Golden's first music video, "Trappers Anthem", was released in 2017. In January 2019, he released the single "Valentino", which received over 100 million plays on Spotify. He received his first record deal through producer D. A. Doman. 24kGoldn got his big break through his 2019 "high-energy" single "Valentino". However, the rapper said in 2020 that "those ['Valentino'] were recorded over a year ago and don't exactly reflect the person I have become since then". Golden released his debut EP Dropped Outta College in November 2019, and he signed a record deal with Records, LLC and Columbia Records. In 2020, Golden gained further attention with single "City of Angels", which was officially released to US alternative radio on March 31, 2020; followed up in May 2020 with an official remix of the song by English singer-songwriter Yungblud. On May 20, 24kGoldn was featured on the remix of Olivia O'Brien's single "Josslyn".
On August 11, 2020, he was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class, placing in the 10th position after receiving the most fan votes. That same month, Golden's July 2020 single "Mood" featuring Iann Dior hit the charts due to its success on TikTok. It went on to peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
24kGoldn's music ranges from a variety of genres, motivated by his need to "never want[ing] to be constricted by one genre". Regarding his style, he stated: "depending on what song you listen to, my music can be described different ways". He attributes his "maturity and development" to rapper Paypa Boy, who initially got him into recording music.
24kGoldn grew up in San Francisco, California and attended Lowell High School, a selective public school. As a child, 24kGoldn acted in commercials. Golden sang in the choir in middle school and high school, and, with that, the importance of music in his life grew with his "own growth". Before he realised he could do music professionally, he planned on becoming a hedge fund manager. Golden attended the University of Southern California where he joined the Beta-Sigma Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, as a Spring 2019 initiate. He initially took a leave of absence from school to pursue his rap career. Golden stated that he was not anticipating "that things were going to happen so fast when I came to USC", and did not think he would finish University, but he wanted to round off the school year to further develop the relationships he made, stating his love for being on campus, and that being a student kept him "grounded".
Love Or Lust
24kgoldn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Uh-whoa
Would you walk eight thousand miles
Just to make me smile on a rainy Wednesday?
If so, then you gots to go
It ain't mutual and I'm not pretending
Greenlight, I'm the kryptonite to your love life, no happy ending
You need to slow down, shawty, you way too focused on me
Callin' all the time, blowin' up my line crazy (yeah, yeah)
Now I gotta hide, do the duck and dive daily
Couldn't see the signs, you're a Gemini
Shoulda known (ayy, ayy)
Shoulda known
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
Was warm to the touch, it's colder than winter now
Uh-whoa
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Uh-whoa
When destiny calls, it won't be for me
Yeah, you should move on, there's nothin' to see here (No)
Isn't my fault you fall into pieces
Told you from the jump (jump), I can give you what you want
Said you'd keep your cool, we could take it slow (take it slow)
'Til you heard my song on the radio
And now we can't go back to the way it was before (before)
Before
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
Was warm to the touch, it's colder than winter now
Uh-whoa
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Uh-whoa
Who told you to be so rude?
You're actin' too irrational (you crazy, girl)
I told you the truth, so let me be now
Uh-whoa (yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
Was warm to the touch, it's colder than winter now
Uh-whoa
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now (oh)
Uh-whoa
Love or lust
Love or lust (yeah, yeah)
Love or lust
Love or lust (ooh)
Love or lust
Love or lust
Uh-whoa
Uh-whoa
In "Love or Lust," 24kGoldn contemplates whether the relationship he’s in is fueled by love or lust. He tells his partner that they need to be clear about their feelings because if it’s love on their end, he shouldn’t be there. Despite enjoying the warm embrace of their partner, he ultimately decides to leave because it’s never enough. His partner is too focused on him, calling all the time and blowing up his phone.
The chorus emphasizes the need to clarify their true intentions in the relationship: love or lust. He questions if it’s love, why does it feel insufficient, and if it’s lust, why he’s still around. He’s struggling because he recognizes that his partner wants and needs more from him than he’s willing to give. The bridge suggests that he’s grown tired of the relationship and his partner's clinginess, explaining that he told her the truth and now he needs to leave.
In summary, "Love or Lust" portrays the tension and confusion that can come from trying to navigate a romantic connection where the lines between love and lust can often feel blurred.
Line by Line Meaning
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
The singer is telling their partner that they need to clarify if the relationship is based on love or lust.
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
If the partner is truly in love, the singer feels that they should not be in the relationship.
Was warm to the touch, it's colder than winter now
The passion in the relationship has faded away and now it feels cold and lifeless.
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
The singer feels that the relationship will never satisfy them, so they have to end it.
Would you walk eight thousand miles
Just to make me smile on a rainy Wednesday?
The singer is questioning if the partner is willing to go to great lengths to make them happy.
If so, then you gots to go
It ain't mutual and I'm not pretending
The singer is saying that if the partner is willing to go to great lengths but the singer doesn't feel the same way, then they cannot be together.
