A soulful and searing outpouring of intimate self-expression, artist-to-watch Aiyana-Lee’s “Rich Kids” music video is a stunning personal statement full of passion, charged emotions, and fiery resolve.
for fans of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars
Stream: “Rich Kids” – Aiyana-Lee
It’s about being rich in your soul, not in your wallet, and being the best version of yourself, because ultimately that’s something money can’t buy.
“If all I have is my name, then I’m going out with a flame,” Aiyana-Lee sings in “Rich Kids,” her voice confident and cool in a moment of fiery resolve. “I won’t trade shame for fame. Diamonds couldn’t buy me, baby, I’ve been breathing fire.” A soulful and searing outpouring of intimate self-expression, “Rich Kids” made for a stunning personal statement upon its initial release last year, and now its dynamic new music video reaffirms Aiyana-Lee’s place as a definitive artist to watch in 2022 and beyond.
Got a dollar to my name and some hours to burn
Got some tears on my face from the lessons I’ve learned
And I’m broke in a city full of rich kids
There’s somecokeonthe counter, gladI missed it
Fell into the money trap again
Designer clothes and all these fake friends
So high they don’t know what’s happening
They hit the blow and laugh
But once I blow they won’t be laughing then
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the music video for “Rich Kids,” Aiyana-Lee’s third overall song release and one of the standout singles from this past February’s debut EP, Wednesday’s Child (Side A) [HitCo]. Choreographed by Énola Bédard and featuring a who’s-who of West Coast-based influencers and dancers, “Rich Kids” is a charismatic celebration of our potential and a resounding embrace of the “fire” within. It’s also the last in a series of four music videos for songs taken from her debut: Together, the visuals for “Gangster of Love,” “Make You Love Me,” “Table for Three,” and now “Rich Kids” showcase Aiyana-Lee’s multifaceted musical talents, her lyrics prowess, and her innate versatility as an artist.
“Rich Kids” is a particularly special song for Aiyana-Lee, offering intimate, vulnerable insights into where she came from and how that shaped the person she is today.
The niece of David Ruffin (The Temptations) and granddaughter of American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin, Aiyana-Lee moved with her mother to Los Angeles at the age of 15 to pursue her own musical dreams.
“My mom sacrificed everything,” she tells Atwood Magazine. “We struggled, had financial troubles, including the loss of our home. We lived eating canned foods together and we’d make a good time of walking down the street and people watching, laughing when we didn’t even have a dime to our name. That’s what the song ‘Rich Kids’ is all about: It’s my story, but I feel like we’re speaking to people who still go through the same thing.” She captures this spirited attitude in her chorus, channeling pride and passion into a cinematic, soul-stirring upheaval:
(Breathing Fire)
See I’m lit, but I’m broke right now
Eat the rich if they slow me down
But I can’t let ’em hold me down
(Breathing Fire)
It’s a bitch that I’m broke right now
But I’m rich in the soul right now
Said I’m rich in the soul right now
Ooh… this is freedom
I had a dream that you sold your soul for money reasons
Ooh… I don’t need ’em, I don’t see ’em
Cause I believe I’m fire-breathing
“The song really represents being a broke outsider, but having this fire within you that propels you forward…”, Aiyana-Lee adds. “It’s about being rich in your soul, not in your wallet, and being the best version of yourself, because ultimately that’s something money can’t buy.”
Pretty face telling ugly lies
Yeah the city’s fake, I ain’t got the time
Or a Fendi bag, I ain’t into that
They don’t know your name when you’re doing bad
And you’re broke in a city full of rich kids
There’s some coke on the counter, glad I missed it
(Oh no) Fell into the money trap again
(Oh no) Designer clothes and all these fake friends
(Oh no) So high they don’t know what’s happening
They hit the blow and laugh
But once I blow they won’t be laughing then
Working with Los Angeles based Québécois dancer and choreographer Énola Bédard, Aiyana-Lee crafted a visually dramatic video that evokes the energy and conviction of her song. Complete with a radiant dance number, the “Rich Kids” video is as enthralling as it is inspiring.
“I’ve been so incredibly excited for this music video!” the artist shares. “It’s an entirely different feel than the other ones and showcases the project in a new light! I had never danced before, and so I set this video as a challenge for myself. I ended up learning and putting together the choreography with Énola in a few hours total, and then performing it on set with the most incredible dancers!”
“Finding the dancers and seeing how unique everyone is in style and expression was so mesmerizing,” she adds. “We wanted to showcase everyone’s individuality, while simultaneously having it be a collaborative united piece. Everyone’s character shines through. The song and video have a very anthemic feel and I’m very proud of it.”
If all I have is my name
Then I’m going out with a flame
I won’t trade shame for fame
Diamonds couldn’t buy me
Baby I’ve been breathing fire
(Breathing Fire)
See I’m lit, but I’m broke right now
Eat the rich if they slow me down
But I can’t let ’em hold me down
(Breathing Fire)
It’s a bitch that I’m broke right now
But I’m rich in the soul right now
Said I’m rich in the soul right now
Ooh… This is freedom
I had a dream that you sold your soul for money reasons
Ooh… I don’t need ’em, I don’t see ’em
Cause I believe I’m fire-breathing
Unapologetic and unfiltered, stunningly soulful and utterly smoldering, “Rich Kids” remains an indisputable highlight off Wednesday’s Child (Side A), lighting a fire within us all as Aiyana-Lee encourages us to stay true to ourselves and not succumb to a world of fakes and riches. Her music video adds further fuel to an already fiercely-burning blaze, cementing her place as one of this year’s up-and-coming artists to watch. Watch her captivating music video exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned for more from this exciting artist in the months to come!
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Stream: “Rich Kids” – Aiyana-Lee
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