Every Season

"Every Season" by Roddy Ricch is a triumphant anthem that chronicles his ascent from the streets of Compton to the heights of the music industry. The song's central theme is the celebration of continuous success and the lavish lifestyle that accompanies it. The title itself, "Every Season," signifies a relentless, year-round hustle that doesn't take breaks, leading to constant wins ('ballin' out every season'). Ricch contrasts his current success with his past struggles, reflecting on his days in the 'trap' and serving on the 'sidewalk.' This narrative of overcoming adversity is a cornerstone of the song's meaning, highlighting a journey from poverty to opulence.

The lyrics are filled with imagery of wealth and luxury, such as expensive cars ('Bentley truck'), designer clothes ('Robin Jeans'), and diamond jewelry ('All of my diamonds gone buss out the meter'). However, this isn't just a simple brag track. It's a testament to his hard work and the dangerous path he navigated. He pays homage to infamous drug lords like Pablo Escobar, Money Meech, and El Chapo, not as a glorification of their violence, but as symbols of building empires from the ground up, representing the ultimate, albeit illicit, form of 'chasing the bag.' This reveals a mindset shaped by a 'means to an end' philosophy, where the primary goal is financial escape from a life of hardship.

Furthermore, the song touches on themes of loyalty and self-reliance. Ricch emphasizes his commitment to his crew ('Turn the whole squad to bosses') and keeping it real with his people. Conversely, he expresses a detached and cautious attitude towards romantic relationships, suggesting that his focus is solely on financial gain and that trust is a commodity he cannot afford to give freely. The track encapsulates the modern rags-to-riches story in hip-hop, blending celebration with the harsh realities of the life left behind, and serves as a motivational piece about perseverance and achieving success against all odds.

The narrative unfolds as a chronicle of relentless ambition and the subsequent rewards. The protagonist paints a picture of continuous success, a state of 'ballin'' that persists through every season, leaving behind those who couldn't keep up, relegated to the 'bleachers.' This journey is fueled by a constant hustle, symbolized by his dedication to the 'double cup'—a reference to lean, a concoction often associated with rap culture, which he treats with the reverence of a marriage. The process of acquiring wealth is depicted vividly: tying up bands of money, storing 'bales' (presumably of drugs or cash) in the freezer, and remembering the days of dodging law enforcement ('ducking them people') back at the 'trap' house.

His newfound status is marked by conspicuous consumption and a display of opulence. His diamonds are so brilliant they 'buss out the meter,' and he describes himself as 'dripping water,' a slang term for having an abundance of expensive jewelry, likening it to Aquafina. Relationships are fleeting and transactional; he asserts his independence from women, stating he can hit it once and leave, reinforcing a persona hardened by street life. A core tenet of his philosophy is loyalty to his crew, vowing to make his entire squad 'bosses' and keep his dealings with them authentic ('keep it a rack'). His lifestyle is flashy, pulling up in a Bentley truck and 'poppin' shit like hot grease,' a metaphor for causing a scene and showing off.

He reminisces about his origins, from sitting in the trap house planning his next move to serving on the sidewalk. His inspirations are notorious figures like Pablo Escobar, Demetrius 'Big Meech' Flenory, and El Chapo, figures who built empires through illicit means. This trinity represents the pinnacle of the power and wealth he aspired to. He boasts about his unique position as the hottest young figure in his environment, a world where his peers are involved in 'murders and robberies.' His wealth is tangible, with '20 racks in the Robin Jeans,' dismissing any notion that his success is due to luck like the lottery. He feels unstoppable, like the undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, using his earnings to acquire new properties. The grind is ceaseless, running up 'thirty [thousand] in a week' while maintaining a detached, no-strings-attached approach to romance. His wealth is so pervasive that he keeps '$45,000 in the sheets' where he sleeps. The ultimate goal is securing 'the bag'—the money—and his trust is reserved for that pursuit alone, not for any woman not 'married' to him in the same way he is to the hustle.

The narrative revisits his past struggles and sacrifices. He recounts having to 'serve crack' and repaying a debt to his uncle. This dirty money is laundered and reinvested, symbolized by giving his 'bitch a new Goose' (a Canada Goose jacket). He asserts his dominance and authenticity, whether through gang affiliation ('you running your gang or you woo') or his sexual prowess. His rise to prominence seems to have surprised even himself ('I'm a millionaire now, who knew?'). He aligns himself with shooters and acknowledges the harsh realities that shaped him, becoming a 'neighborhood drug dealer' at fifteen and developing a 'cold-hearted' demeanor. Despite this hardened exterior, there are moments of reflection, like the feeling of selling out the Nova, which he compares to Michael Jordan's legendary 'flu game'—a testament to performing at a high level despite adversity. He presents his journey as a solo endeavor ('if he ain't trying to go get the bag, I get it cracking solo'), culminating in a lifestyle of luxury, influence, and unwavering self-belief.

