Rent | 5ive Songs

On the 8^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with RENT in some form or fashion.

W

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 8^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with RENT in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

---

1. Mary J. Blige, “Rent Money” (Ft. Dave East)

Good Morning Gorgeous • Mary Jane Productions / 300 Entertainment • 2022

“This can’t be reality / I’m picking up the pieces of the puzzle / Here all by myself, yeah / I can’t even wish you well.”  “Rent Money” was released as the third single from Good Morning Gorgeous, the first album released by Mary J. Blige in five years. D’Mile produced this relatively chill joint that samples The Notorious B.I.G. record, “Fuck You Tonight”.

For good measure, over the relaxed, soulful backdrop, Mary J. Blige brings some bite:

“Look now my rent money due

I spent everything fuckin’ with you, oh

They say you win some, you win some you lose

All I got is rent money due

Fucking with you.”

Blige invested her all into this man and she’s literally left with nothing.  After spending, being loyal, and of course, sex, she’s ultimately in a bad spot – that rent is due!  Basically, she can’t depend on him. Featured guest Dave East fittingly, plays the guy who’s messed over her, asserting, “Phone out, she recording / Just so she can get the proof / It was all good when we was in the mood.” Sounds like he’s no good, Mary, but this song – it’s ‘on-point’ girl!

---

2. Big Freedia, “Rent”

3rd Ward Bounce (EP) • Asylum Worldwide • 2018

The Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia, returned in a big way on 3rd Ward Bounce (EP), released in 2018. Freedia built buzz for the project with a killer promo single, “Rent”, an incredibly energetic record. Freedia isn’t playing around, delivering mad attitude throughout the course of “Rent.”  The feistiness she exhibits – the sassiness – is the crowning achievement of the record. A standout example occurs towards the end of the song.

“Bitch I’m your landlord (uh huh, uh huh)

Don’t got no remorse (nope nah not at all)

Pack your bags boy (pack ‘em up pack ‘em up)

You don’t live here no more (no more, no more).”

The lyrics are a treat, particularly the catchy, sung hook, the centerpiece of the record.

“You don’t pay no rent (no no)

You don’t pay no rent (no no)​

All this time I’ve spent (uh huh uh huh)

Still don’t pay no rent (nope).”

Beyond the lyrics and tongue-in-cheek approach, the production work stands out.  The production is funky, incorporating old-school hip-hop and a dash of rock. While “Rent” is predominantly fueled by old-school elements, it also incorporates the thudding 808s of the new millennium. #Fierce

---

3. Future, “Rent Money”

FUTURE • Epic • 2017

“Got the money comin’ in, it ain’t no issues / I just fucked a rapper bitch, I should diss you.” WOO! Things start ferociously on Future (2017) with “Rent Money.”  All in all, “Rent Money” is pristine Future, period. The Grammy-winning rapper is true to self.  Sure, he recycles the flow from “In Her Mouth,” a standout from his EVOL album (“”), but that doesn’t inhibit “Rent Money” from kicking ass and taking names – RAWR!!!

The flex action on “Rent Money” is unstoppable.  There are mafia references, serious drip, drugs, and of course, S-E-X (“I just slam dunked ya bitch, hall of fame”).  Future’s confidence is through the roof, particularly moments like, “I’m a big dog, it ain’t no sense in holdin’ back / On my Usain Bolt shit, I ran up in yo’ set.” Day-um! Though dated these days, in the second verse, Future even references the former television hit, Empire, asserting, “I built my empire up like Lucious.” The big takeaway is, Future isn’t hurting for money – he’s a big balla!

---

4. Todrick Hall, “Rent”

Quarantine Queen • Todrick Hall / frtyfve • 2020

“Dear landlord, girl, I think you must be bored / Saw your notice on my door / But I tossed it on the floor / See Miss COVID came and shut us down.” Woo! At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, there was a moratorium on evictions. Why? Well, many folks lost jobs and were forced to quarantine at home.  “Rent,” which appears on Quarantine Queen, a 2020 EP by colorful, openly gay pop musician Todrick Hall, speaks to the rent NOT being due sans consequences.  Calling this record fabulous would be an UNDERSTATEMENT.

“Fuck the rent (fuck the rent)

I just got fired so you ain’t getting a cent

Fuck the rent

And that stimulus check they sent already spent.”

Todrick isn’t lying, to be honest.  For many, there was a spirit of “fuck the rent,” and not because of irresponsibility but rather, out of necessity.  I was fortunate during the height of COVID-19 not to suffer financially but many can’t say the same.  He goes on to say, “Cuz I’m staying, I’m staying / I’m staying here but honey / I’m not paying, not paying / You ain’t getting my money.” Yeah, “Fuck the rent!”

---

5. Saucy Santana, “Rent Due!”

“Rent Due” • Arena Music Productions, LLC • 2021

“Rent, rent due, rent, rent due / Bet you can’t do it on the dick though / Bet you can’t do it on the dick though!” Woo, Saucy Santana, that’s saucy AF! The openly gay rapper is a rarity, but he brings ample fun and sassiness to the brief, rent-driven gem, “Rent Due!” The chorus is infectious, while the verses are L-I-T !

“No bill money then I leave him on read / It’s the first of the month, boy, I said what I said.” Shoo, Saucy Santana needs to pay them bills – he ain’t playing around! “(It’s the first) Boy the rent due / It’s the first (So that’s yo cue).” Furthermore, Santana enjoys the finer things in life like a Chanel bag, Louis (Vuitton), and how about “a lil’ Gucci on my coochie!” Woo! The attitude and personality are through the roof – NO CAP!

---

Rent: 5ive Songs No. 8 (2022) [: Arena Music Productions, LLC, Asylum Worldwide, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Epic, frtyfve, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Todrick Hall]

---