Cinderella

The song "Cinderella" by Future and Metro Boomin, featuring Travis Scott, uses the classic fairy tale as a metaphor to explore themes of wealth, materialism, and transactional relationships in a modern, hedonistic context. At its core, the song is a portrayal of a lifestyle defined by extravagant excess, where the protagonist (Future) assumes the role of a modern-day prince who transforms a woman's life not through magic, but through his immense wealth. The 'Cinderella' in this narrative is a woman who is elevated to a life of luxury, adorned with designer goods and expensive jewelry, symbolized by phrases like "Hot chocolate, Cinderella" and references to "Rosetta stones forever." This subverts the traditional fairy tale by replacing romantic love with material provision as the primary vehicle for transformation.

Furthermore, the song delves into the darker side of this opulent lifestyle. The recurring line, "Sip red, talk to the devil," alludes to the use of lean (a codeine-based drink) and suggests a casual dalliance with danger and moral ambiguity. This juxtaposition of immense wealth with self-destructive behavior creates a sense of conflict, suggesting that the glamorous life portrayed comes at a cost. The narrative isn't about a fairy tale romance but rather explores the fleeting nature of relationships built on pleasure and material gain. Ultimately, "Cinderella" is a braggadocious anthem that romanticizes a lifestyle of indulgence while subtly hinting at the underlying peril and emptiness that can accompany it.

The narrative unfolds as a portrayal of a hedonistic and materialistic lifestyle, steeped in luxury and a flirtation with danger. The protagonist, a figure of immense wealth and influence, describes a world where money is abundant, symbolized by stacks of cash—or "racks"—that are perpetually stuck together. This affluence is juxtaposed with a darker, more perilous side of life, captured in the recurring line, "Sip red, talk to the devil," which suggests indulgence in substances like lean (codeine syrup) and a casual conversation with one's inner demons or the literal embodiment of evil. This establishes a central theme: the intoxicating yet potentially corrupting nature of extreme wealth and excess.

Central to the story is the "Cinderella" figure, a woman who becomes the object of the narrator's affection and generosity. Unlike the classic fairy tale, this transformation is not magical but material. She is adorned with opulent gifts, described through vivid, luxurious imagery: "Hot yellow, canary yellow" and "Rosetta stones forever" evoke images of high-end jewelry, specifically yellow diamonds and perhaps alluding to the timeless, almost ancient value of his wealth. The woman is his "Hot chocolate, Cinderella," a term of endearment that combines her desirability with the transformative role she plays in his narrative. He elevates her status through his riches, turning her into a modern-day princess defined by the luxury brands and lavish experiences he provides.

The song delves deep into the specifics of this opulent world. References to high-end watches like Audemars Piguet ("AP, a presidential"), expensive cars ("New bitch, new car, it's levels"), and the logistics of his street-level enterprise ("Trap off a tractor-trailer") paint a detailed picture of his life. There's a sense of loyalty to his origins, with the line "Never go against the ghetto," suggesting that despite his success, he remains grounded in the principles of his past. This is a life of constant elevation, where every acquisition, from a new car to a new partner, represents a new level of success. The relationship dynamic portrayed is transactional; the woman's allure is tied to his ability to provide, as seen in the boastful line, "Bad bitch gon' f*ck my bezel," where his expensive watch becomes a symbol of his seductive power.

The collaboration with another artist adds a complementary perspective, reinforcing the themes of shared success and a detached, almost carefree approach to relationships and consequences. This secondary voice speaks of managing multiple women ("This b*tch made that b*tch jealous"), avoiding legal trouble ("go duckin' a felony"), and the disorienting effects of substance use ("blew out what I'm inhalin'"). The narrative concludes not with a fairy tale ending, but with a reaffirmation of this cyclical, excessive lifestyle. The repetition of the central motifs—the money, the devil, and Cinderella—solidifies the idea that this is a perpetual state of being, a dark fairy tale where happiness and fulfillment are measured in carats and currency, and the "happily ever after" is simply the continuation of indulgence.

"Cinderella" is a track from the highly anticipated collaborative studio album WE DON'T TRUST YOU by Future and Metro Boomin, which was released on March 22, 2024. The song features a guest appearance from fellow artist Travis Scott. The production was handled by a team of notable producers, including Metro Boomin himself, alongside Allen Ritter and Dre Moon.

The song had a history long before its official release, existing in various forms as leaks and snippets online. Travis Scott first teased a version of the track on September 17, 2022, during a residency at Zouk nightclub in Las Vegas, leading many to believe it was an outtake from his album Utopia. Leaked versions, sometimes titled "Family Forever," circulated on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube in late 2023, with some fan-made versions even using AI to finish incomplete portions. An unofficial upload garnered nearly 3 million plays on Spotify.

The complete, official version of the song was debuted live on March 18, 2024, when Future and Metro Boomin, joined by Travis Scott, headlined the Rolling Loud music festival in California, just four days before the album's release. Upon release, it was ranked by Billboard as the sixth-best song on the album.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Cinderella" are characteristic of the trap genre, prioritizing flow, cadence, and mood over complex, traditional rhyme schemes.

Rhythm and Tempo:

The song is set at a tempo of 130 BPM, a common speed for trap music that allows for both energetic, syncopated hi-hat patterns and a laid-back vocal delivery. Metro Boomin's production provides a rhythmic foundation built on booming 808 bass drums and intricate hi-hat rolls. This creates a hypnotic and driving rhythm that Future and Travis Scott's vocals float over. Future, in particular, uses a relaxed, melodic flow that often plays with the beat, sometimes falling slightly behind it, which contributes to the song's woozy, psychedelic feel.

