Les ATRLers - Season 02 ∙ Episode 2: Survivor ~ Entries
The judges will receive a pm from me with further instructions.
The contestants should discuss the entries in this thread.
FOR THE JUDGES DEADLINE: Wednesday, November 26th 4pm EST
Episode 2: Entries - Part 1
e437
Quote:
Originally posted by e437
I personally think this song is the perfect example for the theme "Dishwasher to Millionaire". Even though there are rumours that Drake exaggerated when he wrote this and in fact it all didn't happen to him, I think that it really shows his life with his flaws and he is definitely proud to be where he is. The song just talks about how he has achieved his success, how much he has worked for it and, happily, he didn't give up. Also, in the beginning of the video you can see him being a shop assistant, while at the end, he's rich, happy and he's doing what he likes to do.
For this challenge, I chose Orange Country Girl, mainly because it hits the bullseye for this week's theme, and I also wanted to seperate myself from the horde of hip-hop / rap artists that are probably incoming (keyword: probably...I'm not a fortune teller so I'm just guessing here, kiii). The song addresses a lot of things, but what makes the song perfect for this challenge is the contrast between the first and the second verse. In the first verse, she sings about her early life; about the simple girl working in an Anaheim mall selling make-up, wondering about her future and what she wanted to do in life. While in the second verse, however, she then sings about her life as a millionaire; flying from city to city to write hit songs with top-notch producers in order to get herself another Grammy. The huge contrast between the first and the second verse perfectly captures the theme for this week (Dishwasher to Millionaire), but I also wanted to take a more "light-hearted" route, if that makes any sense. While the subject of the song is still heartfelt and genuine, it's not tear-jerking or overly dramatic like other "success story" songs, which is what sets it apart. Her story is light-hearted and merry: although she transformed herself from a dishwasher to a famous millionaire, she's still the same ol' Orange County Girl who had a passion for music, the same girl that she was years ago.
Allstar
Quote:
Originally posted by Allstar
LOSE YOURSELF - EMINEM
(Click the cover)
If you only had one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?
I chose 'Lose Yourself' - the song which accompanies the great movie '8 Mile' - because I think it is the quintessence of this week's theme. Unlike other songs it doesn't focus on the rich lifestyle or the fame. It doesn't glamourize the performer's way up to the top. Instead it focuses on that very single moment before you make it. When you realize you have to give your all and fight for your dream because it is one moment not everyone gets the opportunity to have and change your life forever. And that's the truth about success - only those of us who grasp that and live in these moments will go on to make something out of themselves. This song understands it's not enough wanting to become something, you have to know when and where the place is to showcase your passion and fight for it. When to "lose yourself [...] in the moment, [...] own it and let it go" because "this opportunity only comes once in a lifetime".
'Lose Yourself' represents our theme on multiple layers. It accompanies a movie with a protagonist fighting his way out of poverty into fame. It is a song performed by a man who, despite a troubled childhood, has done exactly that - keeping his always passionate fight up to become one of the most famous rappers musicians of our time. And it lyrically represents our theme in a way most songs don't. It's about what you have to do with all of your heart and understand with all of your mind if you want to truly make it from a dishwasher to a millionaire.
Capital B
Quote:
Originally posted by Capital B
"JUST AS A REMINDER TO MYSELF,
I WEAR EVERY SINGLE CHAIN,
EVEN WHEN I'M IN THE HOUSE"
Drake's "Started From The Bottom" is a bang-on choice for this round, given the assigned theme (Dishwasher to Millionaire). In this track, Drake raps about his own personal experience - an upward trajectory from a normal, everyday life towards fame, success, and riches. He doesn't shy away from the narrative surrounding where he started - living with his mom, working the night shift at a dead-end minimum wage job. These themes are also explored in the video. However, the perspective of the track isn't just this - it's looking back on these things as a gauge for how far he has now come. Due to the hustle he's put into getting where he is now, Drake doesn't take the fame and money for granted, but rather he employs a reflective and appreciative perspective when rapping about his own journey. Given the fact that the themes of this song align perfectly with the "where I've been" and "where I am now" angle of the "Dishwasher to Millionaire" theme, I feel that this track is an exemplarily choice.
