Quavo & Lana Del Rey, Tough | Song Review 🎵

Quavo and Lana Del Rey prove that an unexpected, unlikely pairing can pay off musically. “Tough” is ready-made for summer and beyond.

“Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots / Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude…” Quavo and Lana Del Rey make an unlikely musical pair. However, “Tough” is a prime example of an unexpected collaboration that works out well. Somehow, the Grammy-nominated melodic rapper and the Grammy-nominated western-flavored, alt-pop singer/songwriter remain true to self stylistically to pull off “Tough.” There are multiple songwriters while Cirkut and watt produced it.  Prepare to chill TF out listening to this one!

Del Rey is the first voice heard, accompanied by a ‘characteristic’ backdrop. The sound is similar to past songs, embracing an alternative vibe.  Also, musically and lyrically it brings in a country-western vibe too.  After hearing the chill, relaxed vocals by Del Rey, my question was, how does Quavo fit? Once the beat drops, the hip-hop identity of the track is born.  He brings the heat in the first verse, mentioning “the 808s beatin’ in the trunk in Atlanta.” He also plays off the tough narrative, asserting, “Standin’ through the storm, still shinin’ like a diamond in the rough.” The pair joins forces in the second chorus. The chemistry between them is amazing – better than anticipated.  More of that chemistry shines in the second verse where they trade lines. Again, Lana is true to self as is Quavo.  “Tell me how it’s hard for / Like the nickel on the strings in your good old Gibson guitar,” they sing, continuing, “Tell me what it feel like / Like the smoke in the drawl of your ‘Y’all’ and the way you talk slow.” Del Rey gets another moment to shine, nailing the bridge before they collab together once more in the chorus.  There’s also a playful outro where seemingly two opposing worlds collide.  “Tough” is a vibe – I’m not sure if there is any other way to put it. This song is readymade for summer.

Quavo & Lana Del Rey // “Tough” // Quality Control Music / Motown // 7.3.24

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Quality Control Music / Motown; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]