Rhyme Scheme:

The rhyme scheme is generally loose and irregular, typical of contemporary hip-hop. Future often employs couplets and internal rhymes to create a sense of cohesion within his verses. For example, in the lines:

"Racks on, racks stuck together
Sip red, talk to the devil
Rosetta stones forever
High yellow, canary yellow
Hot chocolate, Cinderella"

He uses a series of slant rhymes and assonance (together/devil/forever/yellow/Cinderella) to link the lines together smoothly, creating a continuous, flowing effect rather than a rigid, predictable pattern. The focus is on the sonic quality of the words and the overall vibe they create, which complements the atmospheric production.

"Cinderella" showcases the signature styles of Future, Metro Boomin, and Travis Scott, combining their strengths into a cohesive track.

Musical Techniques:

• Production: Metro Boomin, along with co-producers Allen Ritter and Dre Moon, crafts a dark, atmospheric, and luxurious soundscape. The beat is characterized by a swirling, ethereal synth melody punctuated by deep, booming 808s, creating a backdrop that is simultaneously haunting and opulent. The tempo is set at 130 BPM in the key of F Minor. This production style, often described as psychedelic trap, sets a dreamlike yet unsettling stage for the vocals.
• Vocal Delivery: Future employs his trademark melodic, autotune-soaked flow, delivering lyrics with a laid-back, mesmerizing quality. His delivery blurs the line between rapping and singing, enhancing the track's hypnotic feel. Travis Scott contributes with his signature heavily processed, atmospheric vocals and ad-libs, which add another layer to the dreamlike state created by the production.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor: The entire song functions as an extended metaphor, comparing the act of elevating a woman's lifestyle through wealth to the Cinderella fairy tale.
• Imagery: The lyrics are rich with vivid imagery of wealth and luxury, using brand names and descriptive language to paint a picture of opulence (e.g., "AP, a presidential," "Hot yellow, canary yellow").
• Juxtaposition: The track juxtaposes glamorous, fairy-tale-like imagery ("Cinderella," "Rosetta stones") with gritty, dangerous themes ("talk to the devil," "trap off a tractor-trailer"), creating a sense of tension and complexity.

"Cinderella" was released as the ninth track on WE DON'T TRUST YOU, the first collaborative studio album by Future and Metro Boomin. The album itself was a major cultural event in 2024, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 and making headlines largely due to the track "Like That," which featured a verse from Kendrick Lamar that escalated ongoing tensions with Drake and J. Cole.

While not the primary focus of the media frenzy, "Cinderella" was a highly anticipated track due to its long history of leaks and teasers dating back to 2022. Its official release was a significant moment for fans who had been listening to unofficial versions for years. The song was praised as a standout on the album, with Billboard ranking it the sixth-best track and critics noting that the snippet lived up to the hype. The collaboration between three of hip-hop's most influential figures—Future, Metro Boomin, and Travis Scott—was in itself a noteworthy event, highlighting their established chemistry. The track is a quintessential example of their signature psychedelic trap sound, further cementing its place within the contemporary hip-hop landscape. It showcases the culmination of a long and fruitful partnership between Future and Metro Boomin, who have been shaping the sound of rap for over a decade.

The song is built around the central metaphor of the Cinderella fairy tale, re-imagined through a lens of modern hip-hop culture and materialism.

• Cinderella: The title character represents a woman who undergoes a significant life transformation. However, instead of a fairy godmother, her benefactor is the wealthy narrator (Future). Her elevation is not to royalty but to a lifestyle of extreme luxury. The term is also used as a descriptor for an ideal, desirable woman, as in "Hot chocolate, Cinderella," which likely refers to a beautiful Black woman.
• The Prince: Future and Travis Scott embody the role of the modern-day prince, whose power to transform and attract comes from wealth ("racks on racks") and status, rather than noble birthright.
• Glass Slipper / Magical Objects: The magical elements of the fairy tale are replaced with tangible, high-value luxury items. "Rosetta stones forever" metaphorically likens his jewelry to priceless, ancient artifacts, symbolizing eternal wealth. An "AP, a presidential" (Audemars Piguet watch) and other designer goods serve as the modern equivalent of the glass slipper—symbols of status and belonging in this elite world.
• "Sip red, talk to the devil": This recurring phrase is a potent metaphor for the dark side of this lavish lifestyle. "Sip red" is a direct reference to drinking lean (codeine promethazine syrup), a symbol of hedonistic indulgence. "Talking to the devil" symbolizes a flirtation with danger, moral compromise, and the potential consequences that come with a life of excess and trapping ("Trap off a tractor-trailer"). It frames the luxurious fairy tale within a more sinister, high-stakes reality.

"Cinderella" utilizes several recurring phrases and motifs to reinforce its central themes of luxury, danger, and transformation.

• "Cinderella": The most significant recurring motif is the name "Cinderella" itself. It appears in the chorus and is used to frame the entire narrative. Its repetition solidifies the song's central metaphor of a modern, materialistic fairy tale where wealth provides the transformation.
• "Sip red, talk to the devil": This phrase is repeated multiple times by Future and serves as a dark, hedonistic mantra for the song. It encapsulates the motif of indulgence in substance abuse (specifically lean) and the inherent risks or moral compromises associated with the lavish lifestyle being described. Its recurrence constantly reminds the listener of the perilous underbelly beneath the glamorous surface.
• "Racks on, racks stuck together": This line, repeated at the beginning of verses, functions as a motif for overwhelming, endless wealth. It creates a vivid image of so much money that it literally sticks together, emphasizing the sheer scale of the narrator's financial power.
• Luxury Imagery ("Rosetta stones," "canary yellow"): The recurring references to high-end jewelry and vibrant, expensive colors act as a motif for opulence. These phrases are repeated in the chorus to consistently reinforce the theme of material wealth as the foundation of this modern fairy tale.