Superiore
Quote:
Originally posted by Superiore
Episode 2: Survivor | Superiore (Tribe Booboos)
Sugarland - Baby Girl
(from "Twice the Speed of Life" - 2003)
Living in Italy, where country music is hardly known and even more hardly represented, I didn't know about Sugarland until 2011, when Jennifer Nettles collaborated with Lady Gaga for a performance of Yoü and I. I loved the strong country shades in Jennifer's vocals so I went on a little trip through their singles discography and, amongst it, a song is really fitting to the theme "Dishwasher to Millionaire". It's the debut single of the band, Baby Girl. The track wasn't clearly autobiographical at the time of the release, as they still had to make it big, but I still think it depicts the theme well. There's an evolution throughout the song, written as a letter. In the first part, "Baby Girl" is going through a little bars tour with her band, away from home, and ask her parents money to keep pursuing her dream of making it big because, in the moment, she was broke. In the second half of the song, our "Baby Girl" writes to her parents again but this time she finally achieved her dreams. Now she's filty rich, staying at Ritz, having fancy cars and diamond rings, and she's the one sending money to her parents now. All the fame didn't change her, she made it but she knows she owes it all to mom and dad's sacrifices.
My entry this week is a throwback to 2010 -- Kevin Rudolf's "I Made It". A collaboration with a few other artists, including ATRL favorite Jay Sean, this catchy track tells the story of the artists' rise to fame and fortune from humble beginnings -- true rags to riches, or dishwasher to millionaire, stories. The lyrics absolutely speak for themselves with this song:
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1. Known from the city where no one believed in me... Yeah, but now I'm on top. Now the money's fallin' from the sky.
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2. I used to dream about, the life I'm living now
I know that there's no doubt... I made it, I made it!
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3. Funny how things can change... They didn't believe in me then...
Now look who cashed in... They didn't wanna know me back then...
But ever since I done gone platinum... Everything turned around
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4. Came from the gutter...
Boy we gettin' money like we just found oil
In this song, the "dishwasher to millionaire" storyline is repeatedly emphasized. In addition, the track has an uplifting, victorious tone and melody. The listener feels an incredible power and ability to TRIUMPH! It is amazing to hear stories of overcoming obstacles like this, and ultimately, it is inspiring to know that anyone CAN turn their life around.
You do not have to remain at the bottom. You can smash those dishes, and turn them into gold.
"Back then they didn't want me, now I'm hot hoes all on me." Easily one of the most memorable lyrics to this song. When I saw the challenge. I immediately thought of a couple of songs, but This song. This song right here is the literal epitome of Starting From The Bottom.
In the song, Mike Jones states & implied that before he got his fortune, no one saw him as desirable, and now that he's received his fame, he is now highly requested. He also states the materialistic things he has now that he didn't have before. This all ties in perfectly to the theme of this week's challenge because one would assume that from Dishwasher to Millionaire would be another phrase for "from rags to riches".
When hearing the subject, "Dishwasher to Millionaire," I immediately associated it with "Rags to Riches,"
and that's exactly what N.*.G.G.A.S. did for Nicki Minaj. The song took her from rapping on a staircase,
to rapping in front of millions of people, making millions of dollars. Lil Wayne noticed Nicki Minaj through the
famous underground hip-hop DVD, "The Come Up." It was a place for upcoming rappers to showcase their talents
in hopes to get noticed by other people and become the next big thing. Wayne noticed Nicki after one of his
guest segments on the DVD, and this was one of the songs he heard. After hearing what Nicki was capable of,
he immediately wanted to sign Nicki to his label, Young Money.
From then on, Nicki has been able to accomplish things only some could dream about.
In addition to the song, I have included the actual Come Up DVD section where Nicki showcased this song.
Prismatic
Quote:
Originally posted by Prismatic
EPISODE 02: SURVIVOR DISHWASHER TO MILLIONAIRE
KEVIN RUDOLF - I MADE IT (CASH MONEY HEROES)
(FEAT. BIRDMAN, JAY SEAN, LIL WAYNE)
I Made It (Cash Money Heroes) is a song by Kevin Rudolf featuring Birdman, Jay Sean and Lil Wayne. The song is generally about overcoming obstacles in life to achieve one's dreams. Additionally, as the title in parentheses suggests, the song also resonates with Cash Money Records itself as it narrates the struggles the founding members went through for Cash Money Records to become the top hip-hop record label it is today. I Made It can also be perceived as a song to celebrate Cash Money Records' viability and success over decades.
