Scholarships by Drake Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Ambition Behind the Bling
Lyrics
I count this money up, I’m already rich
I go so hard with these riches
I fell in love as a dodie
I fell in love with the Rollie
I wake up, pray every morning
These demons, they callin’ my soul
I said fuck all of you hoes
I’m ballin’ outta control
I’m ballin’ outta control
If I can give everything back to you
All this passion I got, all I ever needed
For me to move on and succeed
For me to move on and succeed
Jealousy, envy and greed
Too much of that shit I don’t need it
I turned on the gas with a nickle plated
I sit back and laugh ’cause these niggas traitors
Mentally, none of this shit can phase me
Mentally, none of this shit can phase me
I came out of trenches, I really made it
I come out the gutter, I really made it
I stack up the butter, I gotta save it
Stack up the cheddar, you gotta save it
Shoot out the car with no lovey dovey
These bitches, they lookin’ for hubbie hubbie
I’m lookin’ for paper in any city
I got a bitch located in every city
Gotta have ’em sticks on us in every city
Take the private, it’s ugly out here we gettin’ it
Spent like seven hundred thousand on both the Bentleys
I got love for the city, I juug and get it
I wake up on a daily basis
I count the money, man I’m already rich
I go so hard with these riches
I fell in love with the dodie
I fell in love with the Rollie
Wake up and pray every morning
Demons, they callin’ my soul
I said fuck all of you hoes
I’m ballin’ outta control, I’m ballin’ outta control
I’m ballin’ outta control, I’m ballin’ outta control
I need acknowledgement, If I got it then tell me I got it then
I’m ballin’ outta control, keep on receiving the scholarships
Mail comin’ to the house, nigga please, watch your mouth
I’m the one without a doubt, yeah
And I rock Kentucky blue on these hoes
Drafted, I’m gettin’ choose by these hoes
Usually they just leave when we done
I don’t wanna share no room with these hoes
Metro gon’ make it boom on these hoes
And me, I just stick and move on these hoes
We got that purple rain for the pain
My niggas, we ain’t change, we ain’t change
I wake up on a daily basis
I count this money up, I’m already rich
I go so hard with these riches
I fell in love as a dodie
I fell in love with the Rollie
I wake up pray every morning
These demons, they callin’ my soul
I said fuck all of you hoes
I’m ballin’ outta control, I’m ballin’ outta control
I’m ballin’ outta control, I’m ballin’ outta control
At first glance, Drake’s ‘Scholarships’ might come across as a typical braggadocio rap anthem, swimming in the glorification of wealth and materialism. But a discerning ear will unravel layers of an artist straddling the duality of success and the inner turmoil that comes with it. ‘Scholarships’ offers a glimpse into the psyche of a man who equates financial gain with accomplishment, while battling the relentless demons of his past.
Beneath the surface of ostentatious luxury, there’s a story of a relentless grind, a fear of stagnation, and an unyielding desire for recognition. Drake lays bare his triumphs alongside vulnerability, uniquely marrying the gritty with the glamorous. The track’s haunting beat underpins a narrative much deeper than it first appears, beckoning us to listen closer.
Grey Poupon or Grit? A Look at Drake’s Luxurious Laments
Throughout ‘Scholarships,’ Drake repeatedly cites the wealth and lifestyle that he’s acquired, a motif that threads together his victory over adversity. There’s an almost paradoxical longing for validation, even as he counts his blessings ‘on a daily basis’. This tug-of-war reveals a man who has everything but still seeks acknowledgment from his peers and the world at large.
The references to ‘dodie’ and the ‘Rollie’—slang for marijuana and Rolex, respectively—are symbolic of the vices and victories that accompany Drake’s rise. They represent both the escape from reality and the tangible proof of success he’s achieved. There’s a bittersweet tinge to his attachment to these items, hinting at the solitude at the top.
Melodic Escapism: The Power of Prayer and Demons
Drake juxtaposes his morning prayers with the call of his demons, painting a picture of his daily battle with temptation and negativity. His invocation for spiritual guidance amidst the chaos implies a yearning for peace that money can’t buy. It’s a powerful admission of vulnerability in the hyper-masculine world of hip-hop.
The repetitive nature of the chorus, where the idea of prayer and demons recur, underscores the cyclical struggle inherent in his journey. Despite his indisputable success, there’s an undercurrent of unrest, a fight for moral balance in the entropic world of fame.
Rags to Riches: The Street Saga and A Higher Calling
Drake’s rags-to-riches narrative isn’t a new trope in rap, but ‘Scholarships’ goes beyond the cliché, delving into the emotional toll of emerging ‘out of trenches’. It’s a solemn nod to his past, acknowledging the depths from which he’s ascended while maintaining his guard against those who remain envious of his achievements.
Lines such as ‘I sit back and laugh ’cause these niggas traitors’ reveal Drake’s cognizance of the treacherous path he’s navigated. The ‘scholarships’ he now receives metaphorically acknowledge his survival and success, validating the hustle that brought him acclaim, even as he disassociates from the toxicity he left behind.
The Anthem’s Aria: Unpacking the Hook’s Hidden Meanings
‘Scholarships’ central chant, with its heady mix of prayer, wealth, and defiance, serves as more than a catchy hook—it’s a mission statement. The reference to scholarships can be interpreted as Drake’s receipt of life’s hard-earned lessons, knowledge paid in full by his own hand. It symbolizes the rewards reaped through perseverance and self-reliance.
Moreover, the scholarships seem to signify the validation and respect Drake craves. It’s as if each ‘mail comin’ to the house’ is a diploma of distinction, a ledger of his worth beyond the monetary success. These lyrical scholarships are the accolades from the university of life—where Drake majored in hustle and minored in survival.
Looping Lyrics and Lingering Lines: Drake’s Poetic Punches
What sets ‘Scholarships’ apart are those lines that loop in listeners’ heads, such as ‘I need acknowledgment, If I got it then tell me I got it then’. A simple request for recognition becomes a powerful plea, and Drake’s insistence on receiving it underscores the human need for external validation, regardless of inner confidence or outer success.
Another memorable line, ‘I’m the one without a doubt, yeah,’ serves as Drake’s self-affirmation amidst the noise of skeptics. It’s a mantra of self-assurance, a reminder to himself and to the world of his irrefutable impact on the game. Through such lines, Drake cements his legacy not just in dollars, but in the undeniable influence he wields.