"Every Season" was officially released on October 28, 2018, as the second single from Roddy Ricch's acclaimed mixtape, Feed Tha Streets II. The song was produced by Cassius Jay and Beezo. The track's creation and release were pivotal moments in Roddy Ricch's burgeoning career, helping to solidify his position as a rising star in the hip-hop scene. Hailing from Compton, California, Ricch's music, including "Every Season," is deeply rooted in his life experiences and street narratives.

The song's development was part of the lead-up to his highly anticipated sequel mixtape. Its release was strategically timed, dropping the day after a significant career milestone for Ricch: his official signing to Meek Mill's Dream Chasers record label. This event was marked by Ricch receiving a diamond-encrusted Dream Chaser's necklace and performing for a large crowd at a Meek Mill concert, which generated considerable buzz.

The official music video, directed by JDFilms, was released on the same day as the single. The video visually complements the song's themes of homegrown success, featuring Ricch in a modest apartment complex with his crew, juxtaposed with luxury items like a Bentley. This imagery reinforces the song's narrative of staying true to one's roots while enjoying the fruits of labor. The song's writers are credited as Rodrick Moore, Jr. (Roddy Ricch), Joshua Cross, and Bishop Grinnage. The track was mastered by Dave Kutch and mixed by Kevin Spencer.

"Every Season" employs a fluid and modern rhyme scheme that prioritizes flow and melodic contour over strict, traditional patterns. The rhythm is driven by a mid-tempo trap beat with prominent, syncopated hi-hats and a deep 808 bass line, creating a foundation that is both laid-back and assertive.

Rhyme Scheme:
Roddy Ricch primarily uses a loose, often AABB-like couplet structure within his verses, but frequently incorporates internal rhymes and slant rhymes to add complexity. For example, in the hook:

"I just been ballin' out every season (A)
Know it's some niggas I left in the bleachers (A, slant rhyme)
I just been married to double cup (B)
I got to pour me a four inside another liter" (C, slant rhyme with 'bleachers')

Here, 'season' and 'bleachers' form a slant rhyme, while 'cup' and 'liter' do not rhyme perfectly, demonstrating a focus on cadence and vocal melody. This technique allows for a more conversational and natural delivery.

Rhythm and Flow:
Roddy Ricch's vocal rhythm plays dynamically against the instrumental. His flow is melodic and often behind the beat, giving the track a relaxed, confident swagger. He stretches and compresses syllables to fit his melodic ideas, a hallmark of the trap subgenre. The interplay between the steady, rolling rhythm of the 808s and hi-hats and Ricch's more flexible, sung-rap delivery is a key component of the song's appeal. The tempo is steady, allowing the lyrics and Ricch's charismatic delivery to be the central focus, while the underlying rhythm provides a compelling and head-nodding groove.

"Every Season" showcases Roddy Ricch's distinctive melodic rap style, which blends harmonic, sung vocals with the rhythmic cadence of trap music. This hybrid approach allows him to convey both a sense of triumphant celebration and underlying vulnerability.

Musical Techniques:

• Vocal Delivery: Ricch's vocals are a key feature. He employs a melodic, often auto-tuned flow that glides over the beat, making the track catchy and memorable. His cadence has drawn comparisons to artists like Young Thug and Gunna, yet he maintains a unique tone that is distinctly his own.
• Instrumentation: The production, handled by Beezo and Cassius Jay, is characteristic of modern trap. It features a prominent acoustic guitar loop that provides a melancholic and reflective counterpoint to the hard-hitting 808 basslines and crisp hi-hat patterns. This juxtaposition of a soft, melodic element with aggressive percussion creates a complex emotional texture.

Literary Techniques:

• Allusion: Ricch makes several allusions to real-world figures and pop culture. He references notorious drug kingpins Pablo Escobar, 'Money Meech,' and El Chapo as his 'top three,' using them as symbols of power and street-level ambition. He also alludes to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather to describe his own winning streak and wealth.
• Metaphor and Simile: The lyrics are dense with figurative language. He describes himself as 'dripping water nigga, Aquafina,' a simile for his expensive jewelry. The central metaphor of 'ballin' out every season' frames his success as a continuous, year-round state of dominance.
• Anaphora: The repetition of the phrase 'I just been' at the beginning of the hook's first two lines creates a rhythmic emphasis on his ongoing state of success and dedication.

