How Did Status and Wealth Become Such Prevalent Concepts in the Music Industry?

To say that the music industry is so diverse and home to more than 41 genres, it’s surprising that some themes are so well-trodden across all types. Love, death, coming of age, and friendships are all highly prevalent themes for music and lyricism. Another topic that seems to be cropping up more frequently is wealth. The likes of Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Doja Cat all sing about riches, and listeners can’t get enough. So why is it that so many people like to listen to songs about status and money?

Money Has Existed in Music for Decades

The idea of singing about money isn’t a new thing, and the leading ladies mentioned above are hardly pioneers, in this respect. Indeed, songs about wealth and status can be traced all the way back to the 1950s and 1960s. One of the first legendary songs to feature these themes was If I Were a Rich Man, from Fiddler on the Roof in 1964. The song by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock is about the common desire of people to be rich and not have to work anymore.

Some other notable songs about finances listed by https://www.timeout.com include the likes of Abba’s Money, Money, Money in 1976, Money by Pink Floyd in 1973, and Money (That’s What I Want) by Barret Strong in 1959. All these songs are sung from the perspective of someone who doesn’t have enough money and wants to acquire more. They were relatable for everyday listeners who may have felt the same in their own situations.

In the 1990s, though, there was a shift from artists dreaming about riches to boasting about how wealthy they were. The Notorious B.I.G was one of the trailblazers of a new form of hip-hop in which rappers bragged about who much they were worth. Songs like Juicy and Big Poppa allowed the rapper to display his wealth, but they also told a story of how he went from rags to riches – a relatable path that any average Joe could aspire to follow.

Biggie’s legacy is still going strong in the rap industry, and many of today’s most popular hip-hop artists sing about how much money they have. It has also spilled over into other genres such as R&B, with Grande being one of the modern propagators of the theme.

According to https://www.thehypemagazine.com/, Grande’s 7 Rings is one of her most notable songs on extravagance and wealth, though the lyrics also autobiographically explore the tribulations of her past and her journey to self-love, in the wake of relationship woes. For fans, though they may be unable to identify with Grande’s sizeable wealth and status, the odes to common issues in the relationship department and general life struggles are enough to forge a connection with the iconic pop star.

Form of Escapism and Allows Listeners to Dream

Music is a form of entertainment, but it can also act as escapism, taking listeners to places they’ve never been before. It can allow them to see things through other people’s perspectives, and even change their views about important issues in the world. In addition, the lyricism and power of music can serve as inspiration for burgeoning artists, encouraging them to dream big and perhaps follow in the footsteps of their favourite artists. Oftentimes, songs express concepts such as the American dream in that they document people’s drastic rags-to-riches stories and can serve as the soundtrack for underdogs.

Music isn’t the only place to find these themes either. Films and games also offer people a chance to dream about affluence. In games, players can feel rich by accumulating in-game currency. There are also titles like Grand Theft Auto that allow players to rise from zero to hero. Games about money can be found across all genres, with https://www.vegasslotsonline.com/uk offering up numerous options like She’s a Rich Girl, Cool Jewels, and Da Vinci Diamonds. All of these can be played for free or for real money, and they are evidently popular with audiences as the aforementioned titles tend to populate the top played games pages for most online casino sites currently on the market. The genre is suitable for slots, as players can fantasize about what they would do if they won.

Music has always been a way for people to experience ideas that they may not have thought of before, and the notion of wealth is one that many listeners dream about. While it may seem like artists are big-headed at times, they may just be describing how other people can follow in their footsteps.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.