FRANCHISE (feat. Young Thug & M.I.A.)

"FRANCHISE" is a triumphant and braggadocious anthem that celebrates the commercial success, influence, and opulent lifestyles of Travis Scott, Young Thug, and M.I.A. The song's title itself is a multi-layered metaphor. On one level, it pays homage to the Atlanta hip-hop group Dem Franchize Boyz and their influential 2004 track "White Tee". The opening line, "Yup, in my white tee," is a direct interpolation of their song, grounding "FRANCHISE" in a specific hip-hop tradition. On another level, the title alludes to the concept of a business franchise, particularly timely given Scott's highly publicized collaboration with McDonald's around the time of the song's release. This suggests that Travis Scott sees himself and his brand as a powerful, far-reaching entity, much like a global franchise.

Lyrically, the song is a relentless showcase of wealth and status. The artists boast about their financial success, with Travis Scott rapping about receiving "boxes of checks" and Young Thug claiming to have "ran up twenty million." There are numerous references to luxury items, private jets, and a general sense of living a life beyond the reach of ordinary people. The song also serves as a declaration of their power and influence within the music industry and popular culture. Scott mentions starting his own label just to sign himself, a testament to his autonomy and business acumen. The lyrics are peppered with name-drops of cultural figures like director Hype Williams and Spike Lee, as well as tributes to the late rapper Pop Smoke. M.I.A.'s verse adds a global and slightly more abstract dimension to the theme of success, with her unique flow and references that span from golfing to ancient mythology.

The song opens with an immediate assertion of a particular style and status, encapsulated by the simple image of being in a white t-shirt. This isn't just a piece of clothing; it's a statement of effortless cool and a nod to hip-hop history. The lyrics quickly escalate to a level of self-importance that requires a legendary music video director, Hype Williams, to capture the hype surrounding the artist. There's a palpable sense of being untouchable, a warning that any challenge will be met with preemptive force. The focus then shifts to material wealth, not just in terms of luxury items, but in the sheer volume of money, arriving in boxes of checks rather than being spent on trendy sneakers.

The narrative continues with a clever wordplay on the artist's own beverage brand, Cacti, distinguishing it from a simple iced tea, and a boast of being elusive and hard to find, even with the help of the world's biggest search engine. The artist's influence extends to his relationships and his business acumen, having started his own label to sign himself, a ultimate power move. The bond with his collaborator, Chase B, is described as inseparable, like Siamese twins, constantly on the move and accumulating wealth as if on a crime spree. This section reinforces the themes of dominance and self-made success.

The second verse, delivered by Young Thug, continues the opulent narrative. He casually mentions calling the Sprite corporation and taking private flights to France for sightseeing. There's a darker, more menacing edge to his words as he alludes to violence. The imagery then shifts back to extravagant possessions, like a Ferrari with "caterpillar" doors. His defiance is highlighted by a scene in a courtroom where he nonchalantly asks the judge for his cup. He boasts of amassing a fortune of twenty million dollars and dismisses the role of luck, attributing his success to his own efforts. A tribute is paid to the late rapper Pop Smoke, with a call to keep his legacy alive. The verse is filled with boasts about his unique style, from his stringless Scott sneakers to his elevated state of being, flying higher than a plane. He playfully refers to his t-shirt as a "slime tee," a nod to his own branding, and exudes confidence in his prime, surrounded by attractive women.

The third verse, performed by M.I.A., brings a different, more eclectic energy. Her delivery is rapid-fire and filled with cultural references, including a shoutout to Cactus Jack artist Sheck Wes. She paints a picture of a carefree and luxurious lifestyle, from playing golf to riding Kawasaki motorcycles and enjoying sushi. Her verse connects her with the other artists on the track, affirming their collaborative bond. Travis Scott then interjects, referencing his highly anticipated album "Utopia" and the animated movie "Zootopia." He alludes to his crew, the JACKBOYS, and their formidable presence. The outro, delivered by M.I.A., is a powerful and almost mystical declaration of her presence and influence, invoking ancient Anunnaki, positioning herself and her music as a powerful, almost otherworldly force.

The song, initially titled "White Tee," was first previewed by Travis Scott and his DJ, Chase B, on July 20, 2020, during the tenth episode of their .WAV Radio show. That early version featured only Young Thug. The track pays homage to the 2004 song "White Tee" by Dem Franchize Boyz, which heavily influenced its chorus. In an interview, Travis Scott explained that while the working title was "White Tee," "Franchise" was a name they also considered and ultimately preferred.

The song was produced by Travis Scott, Chase B, and Teddy Walton. The inclusion of M.I.A. came about after she contacted Scott to collaborate on her own album. Scott has expressed his admiration for M.I.A., calling her one of his favorite artists and "the illest of all time." He felt she was the only one who could "body" her part on the track.

The single was officially released on September 25, 2020. Its release was accompanied by a music video directed by Travis Scott and White Trash Tyler. The video was notably filmed at Michael Jordan's mansion in Chicago, with Jordan's permission. The video also had a unique premiere, being shown in select IMAX theaters during screenings of Christopher Nolan's film "Tenet," for which Scott had also recorded the song "The Plan." A remix of "FRANCHISE" featuring an additional verse from Future was released on October 7, 2020.

The rhyme and rhythm of "FRANCHISE" are integral to its energetic and assertive feel. The song is set to a hard-hitting trap beat with a prominent bass line, which provides a strong rhythmic foundation. The tempo is upbeat, driving the song forward and encouraging movement.

