No Limit

"No Limit" is an anthemic track celebrating boundless ambition, wealth, and hedonistic pleasure. The song's title itself is a reference to Master P's iconic record label, No Limit Records, which G-Eazy was influenced by, particularly during his time living in New Orleans. The core message revolves around the idea of living without constraints, whether financial, social, or personal. The recurring line, "Fuck with me and get some money," serves as a transactional and boastful hook, suggesting that association with the artists leads directly to financial gain and an elevated lifestyle. Each artist's verse explores this theme from a different angle: G-Eazy details his rise to a rockstar status fueled by relentless partying and success; A$AP Rocky provides a raw, catchy chorus that frames sexual encounters in a braggadocious manner; and Cardi B delivers a powerful verse asserting her financial independence and sexual autonomy, flipping the male-dominated narrative by stating she's the one in control. The song collectively paints a picture of modern celebrity culture, where success is measured by material wealth, sexual conquests, and a non-stop, indulgent lifestyle. It's both a celebration of achieving the ultimate success and a commentary on the 'beautiful and damned' nature of that life.

The song unfolds as a brazen celebration of a hedonistic, high-flying lifestyle, characterized by boundless success, wealth, and sexual conquest. The narrative is driven by three distinct voices, each adding a layer to the overarching theme of living without constraints.

It begins with a provocative and transactional view of relationships, where repeated sexual encounters escalate in commitment, from a one-time affair to something more permanent. This sets a tone of casual yet calculated indulgence. The central message, repeated throughout, is an invitation to associate with the artists to gain money and status, explicitly linking personal connection to financial reward. It’s a dangerous, alluring world where safety isn't guaranteed for anyone drawn into its orbit.

G-Eazy's verses paint a portrait of a relentless work ethic fueling a life of excess. He describes his iconic status, his constant state of being 'lit' and never sober, and the chaos of his life, which he compares to a spicy, mixed dish like jambalaya. He boasts about his non-stop party lifestyle, including a claim of having three hundred one-night stands in a year, an obvious hyperbole meant to emphasize his rockstar existence. He references his affinity for high fashion, like Saint Laurent, noting the transition from aspiring admirer to someone who receives these luxury goods for free. His narrative is one of a dream realized, moving from obscurity to a level of fame where he is the main event, a 'cash cow'.

Cardi B's entrance injects a dose of fierce, female power and autonomy. She flips the narrative's perspective, asserting her own control and dominance. Her verse is a whirlwind of luxury brands—Prada, Moët, Rolex—symbolizing her rapid ascent to the top of the industry. She doesn't just participate in the transactional theme; she owns it, stating she has sex and then gets paid, subverting traditional power dynamics. She uses a clever metaphor, threatening to 'put a white boy on Sazón,' implying she can add her own Latin flavor and spice to G-Eazy's life, potentially overpowering him with her vibrant and assertive personality. Her lyrics are a bold declaration of her worth, sexual prowess, and financial independence.

The song concludes by reinforcing these themes of insatiable ambition and constant hustle. The artists portray a world of flashy luxuries, sexual dominance, and an unwavering drive. It's a testament to their achievements and a declaration of their 'no limit' philosophy, where they continuously push boundaries in their careers and personal lives, celebrating the chaotic and beautiful damnation of their success.

"No Limit" was released on September 8, 2017, as the lead single from G-Eazy's fifth studio album, The Beautiful & Damned. The track was produced by the acclaimed duo Boi-1da and Allen Ritter. The song's creation was a somewhat serendipitous event. G-Eazy and Boi-1da were in a studio session when Boi-1da played the beat, which immediately captivated G-Eazy. Coincidentally, A$AP Rocky was working in the adjacent studio room, heard the beat, and walked in, expressing his interest. The hook, "If I hit it one time, I'ma pipe her," was freestyled by Rocky during this impromptu session. G-Eazy, a longtime fan of Cardi B's authentic energy, felt she was the perfect fit to complete the track. He had met her about a year prior and recognized her star potential, believing she represented the raw, honest sound of contemporary music. The track was then sent to Cardi B, who recorded her verse, solidifying the collaboration. G-Eazy first debuted the song live with Cardi B in New Orleans during his Bud Light Dive Bar Tour on August 30, 2017. The beat notably incorporates a sample from "Slob On My Knob" by the Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia. An official remix was later released featuring French Montana, Belly, and Juicy J (a member of Three 6 Mafia), which further authenticated the sample's use.

The rhyme and rhythm of "No Limit" are central to its energetic and hypnotic appeal. The song is set at a high tempo of approximately 176 BPM, driving its club-friendly and intense feel. The rhythmic structure is defined by classic trap elements: a deep, booming 808 bass pattern, rapid-fire hi-hats, and a syncopated snare that creates a bouncing, head-nodding rhythm. The flow of the rappers, particularly the hook's cadence borrowed from "Slob On My Knob," creates a distinct rhythmic interplay with the beat. The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, relying on couplets and internal rhymes to maintain momentum. For example, in G-Eazy's verse, lines like "Rari shoppin', mean I'm coppin' / Hella poppin', I need options" use end rhymes to create a punchy effect. Cardi B employs a more complex and aggressive multisyllabic rhyme scheme in her verse: "My career is takin' off / These hoes jogging in place," showcasing her lyrical dexterity. The repetition of the main hooks and chorus creates a rhythmic anchor, making the song highly memorable and effective in a live or club setting.

