Playlist: Women & Wealth

My Spotify playlist, Pay Me In Equity, is comprised of songs by female artists about making, spending, and investing their own money.

One day back in summer 2019, I decided to look up songs and playlists about women making it rain and securing their bags without the help of (or focus on) a man. Instead, this is what I found when I searched for “songs about women and money”:

Some of these songs made it onto my playlist (Bills, Bills, Bills; Bitch Better Have My Money, She Works Hard for the Money, 7 rings, Rich Girl), while others are not even by women (Gold Digger).

After doing more searches (on Google and Spotify), I couldn’t find a great list of songs about women making money. In fact, when I searched “songs about women making money”, Google redirected me to “songs about women empowerment”; whereas, when I searched “songs about men making money”, Google pulls up a plethora of articles featuring “the best songs about money” (please note the gender disparity here). Ah yes, even in Google searches about money in music, the gender pay gap seems to be holding steady.

From “songs about women making money” to “women empowerment songs” vs from “songs about men making money” to “the best songs about money”. Ah yes, even in Google searches about money in music, the gender pay gap seems to be holding steady.

Now, let’s see if this playlist can start to correct these Google search results.

Below, I will highlight some of the 112 songs (and counting!) on my Pay Me In Equity playlist on Spotify.

“APESHIT” by The Carters

Gimme my check, put some respek on my check
Or pay me in equity (Pay me in equity)
Watch me reverse out the debt

Beyoncé, our Queen Bey, gave us one of my favorite lyrics and the name of this playlist, “pay my in equity”. “Pay me in equity” means that you are receiving stocks in a company because you’re now a shareholder (or stockholder), so when the company profits, you profit (your shares are now worth more). You can make money from dividends (cash distributions of company profits) and capital appreciation (rise in an investment’s market price, such as your shares being worth more today than when you purchased/received them in the past).

“Bitch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna

Bitch better have my money
Pay me what you owe me

When I was first putting this playlist together, I asked friends to suggest songs, and this was by and large the #1 recommended song. Not only is it synonymous with paying a woman the money you owe her, but it was reportedly inspired by Rihanna’s real life (her accountant allegedly cheated her out of millions of dollars).

“Money” by Cardi B

But nothing in this world that I like more than checks (money)
All I really wanna see is the (money)
I don’t really need the D, I need the (money)
All a bad bitch need is the (money)

Cardi B explains that money is all she needs in this world.

“Money (That’s What I Want)” by The Supremes

But you’re lovin’ don’t pay my bills
Now give me money
That’s what I want

More than 50 years before Cardi B rapped about only needing “Money”, The Supremes were singing about the only thing they want (also “Money”).

“Work It” by Missy Elliot

Girls, girls, get the cash
If it’s nine to five or shakin’ you ass
Ain’t no shame ladies, do your thing
Just make sure you ahead of the game

Missy Elliott is reminding the girls that while you’re making your money, there’s no shame in your occupation, whether it’s a traditional 9–5 or sex work.

“9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living
Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving
They just use your mind, and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

Working 5 to 9, making something of your own now
And it feels so fine to build a business from your know-how
Gonna move ahead, and there’s nothing that you can’t do
When you listen to that little voice inside you

We can thank Dolly for our quintessential office job anthem and her message to work 5–9 to build something of your own, so you can eventually be your own boss.

“She Works Hard For The Money” by Donna Summer

She works hard for the money
It’s a sacrifice working day to day
For little money, just tips for pay
But it’s worth it all

Donna Summer gives us another anthem for blue collar workers and illustrates how under-appreciated they are in our country. She also points out the unfair pay for employees who receive tips, “for little money, just tips for pay”.

“Like a Girl” by Lizzo

Bad bitch, diamonds in my collarbone (yee, yee)
Buy my whip by myself
Pay my rent by myself

Lizzo is asserting (and reminding us all) that she is paying for her jewels, cars, and rent by herself as many girls do.

“Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani, featuring Eve

No man could test me, impress me, my cash flow would never ever end

While Gwen Stefani and Eve are singing and rapping about hypothetical riches, Stefani sings about her cash flow never ending, which is an excellent lyric about the importance of needing a strong cash flow for any business to survive and thrive.

If you like this track, give “Roaring 20s” by Flo Milli a listen. It also references “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof.

“M.I.L.F. $” by Fergie

’Cause I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T
Do you know what that means?
Can’t see me B-R-O-K-E
I’m P-A-I-D
You heard about me, I’m saying

While this song is sort of all over the place with meanings, Fergie is asserting her independence and wealth.

“Independent Women, Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child

Question, tell me how you feel about this
Try to control me, boy, you get dismissed
Pay my own fun, oh, and I pay my own bills
Always fifty fifty in relationships

Destiny’s Child is explaining the importance of being equal partners in a relationship, especially where finances are concerned. They won’t allow a boy to control them through any means, including financial abuse (here’s more information about understanding financial abuse in relationships from the National Domestic Violence Hotline).

“7 rings” by Ariana Grande

If it ain’t money, then wrong number
Black card is my business card

The “black card” that Ariana Grande is singing about is likely the American Express Black Card, a credit card that’s offered to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) through an invitation. It’s important to understand how credit cards work prior to becoming a cardholder.

“Work Bitch” by Britney Spears

You better work, bitch, you better work, bitch
Work it hard, like it’s your profession

This song is all about working for what you want.

