Top Level

## Aurora singles chronology

"**Top Level**" is the second single by American-Australian hip hop duo Round2. It was released on June 19, 2015 as the second and final single from Round2's debut extended play, *Are You Ready For* (2015). The song features vocals, songwriting, and production from Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Aurora.

## Background and composition

As Aurora's solo singles continued to perform well on the charts, Red Rose Records prioritised promotion of her *Platinum Heart* era, leaving Round2's project on the back burner. After the release of Aurora's album, sessions for Round2's upcoming project resumed sporadically throughout February–April 2015, during which time songs "Expectations" and "Are You Ready For" were written and recorded. Fearing they were still missing a hit radio single, one final session was scheduled in June 2015 amid sessions for Aurora's *Silhouettes* album. Believing Aurora's name would help the duo's chart performance, Aurora was credited as a featured artist on their new single.

"Top Level" is composed as a hip hop and pop rap song. Lyrically, it explores themes of narcissism and superiority, and addresses delusions of grandeur in a tongue in cheek manner. "['Top Level' is] basically 'Easy' turned up to eleven," Lucson elaborated during a promotional radio interview for the song. "It's an exaggeration, almost a caricature of sorts," Arcadia clarified, "we don't take ourselves too seriously, but unfortunately a lot of the critics reviewed us as if we do. With our new single, we want to let it be known that we're in on the joke, and we're going to be having the last laugh." Structurally, the song contains three rapped verses alternating between Lucson and Aurora, while Arcadia carries the rap-sung chorus. All contribute to the track's chanted hook, layering their vocals.

Co-composer Aurora features on the track, providing a rapped second verse in addition to songwriting and production. Aurora promoted the single on her web store and Instagram ahead of the release of Round2's debut extended play, *Are You Ready For* (2015).

## from the album *Silhouettes: Deluxe*

### Released

June 19, 2015 (Demo)
May 22, 2021 (Re-recorded)

### Studio

Red Rose Recording Studios
Aurora's home studio

### Writer(s)

Emerald Isabella Arcadio
Bennett Lucson
Aurora Renée Jaymesson

## Controversy

A demo recording of "Top Level" leaked onto the internet on June 19, 2015 alongside its official single release. In this demo recording, only Aurora's vocals are present, while the song's lyrics, flow, and general composition are almost identical to that of Round2's. Furthermore, the leaked demo recording's placeholder cover suggests the track was initially considered for rappers Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. The discovery of this demo recording quickly reignited ghostwriter allegations against Round2, following Aurora's retroactive credit on their single "Easy" earlier in 2015.

"I have not ghostwritten any material for Round2, absolutely not," Aurora denied the allegations shortly after the demo recording's leak began generating media interest, "Izzy and Benny are two of the most talented artists ever, they absolutely do not need me to ghostwrite for them. We wrote this track together in a camp, and I cut the initial demo vocal as part of my standard creative process. When we heard the track was rejected [by West and Minaj], Round2 decided to cut it themselves, and we polished the production and gave it more of a pop rap vibe together."

## Aurora version

Following her split from Red Rose Records in 2020, a version of "Top Level" was re-recorded by Aurora as a bonus track for her album *Silhouettes: Deluxe* (2021).

Aurora's version features a grittier hip hop production, reminiscent of the leaked demo recording initially pitched to Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. It appears as the thirteenth track on the re-recorded album as "Top Level" (Solo).

## Critical reception

"Top Level" was received more favourably than "Easy", with most critics praising Aurora's verse and its pop rap vibe.

It received a rating of 7.96 by Platvian music critics.

## Commercial performance

"Top Level" debuted and peaked at #7 on the Platvia HitList chart dated June 30, 2015.