"No Limit" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to create its aggressive, high-energy party atmosphere.

• Musical Style: The song is built on a foundation of a hard-hitting trap beat with a prominent, rumbling 808 bassline and crisp hi-hats, characteristic of the genre. The production by Boi-1da and Allen Ritter features a dark, hypnotic melody loop. A key musical element is the interpolation of the cadence and flow from Three 6 Mafia's "Slob On My Knob," which gives the track a nostalgic and authentic Southern hip-hop feel.
• Vocal Delivery: The three artists provide distinct vocal performances that create a dynamic narrative. A$AP Rocky's delivery on the hook is laid-back yet assertive. G-Eazy's verses are delivered with his signature smooth, confident flow, often using a conversational and braggadocious tone. Cardi B's verse is a stark contrast, delivered with aggressive, high-energy intensity that makes her presence immediately felt.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics are filled with hyperbole, such as G-Eazy's claim of having "three hundred one-night stands" in a year, to emphasize a larger-than-life persona. Repetition is used extensively, especially in the chorus and hook ("Fuck with me and get some money," "it ain't safe"), to create memorable and chantable moments. The song also features pop culture references, like the "Damn Daniel" meme, grounding the boasts in a contemporary context.

"No Limit" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, becoming a massive commercial success and a staple in clubs and on radio. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest-charting single for both G-Eazy and A$AP Rocky at the time. For Cardi B, it was her second top-five hit, further solidifying her meteoric rise to stardom following "Bodak Yellow". The track was certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States, signifying over seven million units in sales and streams. Its popularity was fueled by its infectious beat, memorable hooks, and the combined star power of its collaborators. The song's influence extended to its official remix, which featured hip-hop heavyweights French Montana, Juicy J, and Belly. The music video for the remix also gained significant attention. The track's use of a sample from Three 6 Mafia's "Slob On My Knob" helped repopularize the classic Memphis rap sound, and Juicy J's appearance on the remix was seen as a nod to the song's roots. "No Limit" remains one of G-Eazy's signature songs and a defining track of the late 2017 hip-hop landscape.

"No Limit" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its themes of wealth, power, and hedonism.

• Financial Transaction as Relationship: The primary lyrical motif, "Fuck with me and get some money," functions as a stark metaphor for relationships in the world the artists inhabit. It equates intimacy and loyalty with financial gain, symbolizing a lifestyle where personal connections are inherently transactional.
• Sazón Spice: In her verse, Cardi B's line, "Put a white boy on Sazón / I might turn G-Eazy out," is a potent cultural metaphor. Sazón is a popular Latin seasoning; here, Cardi uses it to symbolize her ability to add her unique, vibrant, and powerful 'flavor' or influence to G-Eazy's life. It represents her cultural identity and her power to dominate and change the dynamic of their collaboration and the world she's entering.
• Jambalaya: G-Eazy uses the culinary image of "stirring up the pot, jambalaya" to describe his life. This metaphor effectively captures the chaotic, spicy, and mixed nature of his existence—a blend of fame, parties, work, and relationships all thrown together into one complex and intense dish.
• Luxury Brands: The frequent name-dropping of high-end brands like Rolex, Prada, and Saint Laurent serves as a direct symbol of status, success, and wealth. It's a shorthand to communicate the level of luxury the artists have achieved. G-Eazy also highlights his journey by contrasting having to buy these items with now receiving them for free.

"No Limit" is built around several powerful, recurring phrases and motifs that define its identity and message.

• "No Limit": The title phrase itself is a central motif, repeated by G-Eazy as "No limit, I'm a fuckin' soldier." This signifies a philosophy of boundless ambition and the removal of all constraints on his success and lifestyle. It's a direct nod to Master P's influential record label, reinforcing a theme of independent hustle and empire-building.
• "Fuck with me and get some money": This is the song's most prominent recurring line and its core transactional proposition. Repeated 16 times, it functions as the main hook and chorus, hammering home the idea that associating with the artists is a direct path to wealth and status. Its constant repetition makes it an inescapable, anthemic chant.
• "If I hit it... I'ma wife her": A$AP Rocky's escalating hook ("If I hit it one time, I'ma pipe her / If I hit it two times, then I like her / If I fuck three times, I'ma wife her") is a recurring motif that outlines a crude, formulaic approach to relationships and sexual conquest. It's a memorable and controversial part of the song that establishes a tone of casual debauchery.
• "It ain't safe": This phrase, repeated after the hook, acts as a warning and a boast. It suggests that the artists' world is dangerous and chaotic, but also thrilling and exclusive. It implies that their level of fame and the lifestyle that comes with it are hazardous for outsiders.