Rap music and gambling are two distinctly different areas of entertainment that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, a closer look reveals some surprising parallels between the two worlds.
Most rappers often refer in their lyrics to a life of luxury, wealth, and achievement. This is due to the ambition of the artists and their pursuit of success. They use images of money and luxury to express their goals and ambitions. Gambling games such as casinos and poker become metaphors for taking risks and being able to double down on their accomplishments.
An example is famous rapper Jay-Z, who, in his song “Empire State of Mind,” sings: “Yeah, I’m out that Brooklyn, now I’m down in Tribeca / Right next to De Niro, but I’ll be hood forever.” In this line, Jay-Z mentions Tribeca, the New York City neighborhood where the famous Tribeca Grand Hotel casino is located. This reference emphasizes his success in life and connects him to the atmosphere of luxury and gambling.
Mention can also be made of Drake, who, in his song “Started From the Bottom,” talks about his road to success: “Started from the bottom, now we’re here / Started from the bottom, now my whole team fucking here.” In this line, Drake describes his aspiration to reach the top and compares it to the casino game, where the beginning can be humble, but with luck and effort, he can reach the top. It is known that the rapper himself also likes to try his luck. However, the celebrity prefers big bets on sports and land-based casinos and does waste time on no deposit casinos Canada on the Internet, as do many of his compatriots who get lured by bonuses.
Another example, but not from the rap world, is Lady Gaga’s hit song “Poker Face,” in which she sings: “Can’t read my, can’t read my, no, he can’t read my poker face.” In this line, Lady Gaga associates her power and control with a poker player who cannot recognize her intentions.
Examples like this from contemporary music and 90’s hits can be cited for a long time, as many performers (especially from the rap genre) build their image around money, wealth, and the need to bathe in luxury.
Rap music and gambling have unexpected similarities in their images and motifs. Rappers use symbols of wealth and gambling to express their ambition, risky lifestyle, and desire for success. Casinos and poker become metaphors for risk-taking and the possibility of achieving wealth. The examples of foreign rappers and quotes from their songs show how these parallels are expressed in the world of rap music.