Need It (feat. Masego)
Kaytranada
The Pursuit of Wealth and the Cost of Crime
Kaytranada's song "Need It (feat. Masego)" delves into the themes of desperation, ambition, and the lengths people will go to secure financial stability. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of individuals who have come from a place of financial struggle and are now willing to engage in criminal activities, such as robbing a bank, to ensure they never return to that state of poverty. The repeated lines, "We rob the bank, if they catch us, they throw us away," highlight the high stakes and the risks involved in their pursuit of wealth.
The chorus, with its repetitive questioning of "what you need?" followed by various answers like a coffin, a safe, a novel, and a lake, suggests a sense of urgency and a multitude of hiding places for their ill-gotten gains. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the different ways people try to secure and protect their wealth, whether through literal means like safes and coffins or more abstract ones like novels and lakes. The use of these diverse hiding places also reflects the paranoia and constant fear of losing what they have gained.
Kaytranada and Masego's collaboration brings a unique blend of electronic beats and smooth jazz influences, creating a soundscape that complements the tension and urgency of the lyrics. The song's narrative is a commentary on the societal pressures to achieve financial success and the moral compromises that often accompany such pursuits. It raises questions about the true cost of wealth and whether the ends justify the means, making listeners reflect on their own values and the lengths they would go to secure their future.