Ramen & OJ

"Ramen & OJ" is a powerful anthem about overcoming adversity and achieving success. The title itself is a metaphor for a past life of poverty and struggle, where a simple meal of ramen noodles and orange juice was a staple. The song serves as a reflection on the artists' journey from humble beginnings to their current state of wealth and fame. Both Joyner Lucas and Lil Baby use their verses to paint a vivid picture of their past hardships, including financial instability, relationship problems, and the dangerous allure of street life. The central message is a defiant refusal to return to that former life. The lyrics emphasize a relentless drive for financial security, with Lucas stating he needs money 'like I need to breathe.' It’s a celebration of their hard-earned success, symbolized by mansions and riches, and a testament to their perseverance and determination. The song explores the psychological impact of this journey, including the feeling of being an outsider in their newfound success and the importance of remembering where they came from to fuel their future ambitions.

The song chronicles a journey from poverty to wealth, a classic rags-to-riches narrative central to the hip-hop ethos. It opens with an aggressive declaration of ambition, where the need for money is equated to the fundamental need to breathe. The narrator, Joyner Lucas, establishes his dominance and newfound status, asserting he is 'out of the league' of his detractors and past acquaintances. He paints a picture of a past life filled with hardship and desperation, where survival was a daily battle. This is vividly captured in the recurring hook, which reminisces about days of 'survivin' off ramen and OJ,' walking to work on cold days, and relying on a partner to pay the bills. These memories serve as a powerful motivator, a past that he is determined never to return to. The lyrics detail the gritty realities of this former life, including involvement in illegal activities like selling drugs, the constant fear of law enforcement ('never know when the cars come'), and the jealousy of others ('niggas jealous they wanted to rob us').

As the song progresses, the contrast between then and now becomes sharper. The struggles are juxtaposed with the spoils of success: mansions, wealth, and the respect he now commands. This transformation is not just financial but also personal. He speaks of leveling up, changing his circumstances, and the psychological shift from a 'has-been' to a figure of power. There's a sense of pride and vindication in his tone, a feeling that he has overcome immense odds to reach his current position. He acknowledges the changes in his life but maintains that his core identity, forged in hardship, remains intact. The collaboration with Lil Baby reinforces these themes. Lil Baby's verse echoes the same narrative arc, detailing his own climb from the bottom, the hustle, and the eventual triumph. He speaks of flashbacks to his old life, the constant drive to do better, and the loyalty of his crew. Both artists share a mutual understanding of the struggle, and their verses complement each other to create a cohesive story of ambition, perseverance, and the stark realities of moving from one world to another. The narrative is a testament to their resilience, a celebration of their success, and a defiant message to anyone who doubted them. It's a story of turning pennies into 'hundreds of commas' and the unyielding resolve to never go back to the days of ramen and OJ.

"Ramen & OJ" was released on April 30, 2021, as a collaboration between Joyner Lucas and Lil Baby. The song was written by Gary "Joyner" Lucas, Jr. and Dominique "Lil Baby" Jones. It was produced by Tom French and Glazer, with mixing and mastering handled by Narek Ambar. The collaboration came about after Lucas expressed interest in working with Lil Baby, having been impressed by his song "Drip Too Hard". A notable aspect of the song's creation is its connection to the music-making app Tully, which Joyner Lucas co-founded with his manager, Dhruv Joshi. The platform was used during the creation of the track, and Lucas has promoted it as a tool to empower independent artists. The song was released through Lucas's own independent label, Twenty Nine Music Group. An accompanying music video was released on the same day as the single, depicting the song's themes of moving from a life of crime and struggle to one of luxury.

"Ramen & OJ" features a dynamic interplay of rhyme and rhythm that is characteristic of both artists. Joyner Lucas employs a complex and often fast-paced flow, utilizing multi-syllabic rhymes and internal rhymes to create a dense lyrical texture. For instance, in the lines "I mean what I say and I say what I mean / I ain't no joke, we ain't makin' no memes / If I pull up on 'em, I'm makin' a scene," he uses a consistent rhyme scheme that propels the verse forward. The rhythm of his delivery shifts throughout his verse, accelerating to emphasize aggression and slowing down for more reflective moments. Lil Baby contrasts this with his more melodic, triplet-heavy flow that rides the beat in a distinctive way. The song's rhythm is driven by a trap-influenced drum pattern with prominent hi-hats and a strong bass line. The overall tempo is moderate, allowing space for both the lyrical complexity of Lucas and the melodic cadence of Lil Baby to shine. The hook provides a rhythmic anchor, with a more repetitive and catchy cadence that makes the song memorable.

The song showcases both Joyner Lucas's and Lil Baby's distinct stylistic techniques. Joyner is known for his intricate rhyme schemes, rapid-fire delivery, and narrative-driven lyrics, all of which are present in his verses. He employs vivid imagery and storytelling to contrast his past and present life. Musically, the song is built on a trap beat with a somber piano melody, creating a backdrop that is both reflective and hard-hitting. The use of ad-libs is prevalent, adding emphasis and energy to the lyrics. Lil Baby's contribution features his signature melodic flow, which harmonizes with the beat while still conveying the grittiness of his own come-up story. The vocal delivery from both artists ranges from aggressive and confident to more melodic and introspective, reflecting the emotional shifts in the narrative. The overall production is polished, blending the melodic elements with heavy bass and crisp percussion, characteristic of modern trap and hip-hop.

Upon its release, "Ramen & OJ" was met with positive reception from fans and critics, who praised the collaboration and the artists' performances. The song quickly gained traction, and its music video went viral, accumulating millions of views. While it didn't have a seismic cultural impact on the level of some of Joyner's other work like "I'm Not Racist," it solidified his position as a skilled lyricist and collaborator within the hip-hop community. The song's theme of overcoming poverty is a common trope in hip-hop, but its specific and vivid imagery resonated with many listeners. It performed well on streaming platforms and contributed to the ongoing success of both Joyner Lucas and Lil Baby, who was at a high point in his career at the time. The song is also notable for its connection to the Tully app, which Lucas uses to promote a message of empowerment for independent artists.

The most prominent symbol in the song is the titular "Ramen & OJ". This combination represents the artists' past poverty and struggle, a time when they had to survive on minimal and inexpensive food. It's a powerful and relatable image that encapsulates a life of hardship. The contrast between this simple meal and the luxurious lifestyle they now lead (e.g., buying a mansion) is a central theme. Another metaphor used is the idea of being in a different "league," which Lucas uses to signify his elevated status and success, placing him above his peers and past detractors. The lyrics also employ the metaphor of 'balling like I play for the league,' equating his success in the music industry to that of a professional athlete. The music video further enhances this symbolism by visually contrasting scenes from the 'trap' with life in a mansion on a hill, symbolizing the journey from the bottom to the top.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "Ramen & OJ," which appears in the hook and serves as the central motif for past struggles. The line "I can never go back to the old days, no way" is another crucial recurring phrase that reinforces the song's core theme of moving forward and leaving a difficult past behind. This line is often followed by a list of things the artists will not return to, such as 'walkin' to work on a cold day' and 'thinkin' my ex was my soulmate,' making the past a tangible place they've escaped. The motif of the 'bottom' is also prevalent, with both artists referencing their ascent from a place of hardship and poverty. These recurring elements provide a strong narrative structure to the song, constantly reminding the listener of the journey and the stakes involved.