After amassing a staggering 40 million views on Instagram reels with an exciting teaser, Grammy®-nominated artists Quavo and Lana Del Rey release their highly anticipated new song “Tough” today via Capitol/Interscope/Polydor.
This unexpected collaboration between the trap maestro and the queen of dreamy Americana has set the music world abuzz, blending genres in a way that showcases both artists’ versatility and appeal.
“Tough” Release Details and Background
Tough dropped just before the Fourth of July, a timing that seems particularly fitting given Lana Del Rey’s penchant for Americana themes.
The song is a unique fusion of trap beats and Del Rey’s signature dreamy style, creating a sound that’s both fresh and familiar to fans of both artists.
Lana Del Rey and Quavo wrote the track, while Watt and Cirkut received production credits.
Jack Antonoff, a frequent collaborator of Del Rey’s, also contributed to the songwriting process.
This collaborative effort brings together some of the most talented minds in the music industry, resulting in a track that pushes boundaries and defies genre expectations.
While initially rumoured to be part of Del Rey’s upcoming country album “Lasso,” “Tough” appears to be a standalone single, currently only available on Quavo’s YouTube channel.
This has left fans speculating about the song’s place in both artists’ discographies and eager to hear more collaborations between the two.
“Tough” Music Video: A Visual Journey
The “Tough” music video, helmed by director Wyatt Spain Winfrey, known for his work with Migos and other rap luminaries, offers viewers a captivating visual narrative.
Set against a rustic, pastoral backdrop, the video portrays Quavo and Lana as intrepid companions, unfazed by life’s hurdles.
The footage, imbued with a nostalgic, vintage-inspired aesthetic, follows the pair as they explore sun-drenched countryside vistas.
Intimate scenes show them lounging in meadows of swaying grass, their faces close enough to suggest an almost-kiss.
These tender moments are interspersed with more dynamic shots: Quavo at the wheel of a vehicle, Lana Del Rey beside him, as snapshots of rural America flicker past.
One particularly evocative image captures Quavo holding a shotgun while Lana Del Rey cradles her guitar—a striking visual metaphor that encapsulates the song’s essence.
This tableau speaks volumes about their contrasting origins yet shared resilience, perfectly embodying the track’s theme of strength drawn from diverse experiences.
The video’s pastoral setting, combined with its sun-soaked, slightly hazy visual style, creates an atmosphere that bridges the gap between Quavo’s urban roots and Del Rey’s Americana-infused aesthetic.
It’s a visual representation of their musical fusion, bringing together two seemingly disparate worlds into a harmonious whole.
Quavo and Lana Del Rey “Tough” Lyrics Breakdown
The lyrics of Tough capture resilience and strength, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey their message.
Chorus: “Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude Like a .38 made out of brass Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass”
This opening chorus, sung by Lana Del Rey, sets the tone for the entire song.
It uses classic American imagery – leather boots, blue-collar workers, guns, and whiskey – to paint a picture of toughness.
These references not only align with Lana Del Rey’s Americana aesthetic but also bridge the gap between her style and Quavo’s trap roots.
Quavo’s Verse: “Come on, take a ride with me Like the 808s beatin’ in the trunk in Atlanta, it was tough Crawlin’ through the mud, I couldn’t find love, then we came up”
Quavo’s verse transforms Tough into a sort of us-against-the-world love song.
He references his Atlanta roots with the mention of “808s” (a type of drum machine popular in hip-hop) while describing the journey from struggle to success.
The line “Crawlin’ through the mud, I couldn’t find love, then we came up” suggests a shared experience of overcoming adversity.
Lana’s Verse: “Like a nickel on strings and your good old Gibson guitar Tell me what it feel like Like the smoke and the drawl every hour and the way you talk slow”
In her verse, Lana Del Rey continues the theme of toughness but focuses on more musical and cultural references.
The mention of a Gibson guitar and the way someone talks slow paints a picture of Southern resilience and charm, further emphasising the country influences in the song.
The Impact and Reception of “Tough”
The release of Tough has generated significant buzz in the music industry.
