Black Beatles – Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane

Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles,” featuring Gucci Mane, is a standout track from the duo’s 2016 album SremmLife 2. The song, produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and featuring the iconic rapper Gucci Mane, has achieved significant acclaim for its infectious beat, catchy lyrics, and its role in a viral social media phenomenon. The official music video for “Black Beatles” further amplifies the track’s cultural impact, presenting a visually compelling narrative that complements the song’s themes of fame and extravagant living.

The Song: A Brief Overview
“Black Beatles” is a quintessential example of Rae Sremmurd’s signature style—a blend of catchy hooks, energetic beats, and confident lyrics. The track features a minimalist beat with a prominent, bass-heavy rhythm that serves as a backdrop for the duo’s charismatic delivery. The collaboration with Gucci Mane adds an extra layer of gravitas to the song, infusing it with his distinctive Southern rap style and lyrical prowess.

The lyrics of “Black Beatles” reflect themes of wealth, fame, and the lifestyle that accompanies it. The term “Black Beatles” itself is a clever play on the idea of being as influential and iconic as The Beatles, but with a modern, urban twist. The chorus is memorable for its repetition and the way it reinforces the song’s main themes, creating a catchy anthem that resonates with listeners and fits seamlessly into the broader context of Rae Sremmurd’s musical narrative.

The Music Video: A Visual Feast
The official music video for “Black Beatles,” directed by DAPS, is a vibrant and visually arresting piece that captures the song’s essence while adding a layer of narrative depth. The video opens with a surreal and dreamlike sequence, featuring the artists in a lavish, otherworldly setting. This introduction sets the tone for the rest of the video, which is characterized by its bold colors, luxurious imagery, and a playful yet sophisticated aesthetic.

One of the most notable aspects of the video is its elaborate set design. The visual representation of wealth and excess is evident throughout, with scenes featuring extravagant parties, opulent settings, and a high-energy atmosphere. This aligns with the song’s lyrics and reinforces the theme of living a lavish lifestyle. The video’s use of vivid colors and dynamic camera angles adds to the sense of grandeur and spectacle, making it a fitting visual accompaniment to the track.

Themes and Symbolism
The “Black Beatles” video employs a range of visual elements to explore themes of fame, excess, and the surreal nature of celebrity culture. The recurring motif of opulence is not just a display of material wealth but also a commentary on the way fame transforms one’s life into a larger-than-life spectacle. The video’s dreamlike quality, with its fantastical imagery and exaggerated settings, serves to highlight the disconnect between reality and the public persona of celebrities.

Gucci Mane’s appearance in the video adds another layer of meaning. His role as a seasoned rapper and a symbol of success in the Southern rap scene complements Rae Sremmurd’s youthful exuberance and ambition. The interaction between the artists in the video underscores the idea of generational influence and collaboration within the music industry.

The Viral Phenomenon: The “Mannequin Challenge”
One of the most significant cultural impacts of “Black Beatles” was its association with the viral “Mannequin Challenge.” This internet phenomenon involved people freezing in place, mimicking mannequins, while the song played in the background. The challenge became a global trend, with celebrities, athletes, and everyday people participating and sharing their own versions of the challenge on social media.

The “Mannequin Challenge” not only boosted the song’s popularity but also demonstrated the powerful synergy between music and social media. Rae Sremmurd’s song became synonymous with this viral trend, reinforcing its presence in popular culture and extending its reach beyond traditional music channels. The video itself features references to this trend, further cementing the song’s connection to contemporary social media culture.

Reception and Impact
“Black Beatles” received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. The song’s catchy hook and the video’s high-energy visuals contributed to its success, making it a staple on radio stations and streaming platforms. The song’s success was bolstered by its association with the “Mannequin Challenge,” which helped it achieve a level of cultural relevance that extended beyond the music industry.

The video’s impact is also evident in its aesthetic choices, which have influenced subsequent music videos and visual media. The use of vibrant colors, surreal settings, and extravagant imagery has set a new standard for visual storytelling in hip-hop videos, showcasing how artistic creativity can enhance the overall experience of a song.

Conclusion
Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” featuring Gucci Mane is a prime example of how music videos can elevate a song’s impact and reinforce its thematic elements. The official music video, with its opulent visuals and playful narrative, complements the track’s exploration of fame and excess. The song’s association with the viral “Mannequin Challenge” further cemented its place in popular culture, demonstrating the powerful intersection of music and social media. Through its creative visuals and cultural relevance, “Black Beatles” continues to stand out as a significant work in Rae Sremmurd’s discography and in the broader landscape of hip-hop music.

Black beatles in the city be back immediately to confiscate the moneys
Rae Sremm, Guwop, Mike WiLL!
I sent flowers, but you said you didn’t receive ’em
But you said you didn’t need them
That girl is a real crowd pleaser
Small world, all her friends know me
Young bull livin’ like an old geezer
Release the cash, watch it fall slowly
Frat girls still tryna get even
Haters mad for whatever reason
Smoke in the air, binge drinkin’
They lose it when the DJ drops the needle
Gettin’ so cold I’m not blinkin’
What in the world was I thinkin’?
New day, new money to be made
There is nothing to explain
I’m a fuckin black Beatle, cream seats in the Regal
Rockin John Lennon lenses like to see ’em spread eagle
Took a bitch to the club and let her party on the table
Screamin’ “everybody’s famous”
Like clockwork, I blow it all
And get some more
Get you somebody that can do both
Black Beatles got the babes belly rolling
She think she love me
I think she trollin’
That girl is a real crowd pleaser
Small world, all her friends know me
Young bull livin’ like an old geezer
Release the cash, watch it fall slowly
Frat girls still tryna get even
Haters mad for whatever reason
Smoke in the air, binge drinkin’
They lose it when the DJ drops the needle
Came in with two girls, look like strippers in their real clothes
A broke hoe can only point me to a rich hoe
A yellow bitch with green hair, a real weirdo
Black man, yellow Lamb’, real life goals
They seen that Guwop and them just came in through the side door
There’s so much money on the floor we buyin school clothes
Watch me break the money machine till her clothes fall
Pint of lean, pound of weed, and a kilo
I eurostep past a hater like I’m Rondo
I upgrade your baby mama to a condo
My Chapos servin’ yayo to the gringos
Black Beatle, club close when I say so
That girl is a real crowd pleaser
Small world, all her friends know me
Young bull livin’ like an old geezer
Release the cash, watch it fall slowly
Frat girls still tryna get even
Haters mad for whatever reason
Smoke in the air, binge drinkin’
They lose it when the DJ drops the needle
She’s a good teaser, and we blowin’ reefer
Your body like a work of art, baby
Don’t fuck with me, I’ll break your heart, baby
D&G on me, I got a lot of flavor
15 hundred on my feet, I’m tryna kill these haters
I had haters when I was broke, I’m rich, I still got haters
I had hoes when I was broke, I’m rich, I’m still a player
I wear leather Gucci jackets like its still the 80’s
I’ve been blowin’ OG Kush, I feel a lil’ sedated
I can’t worry about a broke nigga or a hater
Black Beatle, bitch, me and Paul McCartney related
That girl is a real crowd pleaser
Small world, all her friends know me
Young bull livin’ like an old geezer
Release the cash, watch it fall slowly
Frat girls still tryna get even
Haters mad for whatever reason
Smoke in the air, binge drinkin’
They lose it when the DJ drops the needle