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BET Awards 2021: 5 Life Lessons We Learned From Roddy Ricch

Roddy’s rhymes are a roadmap to living life outside “The Box.”

Compton native Roddy Ricch is the fast-flowing phenom who took over 2020 with hits like “The Box'' and “High Fashion.” The 22-year-old‘s hard-knock lessons speak directly to our souls with melodies that make every line relatable and authentic. Whether the 2020 BET Awards New Artist and Album of the Year winner is motivating you to celebrate a win by “Ballin’”' on your haters or crooning through the pain of the struggle on tracks like “War Baby,” Mr. Ricch could teach a college course on using music to express your emotions. 

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Here are five keys to killing the game that we picked up by listening to and watching his rapid rise to success:

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  1. Stack Your Money

    (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

    Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

    (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

    If you want to be “Ballin’” all summer like Roddy and DJ Mustard, you have to save up. On his fan favorite “Fu** It Up,” Roddy spits, “I wasn’t born a baller, I had to stack it up, I had to learn this/Everything I got, I earned it.” Discipline is key in reaching your goals and money management is one of the toughest disciplines to master. Even if your cash flow is low, finding goals that inspire you to save and invest your money can be a powerful motivation that gets you closer to your dreams.

  2. Always Be Consistent

    (Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images)

    Unique Nicole/Getty Images

    (Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images)

    On his first viral hit “Every Season,” Roddy preaches the power of staying consistent with your grind. Leave haters in the bleachers by sticking to your ABC’s (always be consistent) and watch your racks stack up like Roddy’s with time. If Ricch gave up during any of the times he struggled to establish his music career, we wouldn’t have jams like the Scott Storch-produced “Down Below” or underground hit “Cream” to ride out to as we chase our dreams. Be patient and persistent if you want  your stock to rise as fast as Roddy’s has the past few years.

  3. Bet On Yourself

    (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

    Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

    (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

    Scared money don’t make money and Roddy is living proof. The Compton crooner is flashy with his fashion sense, as he suggests on the DJ Mustard-produced hit “High Fashion,” but he invests in more than just getting fly. Roddy started his music career by investing money he hustled up himself on the streets. The gamble clearly paid off at 2020’s BET Hip Hop Awards when he won both ”song of the year” and “album of the year.” 

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  5. Learn From The O.G.s

    (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)

    Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images

    (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)

    The late great Nipsey Hussle introduced Roddy to the world shortly before his tragic passing in 2019. Their smooth single “Racks In The Middle” has become an unofficial torch-passing between the fellow LA natives as Roddy continues to carry the momentum Nip built. Roddy has also aligned himself with Cash Money moguls Brian “Baby” Williams and Lil Wayne, who recently worked with Roddy on their new single “Stunnaman,” and surely shared a few pointers about continuing to level up in the game.

  6. Take Risks To Get Rewards

    (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
    (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

    Following his 2019 summer smash “Ballin’, Roddy could have taken the easy route and released cookie cutter follow-ups. Instead, he continued to challenge himself as an artist on his debut album Please Excuse Me For Being Anti-Social, which showcased multiple styles and skills. Whether he’s rapping double time on “PETA,” alongside Meek Mill, or crooning urgently on “War Baby,” Roddy’s always in his bag when he steps in the booth. He’s proof that the only way to reach your true potential is to shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’re among the stars.

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