After analyzing the text of Jay-Z and Alicia Key’s “Empire State of Mind,” I got to thinking that there are similar songs that address the
dark issues that big cities and bright lights pose to young women. The messages
in Drake’s “Houstatlantavegas” also touch on these issues, but instead of a
singular verse the entire song is referencing young women who have been reduced
to “exotic dancing” or prostitution as a means of survival.
Drake’s song, “Houstatlantavegas” first offers insight to
the listener through the title. One should understand that the title is a
combination of Houston, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. These three cities have very
provocative, fast-paced lifestyles associated with them and a high abundance of
gentlemen’s clubs and prostitution similarly to New York.
The lyrics from verse three of “Empire State of Mind” and
those throughout “Houstatlantavegas” touch on identical points.
Drake’s Lyrics Read:
“HEY
THERE...PRETTY GIRL. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU GOT AND I DONT...
BLAME YOU AT ALL,YOU CANT RESIST IT. ESPECIALLY
WHEN THE LIGHTS SO
BRIGHT, AND THE MONEY SO RIGHT, AND ITS COMING IN EVERY SINGLE NIGHT...”
Jay-Z's Lyrics Read:
"Lights is blinding,
girls need blinders…
don’t bite the apple Eve”
In both lyrics, there are mentions of light. In Drake’s mention
his representation of light is one of captivation. When people are lost, we are
encouraged to follow the light but bright light can blind people—from their
goals and better judgment—as interpreted in Jay-Z’s lyric. He mentions the
blinding effect of light and how the need to no longer be lost makes this light
attractive to women who have come looking for themselves in a city like New
York. Drake’s mention of “resist” also brings up the idea of temptation. He is saying
that women are unable to resist the temptation because of the bright light (which
also represents attention) and the extensive amounts of money. Jay-Z’s line
about temptation takes us back to biblical times of the first women and her
encounter with temptation and how well that did not turn out for her.
Another line of Drake’s that speaks to the problem of young women
in the big cities reads: “… she’s scared of ending up alone…” This line is
significant because it connects to Maggie of Stephen Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, who
feared being alone and resorted to prostitution. Maggie, who also feared being
alone ended up meeting her demise and that is the conclusion we are too draw
from connecting these two texts.
The looming issue of young women is the city is obviously one that
demands national attention as it appears not only in late 19thcentury literature, but two 21st century rap songs by different artists
about different cities. In class discussions, we have seen discussed the
importance nature versus nurture and how environmental determinism plays a role
in society but with these findings I think it is safe to say that surroundings
can affect the outcome of one’s life. Even places like Austin, although not as big as most metro cities, prostitution poses some major community issues.