“Sisters Are Doin’ For Themselves” by Eurythmics, featuring Aretha Franklin

But in these times of change
You know that it’s no longer true
So we’re comin’ out of the kitchen
’Cause there’s somethin’ we forgot to say to you, we say

Sisters are doin’ it for themselves
Standin’ on their own two feet

This 80s track was a feminist anthem for the era and celebrated women’s liberation from traditional roles, like the homemaker, their rise to high-profile professions outside the home, like doctors, lawyers, and politicians.

“Bossy” by Kelis, featuring Too $hort

You don’t have to love me
You don’t even have to like me
But you will respect me
You know why? ’Cause I’m a boss

This song is about respecting the boss and not needing love or adoration or to be liked to be in charge.

“Woman Like Me” by Little Mix, featuring Nicki Minaj

Uh, a million I’m getting my billi’ on
Greatest of all time, ’cause I’m a chameleon
I switch it up for every era, I’m really bomb
Apple cut the cheque, I want all this money

Nicki Minaj’s lyrics are about making money and staying relevant in the industry through reinventing herself for every era of her career.

“BO$$” by Fifth Harmony

Working for the money ’cause that’s what my momma taught me
So yo ass better show me some re-spect
Michelle Obama, purse so heavy gettin’ Oprah dollars

Fifth Harmony uses examples of powerful and wealthy Black women, former First Lady Michelle Obama and first Black billionaire Oprah Winfrey, in “BO$$”.

“Who’s Number One?” by Lil’ Kim

Life’s a wheel of fortune and y’all can’t buy a vowel
Who me? That’s none of your concern
Like ashes in the urn, more money to burn

Game shows are all about chance, thrill, and winning money (and a bit about fame). When Lil’ Kim released this song, she was at the top of the rap game and is a legend in the music industry.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper

When the workin’ day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun

Fun fact: My final research project and paper for my political science degree was “Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: Analyzing the Relationship Between Presidential Gender and Fundraising”.

“ICY GRL” by Saweetie

Charging by the minute ’cause my time is very pricey
Yeah, I be where the bosses be
Put it in my savings and invest in the right companies

Saweetie is sharing a couple of good lessons here in “ICY GRL”. First, know your worth and charge accordingly for your services. Whether you’re an employee and need to negotiate (or renegotiate) your salary or you’re a freelancer who is charging for your services and setting an hourly or project rate, don’t undervalue your skills, expertise, and time. Second, when you earn money and want to grow your wealth, make sure that you have funds in your savings account (like a rainy day fund) and that you’re also growing your wealth by investing in publicly traded companies (learn about stocks before investing).

“G.O.A.T.” by Princess Nokia

I’m a boss bitch runnin’ big shit
Got a company, need a couple mil’

As an artist and a brand, Princess Nokia is the “boss bitch” running her own company (aka her music, her performances, and herself in general), which is important for any artist and creative to remember that they’re not only a person but also a company (not to be confused with the Citizens United v. FEC ruling that said that corporations are people).

“successful” by Ariana Grande

Yeah, it feels so good to be so young
And have this fun and be successful

Ariana reminds us that we can be young and successful and still have fun and enjoy life.

“Muny” by Nicki Minaj

Oh no we don’t play with silly girls
All I know is the material girls

Okay, Versace Pythons, Louis aviators, Balenciagas and they gotta be the gladiators
Chanel lambskin, vintage Vanson, I’m on the bike doin’ wheelies in a mansion
A lot of bad bitches on the pole dancin’, Gucci bag just to put the coke cans in
(Hey, yo, Anna, h-h-hey yo Anna Wintour, I’ma need that cover baby girl, it’s Pink Friday, ya dig)

Nicki Minaj illustrates her wealth in “Muny” by rapping about her jet setting lifestyle and all of the designer brands she owns (you can hear more about Nicki’s favorite brands in “Shopaholic”). “All I know is the material girls” is a nod to Madonna’s “Material Girl” (a number of songs on this playlist mention “material girls” and women flaunting their wealth by telling us what they own and can afford).

“Fabulous” by Sharpay Evans, Ryan

Fabulous pool, (yo) fabulous splash,
Fabulous parties even fabulous trash,
Fabulous fashion, (no) fabulous bling,
She’s got to have fabulous everything.

“Got Her Own” by Ariana Grande, featuring Victoria Monét

Ladies in the buildin’, probably makin’ more than you
He might got money, but I bet she got her own

Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét are singing about women not only making their own money but also likely out-earning a male partner. These lyrics highlight the need to talk about finances in a relationship and that, especially in a heteronormative relationship, there is stigma around a woman making more money than her male partner (read more about love and money).

“Diamonds” by Megan Thee Stallion, featuring Normani

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
I don’t need you, I got flooded out baguettes
I don’t need you, all my diamonds drippin’ wet (Cartier)

Megan Thee Stallion and Normani are giving us the 21st century version of Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”, and it’s a star-studded song dripping with gems (over gents).

“I Am” by Yung Baby Tate, featuring Flo Milli

I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am rich, I am that bitch (yeah)
I am gonna go get that bag and I am not gonna take your shit (uh)
I am protected, well respected, I’m a queen, I’m a dream (yeah)

In this song, Yung Baby Tate and Flo Milli rap about various aspects of wealth, including being rich in health, protection, and respect.

“Best Friend” by Saweetie, featuring Doja Cat

Beep-beep, is that my bestie in a Tessie?

Saweetie and Doja Cat are rapping about best friends celebrating each other and their wins and wealth. It’s important to talk about money in all relationships, including friendships, not just in romantic relationships.

You can listen to my whole playlist, Pay Me In Equity, on Spotify. If you have song suggestions, drop them in the comments.