Music: Here's four of the greatest hip-hop songs about gambling
While gambling is a popular pastime, especially for the rich and famous, which includes music artists, it isn’t featured too often in what would be described as mainstream music. However, one genre that has always featured gambling is hip-hop, with many tracks referencing the activity.
1. Kendrick Lamar – Vegas
Vegas is the gambling mecca and also the title of a hit track by Kendrick Lamar. In the production, Lamar brings together elements of love and of gambling in Vegas, with the latter getting underway at the blackjack table. From there, it's on to shooting craps, playing poker and spinning the reels of slot machines. Vegas is an excellent track with an elaborate storyline, but due to his fame, it's unlikely Lamar could enjoy what plays out in real life, but he has options, such as playing some of the best live casino games from home, which are just as good.
2. Akon – I’m So Paid
When you read the title of the Akon track I'm So Paid, it's obvious that there will be plenty of references to money and wealth. And, while some may not think the song is directly about gambling, there are elements that make you think it could be making reference to it. For example, Akon suggests succeeding against all odds, which is what you have to do when gambling in its many guises. There's also a reference to the ball bouncing too, which could relate to the action of a croupier when he drops the ball onto the roulette wheel.
3. Ghostface Killah – Pokerface
Yes, we know what you're thinking. Lady Gaga did do a track called Pokerface, but the one for our list is by hip-hop star Ghostface Killah because when you boil it down, it's a track that advertises poker more than any other song ever has. Dialogue from gambling movie Rounders, poker chips clinking and World Series of Poker commentary all feature in Pokerface. Ghostface Killah also brings the activity into play by speaking about his inability to handle the game and references pushing into the pot.
4. 2 Chainz – Countin
2 Chainz, like many others, speaks about luxury and material things in a lot of the music he’s made over the years. But in Countin, it’s more along the lines of the struggle for said riches and wealth and the determination to secure it. Some could be forgiven for thinking the track’s title relates to counting cards, but it doesn’t. The gambling element comes when 2 Chainz references betting ‘a hundred thou with the Falcons.’ Before he references ‘lost a hundred thousand with the Falcons.’
For such a popular pastime, you would’ve thought that gambling would have made it into more music tracks over the years, especially with how popular sports betting and playing casino games is. But if there is one genre that will always do a good job of bringing it to the forefront, it’s hip-hop. And it’s no surprise that many hip-hop artists have a love for gambling, be it betting on sports or hitting the casinos of Las Vegas.
