Words by Skylar Sanders
Co-signed by God, unapologetically happy-go-lucky, and almost satirically reflective, Addison Rae’s “Fame is a Gun” is a love letter to fame and commercial success (and of course, her fans). In her new single, Rae can’t help but rub it in, explaining that her rise to fame has mended her broken heart and secured her spot in history, which we all have a “front row seat” for.
Rae proclaims, “I’m gonna make it, Gonna go down in history,” following up with a request for her audience: “Don’t ask too many questions, God gave me the permission.”
This is a bold claim from an artist whose popularity has only recently skyrocketed, fueled by TikTok virality and a starring role in Netflix’s “He’s All That,” released in 2021. Nevertheless, Rae has some things to say – and she’s not shy about it. Invoking her status as the internet’s sweetheart, she’s shifted to embracing a cocky, pop princess persona at a time that just feels right given her current career trajectory.
From play-it-on-repeat-worthy hits like “Aquamarine” and “Headphones On,” she’s stolen the hearts of fans and two Billboard Hot 100 slots on her way to the top. And while “Fame is a Gun” comes across as an innocent song about relishing in her achievements, I think there’s a lot more to be said about this track.
With a line like “Fame is a gun, and I point it blind / Crash and burn, girl / Baby, swallow it dry” conveniently cutting into a narrative glorifying Rae’s rise to fame, I can’t help but wonder if this song is meant to serve as a kind of pop-stardom prophecy, or a satirical commentary on artists’ quick rise to fame and subsequent (and often quicker) fall from it. She sings, “Nothing makes me feel as good as being loved by you,” an address to those who adore her, drawing a parallel between love and fame – a dangerous and often destructive comparison.
The cover art features a photograph of Rae as a young girl, complete with blacked-out sunglasses too wide for her face, a glittery pink top, and berry-colored lip gloss. The airy production and breathy vocals, reminiscent of her well-loved “Aquamarine,” create a feeling of stepping into the daydream of a schoolgirl pop-star-in-the-making, but, as we all know, Rae has already made it there. She’s basking in the spoils of her labor, looking towards an undoubtedly bright future, but the subtle callbacks to the fulfillment of her younger self’s dreams come across as strikingly genuine. The track is the epitome of joining the sacred and the synthetic, a dichotomy always worth exploring.
On her Instagram, Rae posted a release announcement for her debut studio album, “Addison,” writing, “This is my most personal and intimate possession. Making music is vulnerable, energetically sensitive, electric, gratifying, challenging…… pure magic. I am unbelievably proud. I am looking up to the sky with fingers interlaced.. lucky.”
While she’s had her fair share of criticisms, stemming from TikTok dance challenge virality and her humble beginnings as a content creator, there’s a lot to be said for Rae as an artist. Every project she shares with the world is clean and polished, with a replay value that many spend years perfecting. While the cockiness she exhibits in “Fame is a Gun” might be a turn-off for some, I would argue she’s self-aware of this — and doesn’t care. Rae is justifiably proud of what she’s accomplished in such a short time, and I think any of us who criticize her for showing off a bit would likely have to embrace our hypocrisy if the roles were reversed.
Loudspeaker Collective 