Black Beatles

"Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd, featuring Gucci Mane, is a triumphant anthem celebrating the duo's meteoric rise to fame and the opulent, rockstar lifestyle that accompanies it. The central theme is a direct comparison of their status in the hip-hop world to the legendary British band, The Beatles. By calling themselves "Black Beatles," they are claiming a similar level of influence, icon status, and cultural impact for a new generation and genre. The lyrics are a boastful narrative of wealth, success, and hedonism. Phrases like "came in with a pocket full of money" and Gucci Mane's verse about a "yellow Lamb'" and lavish spending underscore the financial rewards of their success. The song is also about influence and appeal, captured in the recurring line, "That girl is a real crowd pleaser," suggesting their magnetic effect on fans. It's a declaration of dominance in the music scene, where they dismiss critics and haters while reveling in their achievements. The reference to "John Lennon lenses" is a direct nod to the iconic style of The Beatles, reinforcing the comparison and their adoption of a rockstar persona.

The narrative of the song is a bold proclamation of success and a celebration of a hedonistic, rockstar lifestyle, comparing the artists' modern-day fame and influence to that of the iconic British band, The Beatles. The song opens with Swae Lee declaring their status as the "Black Beatles," immediately establishing a theme of reaching legendary status within their own genre. They describe their arrival in a city with the purpose of collecting their earnings, a metaphor for their financial success and dominance in the music industry. References to high fashion like "John Lennon lenses" and luxury items such as "cream seats in the Regal" paint a vivid picture of their opulent life. The chorus, repeated throughout the song, introduces a social dynamic to their fame. The line "That girl is a real crowd pleaser" points to the magnetic appeal and adoration they receive, particularly from women. The phrase "Young bull livin' like an old geezer" juxtaposes their youth with the immense wealth and established lifestyle typically associated with older, successful figures. This is further emphasized by lines about making money and dismissing detractors ("Haters mad for whatever reason"). The artists convey a sense of being untouchable, enjoying the fruits of their labor while remaining indifferent to envy and criticism. Gucci Mane's verse amplifies these themes of wealth and dominance. He boasts about his luxurious Lamborghini ("yellow Lamb'") and his ability to effortlessly sidestep negativity, using a basketball metaphor: "I Eurostep past a hater like I'm Rondo." He highlights his elevated social and financial status, contrasting his current life with a past where he dealt with less successful individuals. His mention of throwing so much money that they're "buyin' school clothes" is a playful exaggeration of wealth, suggesting they are funding strippers' education. Slim Jxmmi's closing verse reinforces the song's core message. He continues the motif of extravagant living with mentions of Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci, linking their fashion choices to a sophisticated, European flair, much like the original Beatles. He describes the wild energy of their parties, where people lose control when the music starts, and touches upon a life of indulgence with phrases like "not blinking," alluding to being under the influence. The verse solidifies their identity as modern-day rockstars who are unapologetically enjoying their fame, wealth, and influence, cementing their self-proclaimed status as the "Black Beatles" of the hip-hop world.

"Black Beatles" was created for Rae Sremmurd's second studio album, SremmLife 2. The song was one of the last tracks recorded for the album, and its inclusion was a significant reason for the album's delay from its originally planned June 2016 release date. The track was produced by Mike Will Made It, a close and long-term collaborator of the duo, who also signed them to his label, EarDrummers Records. The songwriters credited are Khalif "Swae Lee" Brown, Aaquil "Slim Jxmmi" Brown, Radric "Gucci Mane" Davis, and the producer Michael "Mike Will Made It" Williams II. The song was recorded in 2016 and officially released as the third single from the album on September 13, 2016. Its massive success was largely unforeseen and was propelled by its association with the viral "Mannequin Challenge" social media trend that emerged in late October 2016. Initially, the challenge videos were often without music, but after Rae Sremmurd participated in their own Mannequin Challenge at a concert, the song became the unofficial anthem for the trend, leading to a massive surge in popularity. This viral moment catapulted the song to number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The rhythmic structure of "Black Beatles" is rooted in its trap genre, featuring a moderate tempo with prominent, syncopated hi-hats, a deep 808 bassline, and a sparse, atmospheric synth melody. This creates a hypnotic and laid-back yet confident groove. The song's chorus utilizes a simple but effective ABAB rhyme scheme, which enhances its lyrical flow and memorability. An example from the chorus is:
"That girl is a real crowd pleaser" (A)
"Small world, all her friends know me" (B)
"Young bull livin' like an old geezer" (A)
"Release the cash, watch it fall slowly" (B).
This consistent, alternating rhyme pattern makes the chorus easy to follow and sing along to. The verses employ a more varied and complex rhyme scheme, typical of hip-hop, with internal rhymes and slant rhymes that showcase the artists' lyrical dexterity. The interplay between the steady, driving rhythm of the beat and the flexible, conversational flow of the rappers' verses is a key element of the song's appeal.

