Racks in the Middle

"**Racks in the Middle**" is a song by Nipsey Hussle featuring American rapper Roddy Ricch and record producer Hit-Boy. It was released on February 15, 2019, through All Money In and Atlantic Records. It is the last single Hussle released during his lifetime, where he was fatally shot on March 31, 2019.

At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, the song received nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, winning the latter category. The award marked Hussle's first Grammy win, with his family and his partner Lauren London accepting the award on his behalf. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 8, 2019.

## Background

On Genius, Hussle explained how the song came about, "The original concept [...] was just me walking in the studio session with Hit-Boy. [...] Sometime records will hit you like that, soon as you hear it you don't even want think too long, you don't want to talk, you just like, 'Let's start working.' And that was one of them instances with this one."

## Music video

The official music video was released to Hussle's YouTube channel on February 22, 2019, a week after the song's release. It features Hussle and Ricch rapping in front of women, various locations and luxury cars.

## Personnel

* Chauncey "Hit-Boy" Hollis Jr. – featured artist, writer, producer
* Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
* David Kim – mixing
* Dustin James Corbett – writer, co-producer
* Ermias "Nipsey Hussle" Asghedom – vocals, writer
* Greg Allen Davis – writer
* Joya Nemley – A&R admintsator
* Rodrick "Roddy Ricch" Moore Jr. – featured artist, writer
* Steven Carless – A&R direction

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Roddy Ricch]

(*Hit-Boy*)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(*TrapAdix*)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, I was ridin' 'round in the V-12 with the racks in the middle

I was ridin' 'round in the V-12 with the racks in the middle

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Ay

[Chorus: Roddy Ricch]

I was riding 'round in the V-12 with the racks in the middle

Had to pray to almighty God they let my dog out the kennel

When you get it straight up out the mud, you can't imagine this shit

I been pullin' up in the drop tops with the baddest bitches

Young n\*\*\*a been focused on my check (Mhmmhm)

Got a new coupe wrapped around my neck (Mhmmhm)

Tryna put the water on my Patek (Mhmmhm)

I got killers to the left of me (Mhmmhm)

[Verse 1: Nipsey Hussle]

We was lurking on 'em, ain't show no mercy on 'em

We was goin' back to back, we put a curfew on 'em

It was dark clouds on us, but that was perfect for us

We know you always crash and burn, but it was working for us

Limo tint the V-12, double check the details

Gotta cross my T's and dot my I's or I can't sleep well

Millions off of retail

Once again, I prevail

Knew that shit was over from the day I dropped my presale

Hold up, let the beat build

See me in the streets still

I been fightin' battles up a steep hill

They gave my road dog twelve, it was a sweet deal

And I been ridin' solo tryna rebuild

Look

[Chorus: Roddy Ricch]

I was riding 'round in the V-12 with the racks in the middle

Had to pray to almighty God they let my dog out the kennel

When you get it straight up out the mud, you can't imagine this shit

I been pullin' up in the drop tops with the baddest bitches

Young n\*\*\*a been focused on my check (Mhmmhm)

Got a new coupe wrapped around my neck (Mhmmhm)

Tryna put the water on my Patek (Mhmmhm)

I got killers to the left of me (Mhmmhm)

[Verse 2: Nipsey Hussle]

Look, under no condition would you ever catch me slippin'

Motorcaded shooters plus the Maybach chauffeur driven

If they catch me wit' it, gon' send me off to prison

Judge ain't sympathizin', court don't show forgiveness

Engine in the Lambo drownin' out the music

Silk Dior with the flowers, five gold Cubans

Champagne while I shop, hope I splurge foolish

Closin' Escrow twice this month, both commercial units

Damn, I wish my n\*\*\*a Fatts was here

How you die thirty somethin' after banging all them years?

Grammy-nominated, in the sauna sheddin' tears

All this money, power, fame and I can't make you reappear

But I don't wipe 'em though

We just embrace the only life we know

If it was me, I would tell you, "N\*\*\*a, live your life and grow"

I'd tell you, "Finish what we started, reach them heights, you know?

And gas the V-12 'til the pipe in smoke"

[Chorus: Roddy Ricch]

I was ridin' 'round in the V-12 with the racks in the middle

Had to pray to almighty God they let my dog out the kennel

When you get it straight up out the mud, you can't imagine this shit

I been pullin' up in the drop tops with the baddest bitches

Young n\*\*\*a been focused on my check (Mhmmhm)

Got a new coupe wrapped around my neck (Mhmmhm)

Tryna put the water on my Patek (Mhmmhm)

I got killers to the left of me (Mhmmhm)

[Verse 3: Nipsey Hussle]

Another million dollar bail, that's just some regular shit

See my granny on a jet, some shit I'll never forget

Next day we flew to Vegas, with my Puma connects

We break bread, we ain't new to success

Bleed music, invest, enterprise, take lucrative steps

Cold game, but I knew it was Chess

As a youth in the set

Learn the game, you a student at best

But it's a couple things you can expect

Look, just like money know money, n\*\*\*a, shooters respect

Other shooters we was both, don't want my crew on your neck

I'm on the freeway in a drop, it got me losing my breath

I do the dash with the blues on the deck

[Outro: Roddy Ricch]

Mhmmhm

Mhmmhm

Mhmmhm

Mhmmhm

Mhmmhm

## References

1. ↑ Saponara, Michael (February 22, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle & Roddy Ricch Ride Around in Luxury for New 'Racks in the Middle' Video: Watch". *Billboard*.