Pride | 5ive Songs

On the 88^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with PRIDE in some form or fashion.

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elcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 88^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with PRIDE in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Coldplay, “People of the Pride”

Music of the Spheres • Parlophone • 2021

In need of a f-bomb to add intensity to Music of the Spheres, the 9^th studio album by Grammy-winning alt-rock quartet, Coldplay? Look no further than “People of the Pride,” where front man Chris Martin curses! “There’s a man who swears he’s God / Unbelievers will be shot,” Martin asserts on the first verse, continuing, “There’s a man who walks around / Like he owns the fucking lot.” Uh-oh – I also sense some religious skepticism, which might be more notable than that unnecessary ‘fuckery.’

Beyond that, however, the bridge features the most important, inclusive lyrics:

“We’ll all be free to fall in love
With who we want and say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
People of the pride
Go.” 

With some memorable lyrical moments, as well as some fine production wizardry, “People of the Pride” ranks among the best of Music of the Spheres.

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2. J. Cole, “p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l”

Ft. Lil Baby

The Off-Season • Dreamville / Roc Nation • 2021

“Bright lights pass me in the city, it’s emergency / I’m thankful ‘cause I made it past my thirties, no one murdered me.” Woo! On “p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l,” a standout from The Off-Season, Grammy-winning rapper J. Cole speaks about how pride can be a negative thing.

On the first verse, Cole asserts, “Pride be the reason for the family dichotomy / Got uncles and some aunties that’s too proud to give apologies.” True – FACTS! Of course, a huge selling point is the featured guest: Lil Baby.  Lil Baby has ‘been on a tear’ and that ‘tear’ continues on the second verse of “p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l.” One of my favorite lines:

“Got my feet up, I paid silly bands to have sex on the jet
I don’t need ‘em, that shit in the past, I’m feelin’ like what’s next.”

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3. Shelley FKA DRAM & Summer Walker, “All Pride Aside”

Shelley FKA DRAM • EMPIRE / Atlantic • 2021 

Grammy-nominated artist DRAM has been reborn as Shelley FKA DRAM. On his long-awaited sophomore album, Shelley FKA DRAM, the “Broccoli” hit maker embraces R&B exclusively – a smart choice! Shelley runs just 10 tracks deep and 38 minutes long but proves to be incredibly rewarding, beginning with the soulful opener, “All Pride Aside.”

“All Pride Aside” is buttery smooth in all aspects.  Beginning with Shelley himself, he serves up expressive, sophisticated vocals, showing off his gorgeous upper register.  He enlists fellow R&B standout Summer Walker for the assist.  As we’ve come to expect from Walker, she continues to deliver a cooler brand of R&B – more laid back and chill, yet still expressive.  While I’d argue DRAM is the more dynamic of the two vocalists on “All Pride Aside,” the end result is positive, period.

Also appears on :
‘A’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

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4. $uicideBoy$, “Putrid Pride”

STOP STARING AT THE SHADOWS • G*59 • 2020

$uicideBoy$ returned in 2020 with their sophomore album, Stop Staring at the Shadows.  Ruby Da Cherry and Scrim have been far more prolific, however, releasing numerous projects prior to their two studio albums.  On “Putrid Pride,” Budd Dwyer (Scrim, of course) gives the Boy$ a dark, slick backdrop to spit over. 

Two new alter egos arrive “Putrid Pride.” Scrim appears as Lil Cig, rapping the first verse and select portions of the chorus.  He doesn’t serve up anything transcendent but give him credit for “Popping on pills like I pop cough drops” and being a “multi-millionaire all from my laptop / Slob on my knob until your jaw lock.” As for Ruby, he’s 40 Blunts, handling the second verse and most of the chorus that precedes it:

“As the years go by
Another day closer to death
Time is ticking, hurry.”

40 Blunts also manage a couple of standout lines such as “The same fuck girls will be fucking the same fuck boys” and “The same heroes you once had have been reduced to a toy.” Sure, “Putrid Pride” fails to reach two minutes in duration, but it’s potent, nonetheless.

Also appears on :
13 P Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

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5. Kendrick Lamar, “PRIDE”

DAMN. • Interscope • 2017

“I don’t trust people enough beyond they surface, world / I don’t love people enough to put my faith in men…” Agreed, Kendrick Lamar, agreed! “PRIDE” appears on Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2017 album, DAMN..  “I put my faith in these lyrics, hoping I make amend,” the rapper continues the first verse of this slow, meaningful, and powerful standout from DAMN.   

“PRIDE” is a prime example of continual depth and transcendence that characterizes DAMN. Beyond the literal faith of the first verse, morality, and immorality – spiritually-related things – play a role.  Pride, of course, is considered a sin.

“Sick venom in men and women overcome with pride
A perfect world is never perfect, only filled with lies.”

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Pride: 5ive Songs No. 88 (2021) [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Bruce mars, Clovis Cheminot, Dreamville, EMPIRE, G*59, Interscope, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Parlophone, Pixabay, Roc Nation, Unsplash]

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