Lyrically, the artists employ a variety of rhyme schemes and rhythmic flows. The chorus, with its direct interpolation of "White Tee," establishes a catchy and memorable hook. Travis Scott's verses often feature a loose, almost conversational flow, with rhymes that feel natural and unstrained. For example, in the first verse, he rhymes "iced tea" with "Spike Lee," and "find me" with "hyphy."

Young Thug is known for his unpredictable and melodic vocal delivery, and his verse in "FRANCHISE" is no exception. He shifts his rhythmic patterns and vocal inflections, adding a dynamic quality to his lines. His rhymes are often slant rhymes, which contributes to the free-flowing nature of his verse. M.I.A.'s verse is characterized by a rapid-fire, almost percussive delivery. Her rhymes are intricate and her rhythm is complex, creating a sense of urgency and excitement.

The interplay between the lyrical rhythms of the three artists and the underlying musical rhythm of the beat is a key feature of the song. Each artist brings their own unique rhythmic approach, which adds layers of complexity and keeps the listener engaged throughout the track.

"FRANCHISE" employs a variety of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its energetic and boastful atmosphere. The song is built on a bass-heavy trap beat, a signature of Travis Scott's production style, which creates a menacing and powerful sonic backdrop. The production, handled by Scott, Chase B, and Teddy Walton, features a fusion of contrasting yet complementary flows from the three artists.

Lyrically, the song is characterized by its braggadocio and use of cultural references. Travis Scott and Young Thug use a confident and assertive vocal delivery, emphasizing their wealth and status. The lyrics are filled with name-drops of brands and famous personalities, a common trope in contemporary hip-hop to signify success. M.I.A.'s verse provides a stylistic contrast with her distinctive, energetic, and slightly off-kilter flow, adding a unique texture to the track.

A key literary device is the interpolation of Dem Franchize Boyz's "White Tee," which serves as a foundational element of the chorus and a direct link to a specific era of hip-hop. The song also uses vivid imagery and metaphors, such as Scott's line about receiving "boxes of checks" instead of Nikes, to illustrate the scale of his wealth. The overall lyrical approach is more focused on creating a mood and conveying an attitude of supreme confidence rather than telling a linear story.

"FRANCHISE" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This achievement marked Travis Scott's fourth number-one single, Young Thug's second, and M.I.A.'s first. Notably, this made Travis Scott the first artist in Billboard history to have three songs debut at the top of the chart in less than a year. The song also performed well globally, debuting at number seven on the Billboard Global 200 chart.

The song's release was intertwined with several other major cultural moments for Travis Scott, including his collaboration with McDonald's for the "Travis Scott Meal" and his partnership with the film "Tenet." The music video for "FRANCHISE" was even premiered in select IMAX theaters before screenings of "Tenet," further blurring the lines between music, film, and marketing. The video itself, filmed at Michael Jordan's mansion, was a cultural event, garnering significant media attention and winning the 2021 MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip Hop Video.

The song's interpolation of Dem Franchize Boyz's "White Tee" also sparked conversations about the influence of early 2000s Southern hip-hop on the contemporary music landscape. A remix of the song featuring Future was released shortly after the original, further extending its reach and cultural conversation.

The central metaphor in "FRANCHISE" is the title itself, which compares Travis Scott's brand and influence to a sprawling business franchise. This is amplified by the context of his collaboration with McDonald's, a global franchise, which was heavily promoted at the time of the song's release. The song isn't just about having money; it's about having a self-sustaining and ever-expanding empire.

The recurring phrase "Yup, in my white tee" is a significant symbol. It's a direct homage to Dem Franchize Boyz's 2004 hit, "White Tee," and a symbol of Southern hip-hop culture. The white t-shirt, a simple piece of clothing, becomes a symbol of status, authenticity, and cultural identity within the hip-hop community. By adopting this line, Travis Scott aligns himself with this lineage while simultaneously elevating its meaning in the context of his own massive success.

Young Thug's lyrics also contain symbolic imagery. His mention of a "Caterpillar 'Rari" (a Ferrari with butterfly doors) is a vivid symbol of extreme wealth and luxury. His tribute to the late Pop Smoke, "R.I.P. Pop, keep the smoke," serves as a symbolic gesture of respect and a call to continue his legacy within the rap world.

M.I.A.'s verse introduces a different set of symbols. Her presence in a field of sheep while adorned in flowers in the music video creates a surreal and powerful image. Lyrically, her closing lines, "Bangers in the system, it's... Ancient Anunnaki," inject a layer of ancient and mythological symbolism, suggesting her and her music's power is something primal and almost otherworldly.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "FRANCHISE" is the line "Yup, in my white tee," which is repeated in the chorus. This phrase is a direct interpolation of the 2004 song "White Tee" by Dem Franchize Boyz, and it serves as a central motif that connects the song to a specific lineage of Southern hip-hop. The repetition of this line emphasizes its importance as a cultural touchstone and a symbol of authenticity and style within the hip-hop world.

Another recurring motif is the theme of immense wealth and success. This is conveyed through repeated references to money, luxury goods, and a lavish lifestyle. Phrases like "boxes of checks" and Young Thug's boast of having "ran up twenty million" reinforce this theme throughout the song.

The concept of being a powerful and influential entity, a "franchise," is a recurring idea that is established by the song's title and woven throughout the lyrics. Travis Scott's lines about starting his own label to sign himself and being hard to find even with Google contribute to this motif of being a self-made and untouchable figure.

The phrase "talk to me nicely" also appears as a recurring ad-lib, suggesting a demand for respect and a warning to those who might approach the artists with anything less. This adds to the overall tone of confidence and authority that pervades the song.