"Every Season" was a significant breakthrough single for Roddy Ricch, marking his arrival as a major force in the hip-hop landscape. Released in late 2018, the song was a key track from his mixtape Feed Tha Streets II and played a crucial role in building the momentum that would lead to his massive commercial success with his debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, the following year.

The song achieved considerable chart success and critical recognition. It peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and bubbled just under the mainstream Hot 100 chart. More importantly, it was a viral success, gaining traction online and in the streets, solidifying Ricch's fanbase. The track has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying over 1 million units in sales and streaming equivalents in the United States. It also received certifications in other countries, including Platinum in Canada and Silver in the United Kingdom.

The music video, directed by JDFilms, also became widely popular, accumulating over 130 million views on YouTube by October 2020. The song's success earned Ricch co-signs from established artists like Meek Mill, who signed him to his Dream Chasers label, further boosting his profile. "Every Season" is often cited alongside "Die Young" as one of the essential tracks that showcased Ricch's unique melodic style and storytelling ability, paving the way for his future chart-toppers like "The Box" and his feature on DaBaby's "Rockstar."

"Every Season" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of Roddy Ricch's lifestyle and mindset.

Key Symbols and Metaphors:

• "Every Season": The title itself is a central metaphor for perpetual success and consistency. Unlike seasonal sports where athletes have an off-season, Ricch's 'balling' is a continuous, year-round activity, signifying his relentless work ethic and the constant flow of his success.
• "Bleachers": Ricch mentions leaving some people 'in the bleachers.' The bleachers symbolize a place for spectators, far from the action on the field. This metaphorically represents friends, rivals, or associates who were left behind, unable to keep up with his pace or level of ambition. They are now just watching his success from the sidelines.
• "Married to the double cup": This is a powerful metaphor for his deep commitment and addiction to the hustle and the lifestyle it affords, symbolized by lean (a mixture of codeine cough syrup and soda). A marriage implies a binding, long-term commitment, suggesting his dedication is as serious as a lifelong vow.
• "Putting new bales inside of the freezer": 'Bales' can refer to large quantities of marijuana or cash. Storing them in a 'freezer' is a metaphor for preserving his assets and keeping his money 'cold' or secure, away from prying eyes and the risks of the street.
• "Poppin' shit like hot grease": This simile vividly illustrates how he makes a scene and commands attention wherever he goes. Just as hot grease pops and sizzles loudly and uncontrollably, Ricch's presence and flashy lifestyle are impossible to ignore.
• "Outta town champ like Mayweather": By comparing himself to the undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, Ricch symbolizes his own undefeated streak in the streets and in the music industry. It represents strategic success, financial prowess, and being untouchable by his competition.

The most prominent recurring element in "Every Season" is its hook, which serves as the song's central thesis and memorable anchor.

The Hook:

• "I just been ballin' out every season / Know it's some niggas I left in the bleachers / I just been married to double cup / I got to pour me a four inside another liter / Tie up the bands and then run it up / I got to put the new bales inside of the freezer / Back at the trap I was ducking them people / Ducking them birds sending out them eagles"

This chorus is repeated multiple times throughout the song, drilling its core message into the listener's mind. Each repetition reinforces the central themes of relentless success ('ballin' out every season'), loyalty to the hustle ('married to double cup'), wealth accumulation ('tie up the bands'), and the dangerous realities of his past ('ducking them people'). Its melodic nature makes it incredibly catchy and is a significant reason for the song's popularity.

Recurring Motifs:

• Financial Success ('The Bag'): The motif of earning and managing large sums of money is constant. Phrases like "tie up the bands," "run it up," "20 racks in the Robin Jeans," and "forty-five thousand in the sheets" appear throughout the song, emphasizing that the pursuit of wealth is the primary motivation.
• Street Authenticity: Ricch consistently references his past and the codes of the street. Mentions of the 'trap,' 'serving the sidewalk,' and affiliations ('my niggas do murders and robberies') serve as a motif to establish his credibility and the difficult environment he emerged from.
• Luxury and Opulence: The song is filled with recurring images of a lavish lifestyle, including a 'Bentley truck,' 'new Forgiatos on the Jeep,' and diamonds that 'buss out the meter.' This motif visually represents the rewards of his hustle.

The repetition of these phrases and motifs creates a cohesive narrative, effectively communicating Roddy Ricch's journey from struggle to triumph.