Lalala

"Lalala" by Y2K and bbno$ is a satirical and braggadocious anthem about the absurdities and perks of achieving viral fame in the internet age. The lyrics, delivered with a playful and nonchalant swagger, revolve around themes of newfound wealth, status, and the attention that comes with it. The song's meaning is not particularly deep or philosophical, but rather a reflection of a specific type of modern success story. bbno$ raps about a lifestyle that inspired his stage name, which stands for "baby no money," ironically highlighting his journey from financial struggles to a comfortable position. The repeated line, "Did I really just forget that melody?" which kicks off the song, sets a tone of accidental genius and effortless success, as if the catchy, viral hit was created with little to no effort. This plays into the larger narrative of the song, which is a celebration of making it big without taking oneself too seriously. The lyrics are filled with hyperbole and tongue-in-cheek boasts about money, women, and fashion, such as having a high credit score and a “pink whip with flames.” These are not just straightforward flexes, but rather a playful performance of the rapper persona, knowingly embracing the clichés of the genre.

The song kicks off with a moment of playful forgetfulness, as if the artist momentarily lost the catchy melody that forms the core of the track. This intro immediately sets a casual and self-aware tone. The narrative then dives into the perks of recent success, or “popping off.” The immediate consequence is attention from a woman, described in a braggadocious and slightly exaggerated manner. The artist, bbno$, identifies himself as being from the cold climate of Canada, a fact that contrasts with the hot, flamboyant persona he projects. He then touches upon a past of financial struggle, mentioning a low bankroll and nothing to withdraw, which serves to highlight his current, more prosperous status. The chorus is a repetitive and infectious chant, a simple yet effective boast. The sound of a shining wrist, represented by “shashasha,” is paired with a girl singing “lalala,” creating a vivid, almost cartoonish image of a flashy lifestyle. This sonic pairing is the central hook, emphasizing the artist's newfound ability to attract attention and admiration through his success and material possessions.

The first verse delves deeper into the specifics of this new life. He mentions his high credit score with American Express, a clear signifier of financial stability and trustworthiness in the capitalist world. This line is delivered with a sense of pride, as he notes that people wonder how he manages to acquire his wealth, or “guap.” He also highlights his performance style, rapping his own lyrics, suggesting an authenticity that he believes sets him apart. There’s a self-deprecating yet confident admission of being “corny,” but this is immediately followed by the assertion that his love interest's partner is still drawn to him, implying his personality is a key part of his appeal. He claims to be modest with his jewelry but encourages a look at his bank account, reinforcing the idea that his wealth is substantial but not gaudily displayed. The verse concludes with a sense of gratitude for his financial success.

The second chorus repeats the central theme, reinforcing the images of a shining wrist and an enamored woman. The addition of “Haha, I'm at the bank again” underscores the recurring nature of his financial dealings and his comfort in that environment. The imagery becomes more specific and extravagant with the mention of a pink whip with flames on the side, a deliberately over-the-top symbol of his success and unique style. He again questions how he achieves this distinctive “stride.” The verse continues with a reference to wearing Gucci, a classic symbol of luxury rap culture, and how it makes him desirable. There’s a playful, almost nonsensical line about “popped a lucy loosey goosey,” which adds to the song's quirky and carefree vibe. The verse ends with a juxtaposition of his past, “went to school,” and his present success, cautioning others not to underestimate him. The final repetition of the chorus solidifies the song's central message of flexing and enjoying the fruits of his labor in a fun, almost ironic way.

"Lalala" was created by producer Y2K (Ari Starace) and Canadian rapper bbno$ (Alexander Gumuchian). The song came together organically during a studio session. Y2K, who is known for his pop and hip-hop songwriting, recognized bbno$'s good vocal tone and encouraged him to sing on a track for the first time. The beat, which has a distinctive Spanish guitar feel, was made by Y2K in about 15 minutes. He has stated that it took him years of producing to become comfortable with creating such a simple yet effective beat. The initial inspiration for the track came when bbno$ mentioned Cardi B's "I Like It," which led Y2K to play a Latin-style riff. bbno$ then came up with the "nah nah nah" melody, and the song started to take shape. The memorable intro, "Did I really just forget that melody?" was a genuine moment in the studio. Y2K was in the control room and yelled the melody back to bbno$ in the recording booth, and his voice was picked up on the microphone. They decided to keep this authentic interaction in the final version. The lyrics were mostly written by bbno$, with Y2K contributing the "lalala" line and the reference to the American Express credit score. The song was written in about three hours. To promote the single, Y2K and bbno$ concocted fake origin stories about how they met and sent them to various music blogs, which helped generate buzz before the song's official release on June 7, 2019. The track was released via Columbia Records.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Lalala" are key to its infectious and memorable quality. The song follows a relatively simple rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets (AABB) within its verses, which makes the lyrics easy to follow and anticipate. For example, in the first verse, "score" rhymes with "perform," and "ring" rhymes with "thing" (a slant rhyme). This straightforward structure is common in pop and hip-hop, prioritizing catchiness over complex poetic forms. The rhythm of the lyrics is conversational and flows naturally over the beat. bbno$'s delivery is relaxed and slightly behind the beat at times, contributing to the song's nonchalant vibe. The chorus features a highly rhythmic and repetitive structure, with the "shashasha" and "lalala" creating a call-and-response feel that is both hypnotic and easy to chant. The tempo of 130 BPM gives the song an upbeat and danceable feel, and the interplay between the syncopated vocal rhythm and the steady beat of the drums creates a compelling groove. The song's rhythmic simplicity is one of its greatest strengths, making it accessible to a wide audience and perfect for its viral spread on platforms like TikTok.