## Lyrics

I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
*I'm top level*
*I'm top level, top level*
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
***I'm top level***
***I'm top level, top level***
**First Verse (Rapped): Lucky the MC**
Oppression's still a modern obsession
Well at least I'm getting that impression
Everybody's always tryna tell you that you're worthless
Nothing but another one of God's forsaken servants
Placing pressure to do well, enough to make you nervous
Just to pray you go to hell at every Sunday service
But those words don't mean a thing until you give them purpose
Only you can be the one to define what a word is
Turn worthless into priceless, turn servant into highness
And pressure's a requirement to form a crown of diamonds
Only you can be the one to decide where the line is
If you keep back behind it, or cross it like you're Midas
And I think it's pretty clear, y'all know the path I've chosen
I was born to breach the lines, they're all already broken
'Cause every bar I'm spitting is surely turning golden
So I'ma let you finish, I've always been outspoken
**Chorus (Rap-sung): Izzy Arcadia**
Haters reaching so high, 'cause I'm top level
I defeated all these fuckers I deserve a medal
Know I'm hot, 'cause I got 'em steaming like a kettle
Wait a minute now there's something that I've gotta settle
**Hook (Chanted): Izzy Arcadia, *Lucky the MC*, Aurora, & *All***
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
*I'm top level*
*I'm top level, top level*
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
***I'm top level***
***I'm top level, top level***
**Second Verse (Rapped): Aurora**
Back it up, shut up and sit down
You dare approach the queen without taking a bow?
That's right, I said the queen, you see the fucking crown?
Now listen carefully, get your knees on the ground
I'm not the queen of hearts, but it's off with your head
I'm not the queen of clubs, but I'm beating you dead
I'm not the queen of spades, but I'm digging your grave
I'm not the queen of diamonds, but money's my slave
Yeah I use it when I want it, lock it up when I don't
So much money in the bank, could keep an empire afloat
So much cheddar in the bank, it keeps attracting the rats
They'll pretend to be your friend then stab you right in the back
They'll do almost anything to get their hands on a rack
But there is a bitch with brains behind this sizeable rack
I'm not into heroin, but you're in line for a smack
I make killin' it look easy 'cause I've just got the knack
It's a blessing and a curse to be this fucking important
Every second I'll be working, ain't no time to be dormant
'Cause I'm meant to be the best and I belong at the top
So I'm gonna keep on climbing and I'm not gonna stop
But I wanna do it naked, you ain't riding my coattails
I need nothing else 'cause I rely on talent for sales
You be clutching at my hair just like I'm fucking Rapunzel
But I'm wearing me a wig, so I just laugh as you tumble
You ain't never gon' be welcome near the walls of this tower
You won't ever be deserving of my presence or power
I be living in the present but my power is wisdom
I be living as a queen but I be running this kingdom
Now I'm spitting on your grave because I lead by example
I'm done spitting on this track because I'm too hot to handle
Everybody knows I'm platinum, you're rusted metal
You be the bottom of the barrel while I'm top level
**Chorus (Rap-sung): Izzy Arcadia**
Haters reaching so high, 'cause I'm top level
I defeated all these fuckers I deserve a medal
Know I'm hot, 'cause I got 'em steaming like a kettle
Wait a minute now there's something that I've gotta settle
**Hook (Chanted): Izzy Arcadia, *Lucky the MC*, Aurora, & *All***
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
*I'm top level*
*I'm top level, top level*
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
***I'm top level***
***I'm top level, top level***
**Third Verse (Rapped): Lucky the MC**
Bitches they be thinking that they're fucking number one
If they sit upon this dick, they'll be fucking number one
I'm the number one rapper of this whole generation
And this isn't just a theory it's the manifestation
Ain't got nothing left to solve, it's a simple equation
Ain't got nowhere else to go, stay in heavy rotation
Ain't got nowhere else to go, stay in heavy rotation
Ain't got nowhere else to go, stay in heavy rotation
I'm the origin, mastermind, new shit, innovator
You others premature, put you in the incubator
I'm chillin' in the penthouse with a broken elevator
You're chillin' in the morgue, off to the incinerator
Now point your hands up to the sky, like a steeple
This one's a shout-out to all my loyal people
I got an ego; everybody knows, it's clear to see
But don't pretend you wouldn't if you were a deity
**Chorus (Rap-sung): Izzy Arcadia**
Haters reaching so high, 'cause I'm top level
I defeated all these fuckers I deserve a medal
Know I'm hot, 'cause I got 'em steaming like a kettle
Wait a minute now there's something that I've gotta settle
**Hook (Chanted): Izzy Arcadia, *Lucky the MC*, Aurora, & *All***
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
*I'm top level*
*I'm top level, top level*
I'm top level
I'm top level, top level
***I'm top level***
***I'm top level, top level***