“90210” is a song by Travis Scott, featuring Kacy Hill, from his debut album Rodeo. The song’s title refers to the Beverly Hills zip code, symbolizing fame and the pursuit of dreams.
The lyrics explore themes of fame, struggle, and personal transformation, contrasting the allure of Hollywood with the realities of drug use, materialism, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of success.
The song is divided into two parts, with the first half depicting a dark and moody atmosphere and the second half shifting to a more introspective and soulful tone.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“90210” Lyrics Meaning
[Part I]
[Intro: Travis Scott, Chantel Jeffries & Kacy Hill]
(Dean, what’s poppin’? Hahahahaha. Yo, Travis)
Mhm, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Mama’s mailin’ out that blow, cravin’ 9021—
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
The intro sets the tone with a dreamy, atmospheric vibe. The mention of “Mama’s mailin’ out that blow” hints at drug culture, while “90210” references the affluent area code in Beverly Hills, symbolizing wealth and excess.
[Verse 1: Travis Scott & Chantel Jeffries]
She a porn star girl, ah, from the valley
(Honestly, God bless)
Who left her hometown world all for that alley
Ooh, created Lake Tahoe all from her panties
(I hope it was wet like my jumper, though)
Ooh, used to take the long way home
Long way home, all for that candy
(Hahahahaha,
mhm)
Travis introduces a “porn star girl” from the San Fernando Valley who has left her hometown for the allure of Hollywood. This verse critiques how people often abandon their roots in pursuit of fame and materialism. The imagery of “Lake Tahoe all from her panties” suggests her commodification of sexuality to achieve success.
[Chorus: Kacy Hill]
Baby’s hooked on feeling low-ow
Do, do, do
Do, do
Kacy Hill’s haunting vocals emphasize feelings of emptiness and addiction. The phrase “hooked on feeling low” reflects the emotional void that accompanies a lifestyle centered on superficial pleasures.
[Verse 2: Travis Scott]
Jacques turned La Flame, now he rollin’ on an Addy
Fifty on a chain, ‘nother fifty on a Caddy
Ooh, he might pop him a pill, pop him a seal
Pop anyone, pop anything
Pop anything to find that alley
Mhm, yeah, to find that alley (Mhm)
Travis reflects on his own transformation (“Jacques turned La Flame”), referencing his rise to fame. He describes indulgence in drugs (“pop him a pill, pop him a seal”) as a means of coping with the pressures and emptiness of success. The “alley” symbolizes both literal and metaphorical escape.
[Segue: Travis Scott, Kacy Hill & Chantel Jeffries]
In the 90210, 90210, lookin’ for that alley
In the 90210, 90210, lookin’ for that alley, ooh
It’s the superstar girl, superstar girl, roamin’ in that alley
(Baby’s hooked on feeling low-ow)
Ooh, in the 90210, 90210, somewhere in that alley
(Do, do, do)
(Do, do)
Ooh, ahh
(I gotta tell ya)
The repetition of “90210” reinforces the theme of searching for fulfillment in a world defined by materialism and hedonism. The “superstar girl” represents those lost in this pursuit.
[Part II]
[Intro: Travis Scott]
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Ooh-ooh
(All, all, all thang, thang)
(All, all, all thang, thang)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
(All, all, all thang, thang)
(All, all, all thang, thang)
Yeah
The second part shifts to a more introspective tone, marked by slower production. This section contrasts the shallow themes of Part I with deeper self-reflection.
[Verse: Travis Scott]
My granny called, she said, “Travvy, you work too hard
I’m worried you forget about me”
(All, all, all)
I’m fallin’ in and out of clouds
Don’t worry, I’ma get it, Granny, uh
What happened? Now my daddy happy
Mama called me up, that money comin’ and she love me
(All, all, all thang, thang)
I done made it now, I done found life’s meanin’ now
(All, all, all thang, thang)
All them days her heart’d break, her heart not in pieces now
Friends turnin’ into fraud niggas
Practicin’ half the passion, you niggas packaged different
(All, all, all thang, thang)
All you niggas, you niggas want the swag, you can’t have it
(All, all, all thang, thang)
I’ma sell it, your niggas salary, we ’bout to cap, bitch
Youngest nigga out of Houston at the Grammys
Smilin’ at ’em laughin’ at me
I passed the rock to Ye, he pump faked, then passed it back, bitch
(All, all, all thang, thang)
All of this off of rappin’, should’ve wrote this in Latin, yeah-yeah
(All, all, all thang, thang)
Mmm, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Cuzzo said we hit the store, yeah, we ’bout to drop a four
He passed the cigarette, I choke, woo
Told my auntie, “Put them ‘Ports down, them ‘Ports down”
Now you know you love your own now
Hit the stage, they got their hands up, don’t put your nose down
I ain’t knockin’, nigga, I knocked the door down, for sure now
Whole crew, I swear they countin’ on me
Gold chains, gold rings, I got an island on me
Houses on me, he got them ounces on him
Holy Father, come save these niggas, I’m stylin’ on ’em
Good Lord, I see my good fortune in all these horses
I’m drivin’ too fast to stop, so all these signs, I ignore them
Just this guy from north of the border, my chips is in order
My mom’s biggest supporter, so now a nigga support a nigga
Travis begins by recalling advice from his grandmother, who worries he might lose himself in his work. This verse highlights his struggle to balance success with staying grounded.
[Outro: Travis Scott]
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
The outro returns to the ethereal soundscape, leaving listeners with a sense of unresolved tension between fame’s allure and its emotional toll.
Deeper Meaning Behind “90210”
Travis Scott’s “90210” is a complex and introspective song that delves into the dark side of fame, success, and the pursuit of the Hollywood dream. The title itself refers to the iconic Beverly Hills zip code, symbolizing the glamour and allure of celebrity lifestyle.
The song is divided into two distinct parts, each exploring different aspects of the journey to fame. The first half introduces a character, likely a porn star, who has moved to Hollywood in search of success and glamour. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the desperate measures people take to achieve fame and fortune in the entertainment industry. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the seedy underbelly of Hollywood, where dreams often lead to exploitation and moral compromise.
As the song transitions to its second half, the focus shifts to Travis Scott’s personal experiences with fame. He reflects on his own transformation from Jacques Webster to “La Flame,” his stage persona. This part of the song touches on the pressures of success, the impact on family relationships, and the struggle to maintain authenticity in an industry filled with superficiality. Scott acknowledges the sacrifices he’s made for his career, including concerns from his grandmother about his work ethic and changes in his family dynamics due to his newfound success.
Throughout the song, Scott grapples with the duality of his life – the excitement and rewards of fame juxtaposed against feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. The repeated line “Baby’s hooked on feeling low” encapsulates this internal struggle, suggesting that despite achieving success, there’s a persistent sense of emptiness or addiction to negativity.
Ultimately, “90210” serves as a cautionary tale about the pursuit of fame and the American dream. It highlights the contrast between the glittering facade of success and the often grim reality behind it. The song’s introspective lyrics, combined with its moody production and beat switch, create a powerful narrative that resonates with listeners, making it one of Travis Scott’s most critically acclaimed tracks.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.