"Black Beatles" employs a range of stylistic techniques that contribute to its distinctive sound and impact. Musically, it is a trap song characterized by a hazy, synth-heavy, and lo-fi production style created by Mike Will Made It. The key of E Minor gives the song a moody yet confident atmosphere. The vocal delivery from Swae Lee is notably melodic and hypnotic, particularly in the chorus, contrasting with Slim Jxmmi's more energetic and boastful rapping style. Gucci Mane's verse adds a layer of veteran authority and laid-back confidence. Lyrically, the song uses vivid imagery to portray a life of luxury and excess ("cream seats in the Regal," "yellow Lamb'"). The primary literary device is the central metaphor of being "Black Beatles," which frames the entire song. The artists also use modern slang ("young bull") and cultural references (John Lennon, Rajon Rondo) to connect with their audience. The structure, with its infectious and repetitive chorus, makes the song incredibly catchy and memorable.

The cultural impact of "Black Beatles" was monumental, largely driven by its association with the #MannequinChallenge, a viral internet trend in late 2016. The song became the unofficial soundtrack for the challenge, which involved people freezing in place like mannequins while being filmed. This viral phenomenon caused the song to explode in popularity, propelling it to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks, becoming the first number-one single for both Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane. The trend was embraced by celebrities, sports teams, and even politicians, with former Beatle Paul McCartney posting his own video with the caption "Love those Black Beatles," providing the "ultimate co-sign." The song's success was a landmark moment, demonstrating the power of viral memes in shaping the music charts. It has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, signifying 10 million units sold in the US. The song was also remixed by Nicki Minaj as "Black Barbies" and has been featured in media like the Netflix series Ozark.

The song is built around the central metaphor of Rae Sremmurd as the "Black Beatles," which symbolizes their self-perceived status as modern-day rock icons with a similar level of fame and cultural influence as the legendary British band. This comparison serves to elevate their position in the contemporary music landscape. Several lyrical elements support this symbolism:

• John Lennon Lenses: This is a direct visual reference to the iconic round glasses worn by John Lennon, linking their image and "swag" to that of a music legend.
• Young Bull Livin' Like an Old Geezer: This metaphor illustrates their youthfulness combined with the wealth and established lifestyle of someone much older, highlighting their precocious success.
• Eurostep Past a Hater: Gucci Mane uses this basketball metaphor, referencing NBA player Rajon Rondo's agile move, to describe how he skillfully and effortlessly evades negativity and criticism.
• Cream Seats in the Regal: The Regal, a Buick car, is a status symbol in hip-hop culture, representing wealth and luxury.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the title itself, "Black Beatles," which is repeated in the intro and outro. This phrase acts as the central motif, framing the song's entire theme of achieving legendary, rockstar-level fame in the hip-hop era. The hook, "That girl is a real crowd pleaser," is another key recurring line, appearing multiple times in the chorus. It functions as a memorable hook that emphasizes their popularity and appeal, particularly with women, reinforcing the party atmosphere and their celebrity status. The line "Young bull livin' like an old geezer" also recurs in the chorus, acting as a concise and catchy summary of their lifestyle: achieving immense success and wealth at a young age. The repetition of these phrases makes the song highly infectious and reinforces its core ideas of success, allure, and living a lavish lifestyle beyond their years.