According to Rudolf himself, the reason he wrote the song was to "let [his] fans know [he] started from nothing and built [his] dreams from scratch". Therefore, I feel that the song's meaning is aligned with the theme for this round, "Dishwasher to Millionaire" because Kevin wants the song to narrate his life story on how he worked his ass off from a nobody to become a star he is today.
In the chorus, Rudolf sings "I look up to the sky and now the world is mine" and repeatedly chants "I made it", expressing his utmost contentment that he has indeed made it big in life and he is proud of his achievements. Onto the rap verses, lyrics like "High life, flippin' and get some more", "Paradise, the luxury marble floor", "Boy we gettin' money like we just found oil" and "Staring at you from the top of the game man" are spewed out by Birdman and Lil Wayne in succession, further emphasizing the affluent lifestyles the artists are leading after all the struggles they have been through.
I strongly believe that I Made It represents the theme "Dishwasher to Millionaire" very well. I know my explanation may be lacking but I'm never good in explanations anyway. I really hope that the song is able to speak for itself.
EuphorianSea
Quote:
Episode 2: Survivor
SOUTH-SIDE BRONX!
'No matter where I go, I know where I came from...'
Jennifer Lopez's 'Jenny On The Block' is the song that I feel best suits this round because it's saying that Jen doesn't want to disregard her roots by refusing to treat them as being beneath her and instead actually feels proud to have a place she can call home.
'Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got' followed by 'I'm still, I'm still Jenny from the block' in particular showcases the contrast between the lifestyle JLo leads now and the lifestyle she was raised in which ultimately got her to this point.
It's almost an ode (if you will) to a significant chapter of Jennifer's life that was basically all that she knew before being thrust into the spotlight.
If I were to define this song with one lyric, it would be: 'Used to have a little, now I have a lot...' because it's the textbook definition of our theme for this round - 'Dishwasher to Millionaire' and sums up the entirety of the song itself.
darkhorse
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“Start with big dreams, and make life worth living.”
You gotta give it to Iggy; she started out as a high school drop-out, working at dead-end jobs (she probably really was a dishwasher) to make it to the top. However, she had to work hard (just watch the video) to get to where she is now. ‘Work’ has Iggy reminiscing about her past, and the effort she put in to become who she is now.
IGGY’S PAST AS A DISHWASHER:
Like I said, there’s no doubt in my mind really was a dishwasher at some point in her life. Hell, she scrubbed floors, which to be honest, makes for an even crappier job than dishwasher. Iggy makes it seem like her background was tough, and she succeeds. Scrubbing floors ain’t exactly glamorous. They didn’t even wear Louboutins in Australia apparently. Poor Iggy.
IGGY’S STRUGGLE TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE:
But then there’s Iggy becoming real fancy, and well… a millionaire. So what is her secret? It ain’t her booty (although some say Iggy actually invented twerking, not good-girl-gone-bad Miley Cyrus, which would make sense, considering everything), and giving blowjobs for Louboutins, well... that may not have exactly been her thang either, so I hear y’all ask: what was it? Let me tell you. The secret to becoming a millionaire is hard work. This gal worked hard to make it past where she is from, she isn’t just making a living, hell, she is living a life worth living (I mean, LI-VING). I mean, she just won her first award ever last night (Sunday, Nov 23).
To sum it all up, ‘Work’ exemplifies Iggy’s struggles, and therefore is the perfect song to fit this week’s theme. She was a dishwasher, now she’s a fancy millionaire, and she all did it herself.
First thing's first, there are some personal reasons why I chose this track.
This song reminds me of such a beautiful time in my life. When I was like 14, before I was a Rihanna stan I was/still am a Linkin Park fan. This song reminds me of the times when I grew up with all my friends, and we had this group of like 10 people. We were so united and had great moments together, and I like to think this song was like a hymn for our group. We loved this song and somehow I think it gave us strength, even if we were like 14-15-16, and courage to go chase our dreams (Whatever our dreams were back then). ”Together we made it” - this lyric is essential.