The teaser clip alone became Quavo’s most-viewed Instagram reel of all time and Lana’s second-largest.
This level of engagement speaks to the star power of both artists and the intrigue surrounding their unexpected collaboration.
The duo even performed the song together during Lana’s headlining performance at Fenway Park in Boston, giving fans a live taste of their collaboration before its official release.
For Lana Del Rey, Tough marks her first collaboration with a rapper since her 2017 album “Lust for Life,” which featured The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, and Playboi Carti.
Quavo, on the other hand, has been consistently releasing singles since his second solo studio album, “Rocket Power,” dropped in August 2023.
Tough adds another dimension to his discography, demonstrating his ability to adapt his style to complement different artists and genres.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Quavo and Lana Del Rey?
As Tough continues to make waves, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for both artists.
Lana Del Rey has been particularly busy, having released her album “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” last year.
Now, she’s set her sights on new territory with a forthcoming country album titled “Lasso.”
Del Rey has suggested that “Lasso” will hit the shelves in September, though an exact release date hasn’t been confirmed.
This upcoming project represents an intriguing shift in her musical direction, potentially building on the Americana influences that have long been a part of her sound.
While Tough was initially rumoured to be part of this new album, it appears to be a standalone single for now.
Nevertheless, this collaboration with Quavo could be seen as a stepping stone towards her new country-influenced direction.
Fans should keep an eye out for official announcements from Del Rey or her management for the most up-to-date information on the release of “Lasso.”
The anticipation for this album, coupled with the success of Tough, suggests an exciting new chapter in Del Rey’s ever-evolving career.
Quavo, continuing his solo journey post-Migos, seems to be exploring new sounds and collaborations.
Tough might signal a willingness to push beyond the boundaries of trap and venture into more genre-bending territory.
With his second solo studio album, “Rocket Power,” having dropped in August 2023, fans are curious to see how collaborations like Tough might influence his future projects.
This unexpected pairing of Del Rey and Quavo on Tough has certainly piqued interest in both artists’ upcoming works, leaving audiences eager to see what other surprises they might have in store.
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Quavo and Lana Del Rey Tough Lyrics
Chorus: Lana Del Rey
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass
Life’s gonna do what it does
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough
Tough
Tough
Verse 1: Quavo, Quavo & Lana Del Rey
Come on, take a ride with me
Like the 808s beatin’ in the trunk in Atlanta, it was tough
It was kinda hard for me
Crawlin’ through the mud, I couldn’t find love, then we came up
Look at what we are, baby
Standin’ through the storm, still shinin’ like a diamond in the rough
Still shinin’, and that’s hard
If you ever lost someonе that you love
Pre-Chorus: Quavo
Through the pain, gotta show ’em, givе ’em light
Still family if you’re wrong or you’re right
No matter, we together
It’s not somethin’ that you wanna do, it’s just somethin’ you goin’ through
Chorus: Quavo & Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass (Grandpa’s glass)
Life’s gonna do what it does (Ooh)
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough (Shine, shine)
Tough
Hard
Verse 2: Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey & Quavo
Tell me how it’s hard for you
Like a nickel on strings and your good old Gibson guitar
Tell me what it feel like
Like the smoke and the drawl every now in the way you talk slow
Oh, yeah, yeah
Like the songs that your mama sing to you
And the way that it makes you tell the truth
If you come from where you come, then you were born tough
Bridge: Lana Del Rey & Quavo
Here, say where you come from
It’s not what you wanna do, it’s what you’re gonna do
Now, it’s no place to run
If that’s what you’re gonna do, what am I gonna do? (Tough)
Chorus: Quavo & Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude (Yeah, yeah)
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass (Grandpa’s glass)
Life’s gonna do what it does (Ooh)
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough (Shine, shine)
Tough
Outro: Quavo & Lana Del Rey
You wanna come to the Nawf? (Mm-hm)
I’ll show you around
That’s why I said, “Come take a ride with me”
When?
Whenever, whenever you ready
Call on me, brr
I’ll give it back when I get there
Aight, that’s a bet