Powerglide (feat. Juicy J) - From SR3MM

"Powerglide" is a high-energy anthem centered on the themes of success, wealth, and relentless forward momentum. The term "powerglide" itself serves as the song's core metaphor, representing a state of moving through life, money, and success with speed and ease, as if floating or flying. Swae Lee explained that the term felt powerful, evoking a sense of floating and moving fast through everything—from driving exotic cars to making money. The song is an unapologetic celebration of a lavish lifestyle, filled with braggadocio about expensive cars, jewelry, and relationships. It's about outworking and out-earning rivals, leaving behind those who are "stuck in the past" and can't keep up with their rapid ascent. The inclusion of Juicy J and the heavy sample of Three 6 Mafia's "Side 2 Side" grounds the song in the history of Southern hip-hop, acting as a tribute to their influences while simultaneously showcasing their own modern take on the sound. It’s a declaration of their status in the music industry, a victory lap that is both a nod to their predecessors and a bold statement of their own achievements.

The narrative of "Powerglide" is a bombastic celebration of success, wealth, and living life in the fastest lane possible. It’s an auditory joyride, with the artists, Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, along with the legendary Juicy J, painting a picture of their opulent and high-octane lifestyle. The central metaphor of "powergliding" is woven throughout the track, signifying a state of rapid, effortless movement through life—be it accumulating money, attracting women, or simply out-pacing their competition. The song opens with a sense of urgent velocity, immediately establishing a theme of speed and luxury. The lyrics describe exotic cars, specifically a "slime green" Lamborghini with a custom Powerglide transmission, a detail that highlights not just wealth, but a connoisseur's appreciation for high-performance automotive culture. This isn't just about having money; it's about spending it with flair and enjoying the fruits of their labor without hesitation.

Swae Lee’s verses and hooks often revolve around romantic and hedonistic pursuits, juxtaposing his attraction to beautiful women with his accumulation of riches. He describes a woman so captivating that he’s willing to spend lavishly on her, adorning her with diamonds and pinky rings. There's a sense of being on top of the world, where every night is a celebration and they are "cooler than the coolest" people imaginable. This confidence borders on invincibility, as they move too fast for naysayers or those stuck in the past, whom they dismissively label "slow pokes." The imagery is vivid and materialistic, referencing expensive jewelry ("snow globe" pinky ring), high fashion, and an endless flow of cash ("money on monsoon").

Slim Jxmmi’s contribution adds a grittier, more aggressive edge to the track. His verses maintain the braggadocious tone, with declarations of his status and prowess. He reinforces the theme of leaving behind those who can't keep up, emphasizing a forward-moving trajectory. His references are often bold and assertive, comparing his impact to a "bullseye" and his financial success to being a "big baller like Mutombo." This serves as a powerful counterpoint to Swae Lee's smoother, more melodic delivery, creating the dynamic chemistry Rae Sremmurd is known for.

Juicy J, a pioneer of the sound the track emulates, bridges the gap between the new school and the old. His verse is a veteran’s affirmation of the lifestyle they all celebrate. It’s filled with classic Juicy J swagger—references to his wealth, his influence, and his continued relevance in the rap game. By featuring on a track that so heavily samples and interpolates his group Three 6 Mafia's classic "Side 2 Side," he gives his official blessing, connecting the legacy of Memphis crunk and Southern hip-hop to its modern trap evolution. His presence validates the track's homage and amplifies its party-centric, unapologetically lavish atmosphere. Ultimately, "Powerglide" is less of a story and more of a snapshot—a high-definition, slow-motion capture of a life lived at full throttle, defined by luxury, confidence, and perpetual forward motion.

"Powerglide" was released on March 1, 2018, as the third single from Rae Sremmurd's ambitious triple-disc album, SR3MM. The album, which dropped on May 4, 2018, was split into three parts: a group album (SR3MM) and solo albums from each member, Swae Lee's Swaecation and Slim Jxmmi's Jxmtro. The song was produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, Mally Mall, and Jean-Marie Horvat.

The creative spark for "Powerglide" came from the iconic 2005 Three 6 Mafia song "Side 2 Side." Swae Lee recounted that he loved the original track and started rapping and singing over its beat. After showing it to Slim Jxmmi, who quickly wrote a verse, they knew they had something special. The homage was made complete by featuring Three 6 Mafia co-founder Juicy J. The collaboration came about organically after Rae Sremmurd ran into Juicy J at a party. He expressed interest in working together, and after they sent him the track, he returned a verse that Swae Lee described as him having "wrecked it." The studio sessions were described as energetic; when they played the beat for people in the studio, the reaction was immediate, with everyone dancing before any verses were even recorded, confirming for the duo that they had a hit.

