Rick Ross ft. Styles P – B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)

‘2010’

Characteristics of the Hip-Hop genre

2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)

The theme of blowing money fast, is clearly illustrated through the inclusion of expensive cars and a lot of jewelry.

The lyrics “Crime pays”, and image of $100 bills being counted and member of the artists entourage throwing $100 bills about.

The rapper ‘Rick Ross’ says “My Rolls Royce triple black” at the very start of the beginning verse. This amplifies the fact that our music

artist has a lot of money. (Rolls Royce, being a very expensive car). Showing that Rick Ross

only buys the best, the fact that Rolls Royce is also a British car known for its luxury also

illustrates a lot about his riches.

The theme of blowing money fast is exaggerated through the excessive amount of jewelry “look at my time

piece…hundred wrecks at least”

2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)

The chorus of a song is usually the way in which a track can be summarized to some great extent. “One nation, under God, real n***** getting money from the f****** start” is a line from the chorus which emulates the recurring theme of spending money quickly (of which the song is based on). The image of the artist Rick Ross throwing $100 bills about, illustrates how affluent he truly is. But also amplifies the fact that he has money, by making his money seem like a trivial thing. Which in a sense can appear quite contradictive.

“Look at yourself, now look at me, you can’t see a n**** I'm what you you use to be. Look at it this way, you n***** sideways, always getting money my n**** crime pays”. By saying look at yourself, now look at me Rick Ross differentiates himself from others by using his wealth as a border of separation. The lyrics “crime pays” suggests that Rick Ross makes his money through committing felonies. This is then illustrates through the discreet counting of a stack of money, (seen to the right) which amplifies that his money is illegally made. This image of crime/felonies is reinforced by the lyrics “Where the f****** felons, where my dawgs at?” . Meaning these felons are in fact Rick Ross’ counterparts.

The fact that the majority of the money shown in the video are $100 bills amplifies Rick Ross’ opulence. But there are many elements the lyrics which contradict this. For example when he says “Stunt so hard” in the second verse. The word ‘Stunting’ meaning showing off; perhaps contradicts his lyrics and instead shows how he masquerades as someone whom possess genuine riches. This idea is amplified through his over extravagant wearing of jewelry, which again can be seen to be worn under false pretences.

3.There is a relationship between music and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)