Ballin' (with Roddy Ricch)

"Ballin'" is a celebratory anthem centered on the theme of achieving success against all odds. The term "ballin'" itself is slang for living a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle. The song's narrative, delivered by Roddy Ricch, contrasts a past life of poverty and struggle with the present reality of affluence and recognition. It's a classic "come-up" story, a staple in hip-hop, where the artist reflects on their journey from financial hardship to prosperity. The lyrics explicitly mention past struggles, such as being broke and engaging in street-level crime to survive, and juxtapose them with current symbols of wealth like Forgiato rims, Christian Louboutin shoes, and expensive jewelry. Beyond a simple boast about wealth, the song carries a message of perseverance, hard work, and the ultimate triumph of achieving one's dreams. It also explores themes of loyalty, remembering those who supported him and calling out those who didn't, and paying homage to fallen friends like Nipsey Hussle, which adds a layer of depth and sincerity to the celebration.

The narrative of the song chronicles a journey from poverty and struggle to immense wealth and success, a classic "rags to riches" tale. The story begins with the protagonist, voiced by Roddy Ricch, immediately establishing his newfound affluent status by putting new, expensive Forgiato rims on his Jeep. This act serves as a powerful opening symbol of his transformation. The lyrics then delve into the harsh realities of his past, acknowledging a time of being broke and engaging in illicit activities like selling crack cocaine on street corners to survive. This period was marked by hardship and danger, a stark contrast to his current life.

A significant portion of the lyrical storytelling is dedicated to flexing the symbols of his success. He can't answer his phone anymore, not out of arrogance, but because he is busy "ballin'," a slang term for living a lavish and successful lifestyle. He reminisces about waking up early to chase money ("getting rags in the morning") and contrasts it with his present where he is rich, causing envy in others. The imagery of luxury is detailed with references to Christian Louboutin's "bloody bottoms," expensive jewelry that shines without needing a camera flash, and upgrading his partner's car. The mention of a Maybach provides a space for reflection, a private, luxurious bubble where he can look back on how far he has come.

The song also touches on the social dynamics that changed with his success. He recalls people who turned their backs on him when he was struggling but are now trying to re-enter his life because of his wealth. This serves as a motivation for his conspicuous consumption; his success is a form of revenge. There's a strong sense of loyalty to those who were with him from the beginning and a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle, referencing running up racks with his 'queen' like Nipsey and Lauren London, which also alludes to their collaboration "Racks in the Middle". He acknowledges the street life and his affiliations, but also expresses a desire for unity and moving beyond petty conflicts, a sentiment amplified by the loss of friends. The story is one of personal vindication, celebrating the fruits of his labor and perseverance while never forgetting the difficult path it took to get there. It's a testament to overcoming adversity and achieving a dream that once seemed distant.

The creation of "Ballin'" began in late 2018. Roddy Ricch and Mustard collaborated in the studio for the first time, not initially with a specific album in mind, but just to create some tracks together. Roddy Ricch has stated that he knew the song was a hit from the moment they made it. Mustard, a seasoned producer from Los Angeles, also felt strongly about the track's potential, deciding to hold onto it for his own album. He kept the song "in the vault for a year," waiting for the right moment to release it as part of his third studio album, Perfect Ten. The song was recorded in 2018 and was eventually released as the third single from the album on August 20, 2019, although it was available with the album's release in June 2019. The production credits are held by Mustard, Justus West, and Gylttryp. The songwriting credits include Mustard (Dijon McFarlane), Roddy Ricch (Rodrick Moore, Jr.), Shah Rukh Zaman Khan, and Donell Jones, with Jones being credited due to the sample of 702's "Get It Together".

The rhyme scheme in "Ballin'" is fluid and often employs internal rhymes and assonance to create a smooth, continuous flow that complements Mustard's production. While not strictly adhering to a simple, repeating end-rhyme pattern like AABB, Roddy Ricch's verses are intricately woven. For example, in the first verse, you see rhymes and near-rhymes like "Jeep," "underneath," and "streets," followed by "team" and "dreams" (which is an unstated part of the hook). He uses multi-syllabic rhymes and connects different lines with shared vowel sounds, a technique common in modern hip-hop that prioritizes flow and cadence over rigid structure. The rhythm is driven by Mustard's signature up-tempo, bouncy trap beat, which is characterized by crisp hi-hats, a strong bassline, and claps. Roddy Ricch's lyrical rhythm is dynamic; he varies his pace, sometimes rapping in a faster, more conversational cadence and then slowing down to emphasize certain lines, particularly in the hook. This interplay between his vocal rhythm and the beat's steady pulse creates the song's infectious, head-nodding quality.

