Listen: Ali Ansari has money to burn and 'Escobar' is proof

In case you didn’t know, Ali Ansari is out with a track titled Escobar, and with that, he’s bringing Columbia home – or at least trying to.

His song takes a distinctive departure from the rags-to-riches theme often touched upon in Pakistani hip-hop, and intriguingly aligns itself with the Western hip-hop tradition of flaunting wealth, parties, and an extravagant lifestyle. The track's thematic focus on opulence is evident in its lyrics and music video, where Ansari boasts about his affluence, invoking a sense of being beyond the reach of the average listener.

The term "Desi Columbia" suggests a desire to bring the Colombian cartel aesthetics home, creating an illusion of being wealthy and powerful, akin to a mafia lord or superstar. The music video reinforces this theme, featuring Ansari reveling in luxury. The visuals, featuring expensive cars and wads of cash align with the essence of the lyrics.

Ansari goes on to rap about his "expensive shoes" that "groove sari raat" and dollars that surround him. He also gives a nod to his "babies" while letting listeners in on his playlist that includes Jay-Z – no surprise there. He assures us that his dealings are "shady" but he's a “millionaire”, baby, so it's all good. He also says that his love isn't fake and his heart is "naik" (clean), before referencing to “walk-in protocols,” calling it some "gangster shit".

Despite its sassy songwriting and flashy exterior, the track lacks the depth and thought-provoking nature often associated with the genre. It is clear albeit that the song does not intend to sound “deep” – not even close. The track isn’t meant to humanize Ansari, instead, it is focused squarely in the realm of aspirational fantasy. The song panders to an audience seeking the feel-good vibes.

In the broader context of hip-hop, it aligns with a tradition that sees artists use themes of wealth to appear untouchable and influential. Escobar positions Ansari as one of those artists, and maybe even as someone who’s successfully ventured into an uncharted territory in the local music scene. But his song may not be everyone’s cup of tea – least of all, ours. His fans would feel otherwise.

Listen to Escobar here:

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