Babushka Boi

Album: released as a single (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A Babushka is a type of headscarf tied under the chin, which is traditionally worn by elderly women in rural Eastern Europe. In September 2018, Rocky was cut on the face and started using the headscarf to cover his scar. During his appearance two months later at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles, the Harlem-born MC wore a Gucci babushka. Rocky has continued to use the headscarf, but now primarily in the name of fashion. This song was inspired by the rapper's penchant for the babushka, which he namechecks in the third verse:

    Buck fifty, my babushka

    A "Buck fifty" is slang for $150, the price of Rocky's headscarf. The term can also be used to describe a scar on someone's face that is so large, it required at least 150 stitches.
  • Rocky debuted the song live during his early 2019 Injured Generation Tour.
  • The song's music video was directed by British artist and filmmaker Nadia Lee Cohen. Her previous videos include D.R.A.M.'s "Gilligan," (which features A$AP Rocky) and Kali Uchis' "After the Storm."

    The clip tells the satirical story of Rocky and his babushka-donning crew of bank robbers. We see Rocky's squad, which includes A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast, and Schoolboy Q, escape from police detention and successfully rob a local bank. The visual pays homage to the 1990 film Dick Tracy, which is based on the classic detective comic strip of the same name.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.