"Ballin'" employs several stylistic techniques that enhance its appeal. Musically, the track is built on Mustard's signature West Coast production style, often described as "ratchet music"—up-tempo, club-oriented, and catchy with a smooth, bouncy beat. A key element is the sample of the R&B group 702's 1997 hit "Get It Together," which provides a soulful, slightly nostalgic undertone that contrasts with the modern trap drums. Roddy Ricch's vocal performance is a standout feature, characterized as a melodic, tenor rap style. He effectively uses a technique of tension and release in his melodies, often hitting a peak high note (E4) to convey emotion, similar to artists like Alicia Keys. His vocal delivery is noted for being authentic and emotive, which helps to make the narrative of struggle and success feel genuine. Lyrically, the song uses vivid imagery and specific cultural references (e.g., Nipsey Hussle, luxury brands) to paint a clear picture of his life. The use of slang and wordplay, such as the "dojo/dough-jo" line, adds a layer of cleverness to the lyrics.

"Ballin'" had a significant cultural impact upon its release. It became a massive commercial success, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was Mustard's highest-charting song as a lead artist. The song was also a major breakthrough for Roddy Ricch, earning him his first Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance and solidifying his position as a rising star in hip-hop. Critically, the song was highly acclaimed, with Complex magazine naming it the Best Song of 2019. It received extensive radio play, hitting #1 on Billboard's Rhythmic and Urban Radio charts. The RIAA has certified the single as 8x platinum. The song's theme of overcoming adversity resonated widely, making it an inspirational anthem for many. Its music video, which depicts younger versions of Mustard and Ricch dreaming of their future success, further amplified this motivational message. The track's popularity also led to its use in other media, including a skit on Roddy Ricch's own debut album, and it later gained viral popularity through AI-generated covers on social media platforms.

"Ballin'" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate the central theme of a 'rags to riches' journey.

• Forgiato Wheels and Luxury Cars: The opening line, "I put the new Forgis on the Jeep," immediately establishes a new level of wealth. Forgiatos are a high-end, custom wheel brand, and putting them on a car is a direct symbol of financial success and a luxurious lifestyle. The mention of a Maybach later in the song serves as a symbol of ultimate luxury and a private space for reflection on his past struggles.
• "Bloody Bottoms": This is a reference to the signature red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes, a well-known luxury fashion item. Roddy Ricch uses it with a double meaning: trapping "'til the bloody bottoms is underneath" can mean working until you can afford these expensive shoes, or it can be a more grim reference to the violence of street life, walking through puddles of blood.
• "Bird Bath" for Dirty Money: The line "We came up on dirty money, I gave it a bird bath" is a metaphor for laundering illicitly gained money, 'cleaning' it to make it legitimate. This acknowledges his past while celebrating his current, more legitimate success.
• Dojo and Sensei: The lyric "tryna get the dojo like a sensei" is a clever play on words. A dojo is a place of learning, but here it sounds like "dough-jo," with "dough" being slang for money. He is trying to get his money (dough) right, like a sensei who is master of his domain (dojo).

The most prominent recurring phrase is the hook: "I was broke, now I'm rich, these n*ggas salty / Can't answer calls 'cause I'm ballin'." This serves as the song's central thesis, constantly reinforcing the theme of transformation from poverty to wealth and the social consequences of that change. The repetition of "ballin'" throughout the song solidifies it as the key concept and catchphrase. Another recurring musical motif is the vocal sample from 702's "Get It Together" that opens the track and is woven into the beat, providing a consistent soulful texture. Lyrically, there's a recurring motif of luxury goods as markers of success, with repeated mentions of expensive cars ("Jeep," "Maybach"), jewelry ("new diamonds"), and designer clothes ("bloody bottoms"). There is also a recurring theme of reflection on the past, with lines like "had to go through the struggle, I didn't forget that" appearing as a reminder of his journey. Mustard's producer tag, "Mustard on the beat, ho!", is a signature motif in his work, though it is used more subtly in "Ballin'".