury and freedom.

The artists assert their dominance and longevity in the highly competitive music industry. Phrases like, "My n****s run the game, we ain't ever leavin'," stake their claim as permanent fixtures at the top of the hip-hop world. The comparison of career achievements to championship rings further solidifies this image of victory and sustained success. There's also a clever play on words and a sense of one-upmanship, as seen in the line, "You got V12, I got 12 V's," suggesting a level of wealth that far surpasses others. The narrative is not just about personal success but also about the collective triumph of their crew. The song is a celebration of their journey, a testament to their resilience, and a bold statement that they have reached a level of success from which they cannot be brought down. The overall message is one of extreme confidence, ambition, and the celebration of making it to the very top against all odds.

"All The Way Up" was released on March 2, 2016, as the lead single from the collaborative album "Plata O Plomo" by Fat Joe and Remy Ma. The song features French Montana and Infared. The track was produced by Edsclusive and the production duo Cool & Dre. It was recorded at Diamond District Studios in New York City. According to Infared, the hook came to him instantly when he heard the beat. There was a lawsuit filed by a Miami rapper named Fly Havana (Eric A. Elliott), who claimed to have co-written the song in 2015 with Infared and was not properly credited or compensated. Elliott alleged that he met with Fat Joe, who gave him $5,000 and promised more money that never materialized. The song's success led to several remixes, including a notable version featuring Jay-Z, which marked the end of a long-standing feud between him and Fat Joe.

The rhythmic foundation of "All The Way Up" is a driving beat with a prominent kick drum and trap-influenced hi-hats. The song has a tempo of approximately 117 BPM. The flow of the rappers is confident and sits comfortably on top of the beat. The rhyme scheme is predominantly characterized by couplets, with many lines ending in perfect or near-perfect rhymes, which contributes to the song's catchy and memorable quality. For instance, in Fat Joe's verse, you can find rhymes like "Rolexes" and "breakfast," and "reckless" and "nothings." The hook, with its simple and repetitive phrasing, creates a powerful and easily chantable chorus. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental creates a high-energy and celebratory atmosphere that is central to the song's appeal.

"All The Way Up" employs several stylistic techniques to create its powerful and memorable effect. The song is built around a prominent horn riff that creates a triumphant and anthemic feel. The production, handled by Edsclusive and Cool & Dre, combines elements of classic '90s New York hip-hop with modern trap hi-hats, giving it a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary. The vocal delivery from Fat Joe and Remy Ma is confident and braggadocious, reinforcing the lyrical themes of success and dominance. The structure of the song, with its repetitive and catchy hook sung by Infared, makes it highly memorable and perfect for clubs and radio play. Lyrically, the song uses hyperbole and vivid imagery to paint a picture of an extravagant lifestyle. There is also clever wordplay, such as the "V12" versus "12 V's" line. The inclusion of a bridge by French Montana adds another layer to the track, providing a melodic contrast to the hard-hitting verses.

"All The Way Up" was a significant commercial success and had a notable cultural impact. It peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking a major comeback for Fat Joe and Remy Ma. The song was certified triple platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It received two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The track was also a huge club and radio hit, becoming an anthem for success and celebration. The song spawned numerous remixes, with the most famous one featuring Jay-Z, which was culturally significant as it publicly marked the end of a long-standing feud between the two rappers. Other remixes featured artists like Drake, Snoop Dogg, and Daddy Yankee, further extending the song's reach. The song's popularity was also reflected in its wins at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and Soul Train Music Awards.

The lyrics of "All The Way Up" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its themes of wealth and success.

• "The big house to a bigger house": This is a powerful metaphor for upward mobility and overcoming adversity. "The big house" is a common slang term for prison, so this line signifies a journey from incarceration and struggle to immense wealth and freedom.
• "Champion sound, yeah, I got a few rings": This metaphor compares the artist's success in the music industry to that of a championship-winning sports team, with the "rings" symbolizing their numerous achievements and hit records.
• "Himalayan, Birkin cocaine": This line uses luxury items to symbolize extreme wealth. The Himalayan Birkin is one of the most expensive and sought-after handbags in the world, and comparing it to cocaine alludes to its addictive desirability and high value.
• "You got V12, I got 12 V's": This is a clever play on words that serves as a boast about superior wealth. A V12 is a powerful car engine, but the lyric suggests the artist owns twelve vehicles, a significant step up from just one luxury car.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is the hook, "Nothin' can stop me, I'm all the way up." This phrase is repeated throughout the song and serves as its central message and a powerful affirmation of success and invincibility. Another recurring motif is the general theme of opulence and luxury, with repeated references to high-end brands, expensive possessions, and a lifestyle of excess. The phrase "all the way up" itself is a recurring motif, used not only in the hook but also at the end of several lines to emphasize the extent of the artists' success. The idea of being at the top and looking down on the competition is another recurring theme that reinforces the song's braggadocious nature.