"Lalala" employs a number of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, that contribute to its catchy and humorous nature. Musically, the song is built around a simple, Latin-tinged guitar riff that is highly repetitive and memorable, which is a key characteristic of pop and viral music. The track is in the key of D Phrygian, which gives it a slightly exotic and distinctive sound. The tempo is a danceable 130 BPM. Producer Y2K's background in pop songwriting is evident in the song's structure and focus on a strong, melodic hook. The vocal delivery from bbno$ is intentionally nonchalant and slightly goofy, which contrasts with the braggadocious lyrics, creating a sense of irony and self-awareness. The use of ad-libs and background vocals, including the authentic studio moment in the intro, adds to the song's playful and informal feel. Lyrically, the song relies on hyperbole and specific cultural references to paint a picture of a newly rich lifestyle. The use of onomatopoeia, such as "shashasha" for a shining wrist, is a simple but effective literary device. There is also a notable use of slang and modern internet-age terminology, which grounds the song in its contemporary context. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, which makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to.

"Lalala" had a significant cultural impact, primarily due to its viral success on the social media platform TikTok. The song's catchy hook and humorous tone made it a popular soundtrack for countless memes, dance challenges, and other short-form video content. This online popularity translated into mainstream chart success, with the song reaching number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100. For both Y2K and bbno$, it was their first charting single. The track has been certified triple platinum in the United States by the RIAA, signifying sales of over 3,000,000 units. The song's success is a testament to the power of social media in the modern music industry and the potential for independent artists to achieve widespread recognition. A remix of the song was released featuring prominent artists Enrique Iglesias and Carly Rae Jepsen, further solidifying its place in pop culture. The official music video, which features a colorful, children's show-themed set, also garnered millions of views and contributed to the song's playful and quirky image. "Lalala" is often cited as a prime example of a "TikTok hit" and has cemented its place in the landscape of viral internet culture of the late 2010s.

While "Lalala" is not a song laden with deep, complex symbolism, it employs a number of cultural signifiers and metaphors to convey its themes of wealth and status. The most prominent is the recurring image of the shining wrist, represented by the onomatopoeic "shashasha." This is a direct and simple symbol of luxury, alluding to a diamond-encrusted watch, a common trope in hip-hop to signify wealth. The "pink whip with flames on the side" is another exaggerated symbol of newfound riches and a flamboyant personality. The mention of an "Amex, no cap, eight hundred score" is a more modern and specific symbol of financial success and stability, moving beyond cash and jewelry to the realm of creditworthiness. The entire song can be seen as a metaphor for the often surreal and seemingly effortless nature of viral internet fame. The casual, almost accidental creation of the catchy melody, as suggested by the intro, symbolizes how quickly and unexpectedly success can arrive in the digital age. The title itself, "Lalala," is a simple, nonsensical vocalization that represents the infectious, easily digestible, and sometimes vacuous nature of viral content. The juxtaposition of bbno$ being from the cold of Canada with his hot, flashy lifestyle also serves as a subtle metaphor for his transformation from an ordinary person to a larger-than-life rap persona.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Lalala" is, of course, the phrase "lalala" itself, which appears in the chorus and serves as the song's title. This simple, catchy vocalization is the core of the song's hook and is repeated multiple times, making it highly memorable. The onomatopoeic "shashasha," representing a shining wrist, is another key recurring element that is always paired with the "lalala" in the chorus, creating a strong association between the sound of wealth and the expression of joy or attraction. The line, "Did I really just forget that melody?" is another significant recurring phrase, appearing at the beginning of the song and setting the stage for its accidental-hit narrative. The question "They wonder how, how I guap like that/stride like that" is repeated in the verses, emphasizing the artist's awareness of how his newfound success is perceived by others. The theme of being from Canada, a colder climate, is also mentioned multiple times, contrasting with the hot, flashy imagery of the rest of the song. These recurring elements provide structure and reinforce the central themes of the track, making it both cohesive and incredibly catchy.