Splashin

"Splashin" is an unapologetic anthem of newfound wealth and the extravagant lifestyle that accompanies it. The core meaning revolves around the concept of "flexing" – openly displaying success and riches as a testament to one's journey from struggle to triumph. The term 'splashin'' itself is a slang metaphor for being ostentatiously stylish and dripping with expensive jewelry, designer clothes, and cash. Rich The Kid uses the song to create a vivid auditory and lyrical representation of this state, detailing his possessions and spending habits. The lyrics serve as a narrative of upward mobility, contrasting his past of being "broke" with his current ability to make extravagant purchases without a second thought, such as choosing a "drop top" car over a "crib." It's a celebration of financial success in the hip-hop world, where material wealth is often a key signifier of achievement and status. The song's message is one of triumphant self-confidence, asserting dominance and success in a competitive environment.

The song is a high-energy, braggadocious declaration of wealth and a lavish lifestyle, tracing a direct line from a past of being broke to a present overflowing with riches. The narrative is built around constant flexing, showcasing immense wealth through luxury brands, expensive jewelry, and high-end cars. The artist repeatedly emphasizes his financial success, contrasting his current status with those who are not as fortunate or who feign success. He mentions specific luxury items like Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Off-White, and Gucci, not just as possessions but as symbols of his elevated status. A recurring theme is the idea of 'splashin'' or 'drippin',' a metaphor for being so covered in expensive items and jewelry that he is figuratively overflowing with wealth. The lyrics recount indulgent and impulsive purchases, such as buying a convertible sports car instead of a house, to highlight a carefree attitude towards money. He dismisses romantic attachments in favor of casual encounters, framing relationships as transactional and subordinate to his pursuit of wealth and pleasure. There's a clear sense of outmaneuvering rivals and evading law enforcement ('12, they can't catch me when I'm passin''), adding an element of street-smart invincibility to his persona. The artist also taunts those who have failed to maintain their wealth ('How you got a check and went broke again?') and warns against fake personas in the industry. Throughout the track, he reinforces his affiliation with his 'Rich Forever' crew, presenting his success not just as an individual achievement but as the lifestyle of his entire circle. The lyrical content is a relentless barrage of financial boasts, from the cost of his socks to the amount of money in his backpack, all delivered with an assertive, confident flow that matches the powerful, bass-heavy beat.

"Splashin" was released on December 3, 2018, as the lead single for Rich The Kid's second studio album, The World Is Yours 2. The song was created during a recording session at Rich The Kid's house in Hollywood. In an interview with Billboard, he explained the spontaneous nature of its creation. After his engineer arrived, he called up producer Lab Cook, who is signed to his label Rich Forever Music. Lab Cook sent over a new pack of beats, and the first one the engineer played was the instrumental for "Splashin". Rich The Kid stated that the lyrics and flow came to him instantly, and he recorded the entire song in about 25-30 minutes without writing anything down. The inspiration behind the lyrics came from a recent shopping spree where he had bought a significant amount of designer clothing from brands like Fendi, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, making him feel like he was literally "splashing" with style. The track was produced by Lab Cook and Frank Dukes. The accompanying music video, released on January 8, 2019, was inspired by Missy Elliott's visually inventive videos.

"Splashin" follows a rhythmic structure typical of the trap genre, with a high-energy tempo and a strong, driving beat. Rich The Kid's delivery primarily uses a triplet flow, where he fits three syllables into the space of two, creating a distinctive, bouncing cadence that rides over the bass-heavy instrumental. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, relying heavily on perfect and near rhymes at the end of lines to maintain momentum and a catchy quality. For instance, in the chorus, he rhymes "relaxing," "cash in," and "splashin'," creating a cohesive and memorable hook. The interplay between his vocal rhythm and the complex patterns of the hi-hats and snares in the beat is crucial to the song's energetic feel. This rhythmic synergy makes the track highly suitable for a club environment, which critics noted upon its release.

Musically, "Splashin" is built on a quintessential trap beat, described by critics as "bass-heavy," "lurky," and "menacing". The production, handled by Lab Cook and Frank Dukes, features deep 808s, rapid-fire hi-hats, and atmospheric synths that create an energetic and imposing soundscape. Lyrically, Rich The Kid employs a confident, energetic vocal delivery characterized by a triplet flow, a rhythmic pattern popularized by Migos. His style is punctuated by frequent ad-libs (e.g., "racks," "what") that add emphasis and texture to his verses. He uses literary techniques such as hyperbole to exaggerate his wealth ("Gucci, spent a hunnid on some new socks") and rhetorical questions to taunt his detractors ("How you got a check and went broke again?"). The lyrics are structured around repetition of the main hook, making the song catchy and memorable, a common feature in modern trap music designed for club play and radio success.

"Splashin" served as the lead single for Rich The Kid's successful sophomore album, The World Is Yours 2, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. The song itself achieved commercial success, peaking at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 59 on the Canadian Hot 100. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying over one million units sold. The track received generally positive reviews, with publications like XXL and Hypebeast praising its bouncy, bass-heavy production and club-ready energy. The music video garnered significant attention for its creative direction, which Rich The Kid stated was inspired by Missy Elliott. The song solidified Rich The Kid's position as a prominent figure in the trap scene of the late 2010s, following up on the success of his previous hits like "Plug Walk" and "New Freezer."

The central metaphor of the song is encapsulated in the title, "Splashin". This term, along with the related slang "drippin'," symbolizes an overwhelming and conspicuous display of wealth. It creates the image of someone so adorned with diamonds, jewelry, and luxury goods that they are metaphorically wet or overflowing. Water-related imagery is extended with lines like, "Look at my pinky, it's a waterslide," directly comparing a piece of jewelry to a lavish water feature, emphasizing its size and value. The concept of "blue cheese" is another common rap metaphor used in the song, referring to the blue strips on hundred-dollar bills. Stacking money "like Tetris" is a simile that visualizes the act of accumulating wealth in a structured, almost game-like manner. These metaphors are not subtle; they are direct and powerful symbols of financial success and the braggadocious culture central to the trap genre.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "Splashin'," which is repeated throughout the chorus. This word, often used alongside "drippin'," serves as the central motif of the song, representing an overwhelming abundance of wealth and style. The line, "Fendi, am I drippin' or I'm splashin'," directly poses this as the core theme. Another recurring idea is the contrast between his past and present financial status, highlighted by the line "How you got a check and went broke again?" which is used to mock those who couldn't maintain their success. The act of "run[ning] up a bag" or getting "the cash in" is another repeated motif that emphasizes the continuous hustle and accumulation of wealth. These phrases are instrumental in reinforcing the song's primary message of sustained financial dominance and a luxurious lifestyle.