Fitting the theme: Dishwasher to a Millionaire
So, I gave my personal reasons for why I chose this song, and now why does it fit the theme? Well I don't think there's much to explain here. From the anthemic instrumental, to the title and to the lyrics everything about this song is screaming: Dishwasher to a millionaire.
The Title: not too much to say here. It speaks for itself. The Instrumental: In my opinion, the beginning of the song, represented by the, somehow alert, piano, combined with Busta's flow, the claps and everything progressing into the explosive chorus sung by Chester, the lead singer of Linkin Park, creates this anthemic feel that makes you wanna go out there and just do what you gotta do to make it. The Lyrics: I will give three examples of lyrics from the song to finish my demonstration.
”Together we made it
We made it even though we had our backs up against the wall”
”It finally came time to do it or let it die
So we put the chips on the table and told 'em to let it ride”
”Now on my wake up I smile, to see how far I've come”
And finally, the inspiration behind the song, quote by Busta Rhymes:
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Cause nobody can really dictate what the outcome of your destiny, what your life is going to end up becoming, unless you let it happen that way.
Case dismissed!
Serendipity
Quote:
Originally posted by Serendipity
Serendipity: Dishwasher to Millionaire
The Fear - Lily Allen
I wanted to throw an extreme curveball and stand out in this challenge. The theme ‘dishwasher to millionaire’ is open in a sense as it doesn’t necessarily mean a song that depicts ones movement up to being wealthy. I decided to go for a song that actually has a critical view on the concept of being poor and normal to becoming rich and famous.
Sonically, the song is calm and mellow on the verses and contrasts with the explosive, mature electropop chorus. This juxtapositioning is effective due to the fact the lyrics in the verses can be focused on as a focal point and the chorus mimics the nature of being rich and a millionaire, but in her view; a meaningless and societal impulse.
Lyrically, the song is even more interesting. In criticising how people become millionaires from being nothing, she highlights many relevant issues. Lily checklists many of the wealthy and famous attributes (some satirically such as being in ‘The Sun’ and in ‘The Mirror’) as well as the more common urges of wanting money, diamonds and fast cars. Nevertheless, what makes it so interesting, in my opinion, is her critical view. Allen talks about ‘taking clothes off to be famous’. She criticizes how many people go from nothing to something by being ‘shameless’, and yet a norm, to become ‘famous’ (look at Kim Kardashian or Nick Jonas recently to see the relevance of her critique). Finally, a really interesting point she sings is the idea that the real “dishwashers” of society aren’t really championed; the normal people - the mothers.
So I hope in my attempt to ‘reverse Warholian’ this challenge, I've actually fitted the song into the brief but showed a lot more depth and insight than a standard, I started from the bottom and now I’m here model.
FunkyDinevo
Quote:
Originally posted by FunkyDinevo
Dishwasher to Millionaire
The Game Ft. 50 Cent – Hate It or Love It
Dishwasher
In the first verse 50 Cent mentions being exposed to harsher realties with being in a low-income area. He even hints at his mother being a part-time prostitute with the opening line.
To live good he resorted to dealing drugs.
“I wanna live good, so **** I sell dope.”
He was living worse than the dishwasher life and wanted out of the hood at all costs.
“Different day, same ****, ain't nothing good in the hood
I'd run away from this bitch and never come back if I could”
When it comes to The Game, he’s from Compton where there is a heavy gang presence.
“I'm from Compton, wear the wrong colors, be cautious
One phone call'll have your body dumped in Marcy”
“I stay strapped like car seats, been banging
Since my lil' ***** Rob got killed for his Barkleys”
Hell, the bitch didn’t even have 50 cents when his grandmother died.
Millionaire
“My moms happy, she ain't gotta pay the rent
And she got a red bow on that brand new Benz
Waiting on Sha Money to land, sitting in the Range”
Now you see them rolling with grills on their low riders/ Range Rovers and designer watches.
“Now I'm going back to Cali with my Jacob on
See how time fly?”
