“Scared Money” by YG (ft. J. Cole and Moneybagg Yo)
As far as the title/chorus is concerned, this song (“Scared Money”) is based on an old ‘hood adage that goes “scared money don’t make money”. What that actually is supposed to mean, in simplified layman’s terms, is that you shouldn’t expect to generate a substantial amount of dough unless you’re also willing to bravely invest some.
But the lyrics of this song aren’t really about such a subject, i.e. advising listeners on how to invest or anything like that. Instead, perhaps the simplest way to describe what’s going down here is as wealth-based braggadocio, the type you would more or less expect from the rappers at hand.
There is also what can be deemed a special emphasis on women, especially as far as YG is concerned. And what he is saying along those lines in his verse is akin to bragging about being a pimp.
Meanwhile the chorus is letting dudes know that unless their own woman is really attractive, then one shouldn’t be claiming that they’re “lit” or poppin’ like the artists at hand. So maybe what YG is putting forth, in a roundabout way, is that guys shouldn’t be afraid to invest money in securing a woman who is extremely sexy. Nah, just kidding! Coming off like a pimp and all, obviously this vocalist is more interested in extracting money from women then spending it on them.
The Sneakers Subtheme
What can be deemed another subtheme of this piece, i.e. a topic that all three rappers refer to in some way, shape or form, is sneakers. Actually YG and J. Cole do make reference to the former’s own brand of footwear. But Moneybagg Yo rather uses a sneaker-inspired metaphor related to NBA star Zion Williamson, which leads back to the concept of Yo being on top of his game.
Popular Namedrops in “Scared Money”
And with said metaphor in mind, a third notable aspect of this piece is that it features a lot of namedrops, including another NBAer in Luka Doncic, rappers Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Drake, former NFL star Michael Vick and of course a few luxury brands such as Lamborghini and what have you.
In Conclusion
Also interesting to note is that also for perhaps the first time in song, Cole mentions his brief stint as a professional basketball player in Rwanda, in bit of an exaggerate way. And relatedly, the overall goal of this piece seems to revolve around the rappers illustrating, in various ways, that they’re paid, talented, wise or what have you and accordingly really enjoying life.
Quick Facts about “Scared Money”
Previously YG was featured on Moneybagg Yo’s track “Curry Jersey” (2018). But this is apparently the first time he’s teamed up with J. Cole.
For the record the three vocalists are from different parts of the United States. YG is from Los Angeles, Cole, North Carolina and Moneybagg You, Memphis.
Besides for YG, Moneybagg Yo and Cole, the other credited writer of this song is Gibbo, who also produced the track.
The release date of “Scared Money” was the 4th of February, 2022. It is from YG’s 2022 project entitled “Pray for Me”.
According to YG, during the shooting of the song’s music video, a lot of people from his team caught COVID. Owing to this, the song’s release date had to be postponed.