The rhythmic structure of "Powerglide" is built on a fast-paced trap beat with a prominent, rolling hi-hat pattern and a booming 808 bassline. The tempo is upbeat and energetic, designed to be a driving or party anthem. The rappers' flows interact dynamically with this rhythm. Swae Lee's hook is melodic and rhythmically simple, making it easy to catch on to. His verses often use a more fluid, legato delivery that glides over the beat. Slim Jxmmi and Juicy J employ a more percussive, staccato flow, with sharper enunciation that punches through the dense production. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and direct, often relying on couplets (AABB) and internal rhymes to maintain momentum and a conversational, braggadocious feel. The interplay between the hard-hitting beat and the varied vocal rhythms creates a track that is both sonically complex and irresistibly danceable.

"Powerglide" is a masterclass in modern trap style, blending energetic ad-libs, distinct vocal deliveries, and homage-paying production. Musically, the song's foundation is a direct sample and interpolation of the keyboard melody from Three 6 Mafia's "Side 2 Side," creating a sound that is both nostalgic for fans of Southern hip-hop and fresh in its updated, high-fidelity context. The production by Mike WiLL Made-It and others is characterized by heavy 808 bass, crisp trap drums, and the haunting, repetitive synth line that drives the track.

Literarily and vocally, the song showcases the signature yin-and-yang dynamic of Rae Sremmurd. Swae Lee employs his melodic, sung-rap style for the incredibly catchy hook and his verses, creating a smooth, atmospheric feel. In contrast, Slim Jxmmi provides a more aggressive, straightforward rap flow, adding a raw energy that complements Swae's delivery. Juicy J's feature adds a third stylistic layer, bringing his iconic, laid-back yet authoritative Memphis flow, which bridges the generational gap and authenticates the track's homage. The use of repetition in the hook ("I'm on a power glide") makes the song incredibly memorable and effective as a party anthem.

"Powerglide" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified Platinum by the RIAA, marking it as a commercial success. The song's most notable influence was its role in the revival and appreciation of Three 6 Mafia's music for a new generation. By sampling "Side 2 Side" and featuring Juicy J, Rae Sremmurd paid direct homage to the Memphis pioneers, continuing a trend seen with other artists like A$AP Ferg's "Plain Jane" (which sampled "Slob on My Knob"). This helped solidify Three 6 Mafia's legacy as foundational figures in modern trap music. The song was praised for its high energy and became a standout track from the ambitious SR3MM project. Its accompanying music video, featuring high-speed car stunts in a parking garage, further cemented its image as a quintessential driving anthem. The song became a staple of Rae Sremmurd's live performances and was featured in their co-headlining "Dazed & Blazed Summer 2018 Amphitheater Tour" with Wiz Khalifa.

The central metaphor in the song is the "power glide," which symbolizes a state of rapid, effortless success and forward momentum. It’s derived from the Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission, known for its use in drag racing, which perfectly encapsulates the song's themes of speed, power, and a high-performance lifestyle. This isn't just about driving fast; it's a metaphor for their career trajectory and financial success—they are "powergliding" through everything.

Other key symbols include:

• The "Slime Green" Lamborghini: This specific, flashy car represents the pinnacle of their material success. The custom color and high-performance transmission signify not just wealth, but a unique and customized luxury that stands out.
• "Snow globe" pinky ring: This image represents extravagant and showy wealth. The metaphor suggests a piece of jewelry so large and filled with diamonds that it resembles a snow globe, a symbol of their icy, flashy style.
• "Monsoon" of money: This metaphor emphasizes an overwhelming and continuous flow of wealth, far beyond a simple rain shower.

The most significant recurring phrase is the hook, "Yeah, I'm on a power glide / Comin' through, I'm on a power glide," which is repeated throughout the song. This phrase acts as the central thesis, reinforcing the theme of unstoppable, high-speed success. Its constant repetition makes it the memorable core of the track.

Another recurring motif is the contrast between fast and slow. The artists are "powergliding," while their detractors are "slow pokes" who are "stuck in the past." This binary is used to elevate their own status and dismiss any competition.

The motif of extravagant spending also recurs frequently, with repeated mentions of blowing money, buying expensive things for women ("put a pinky ring on, snow globe"), and living a life of excess, which helps to build the song's overall atmosphere of opulence and celebration.