Greenlight, I'm the kryptonite to your love life, no happy ending
The singer feels that they are a roadblock to the partner's future love life and that the relationship will not end happily.
You need to slow down, shawty, you way too focused on me
The singer is telling the partner that they are too obsessed with them and need to relax.
Callin' all the time, blowin' up my line crazy (yeah, yeah)
Now I gotta hide, do the duck and dive daily
The partner is constantly calling the singer and the singer feels the need to hide to avoid them.
Couldn't see the signs, you're a Gemini
Shoulda known (ayy, ayy)
Shoulda known
The partner is a Gemini sign and the singer regrets not realizing that they would not be a good match.
When destiny calls, it won't be for me
Yeah, you should move on, there's nothin' to see here (No)
The singer believes that they are not meant to be with the partner and that they should move on.
Isn't my fault you fall into pieces
Told you from the jump (jump), I can give you what you want
The singer feels like they warned the partner from the beginning that they couldn't give them what they truly wanted.
Said you'd keep your cool, we could take it slow (take it slow)
'Til you heard my song on the radio
And now we can't go back to the way it was before (before)
Before
The partner originally promised to take things slow but changed their mind when they heard the singer's song on the radio. Now, things can't go back to how they used to be.
Who told you to be so rude?
You're actin' too irrational (you crazy, girl)
I told you the truth, so let me be now
Uh-whoa (yeah, yeah, yeah)
The singer is upset with the partner's behavior and tells them they are acting crazy. They believe they were honest and now just want to be left alone.
Love or lust
Love or lust (yeah, yeah)
Love or lust
Love or lust (ooh)
Love or lust
Love or lust
Uh-whoa
Uh-whoa
The chorus repeats the message that the relationship is based on either love or lust and needs to be clarified.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Billy Walsh, Golden Landis Von Jones, Louis Russell Bell, Omer Fedi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arunmusic26
lyrics
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
Would you walk eight thousand miles just to make me smile on a rainy Wednesday?
If so, then you gots to go, it ain't mutual and I'm not pretending
Green light, I'm the kryptonite to your love life, no happy ending
You need to slow down, shawty, you way too focused on me
Callin' all the time, blowin' up my line crazy (Yeah-yeah)
Now I gotta hide, do the duck and dove daily
Couldn't see the signs, you're a Gemini
I shoulda known (Ayy, ayy)
I shoulda known, ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch is colder than winter now (Oh)
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
When destiny calls it won't be for me
Yeah, you should move on, there's nothin' to see here (No)
Isn't my fault you fall into pieces
Told you from the jump (Jump), I can't give you what you want
Said you'd keep your cool, we could take it slow (Take it slow)
'Til you heard my song on the radio
And now we can't go back to the way it was before (Before)
Before, ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch is colder than winter now (Oh)
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust (Oh-oh, oh), we just need to be clear (Oh-oh, oh)
'Cause if you're in love (Oh-oh, oh), then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
Who told you to be so rude?
You're actin' too irrational (You crazy, girl)
I told you the truth so let me be now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh (Yeah-yeah, yeah)
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch is colder than winter now (Oh)
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust (Oh-oh, oh), we just need to be clear (Oh-oh, oh)
'Cause if you're in love (Oh-oh, oh), then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
Love or lust
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Love or lust
Love or lust (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Ooh woah
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
(also i write songs inspired by Jeremy Zucker/Lauv. I'd love if you give a shot to my music and subscribe 'cause most probably you won't regret<3have a good day:)
@chumjetza6251
I did not put a thumb down. However I would say that love is more worthy than lust as I believe in god. God is love and god is eternal. So his love will be eternal—> love > lust
Lust is part of hedonism which unfortunately also leads to consumerism (e.g. pornography, laziness and even don‘t caring about moral values).
If we focus more on loving ourselves we would be a better society.
Because self love also means self discipline. And the power to love us comes from god, not from us which means we need god.
Even if a society does not believe in god, it should follow the path of love and self discipline rather than following their lust and quick dopamine.
@shadheart
[Intro]
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
[Verse 1]
Would you walk eight thousand miles just to make me smile on a rainy Wednesday?
If so, then you gots to go, it ain't mutual and I'm not pretending
Green light, I'm the kryptonite to your love life, no happy ending
You need to slow down, shawty, you way too focused on me
Callin' all the time, blowin' up my line crazy (Yeah-yeah)
Now I gotta hide, do the duck and dive daily
Couldn't see the signs, you're a Gemini
Shoulda known (Ayy, ayy)
Shoulda kno-o-own
[Chorus]
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch, is colder than winter now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
[Verse 2]
When destiny calls, it won't be for me
Yeah, you should move on, there's nothin' to see here (No)
Isn't my fault you fall into pieces
Told you from the jump (Jump), I can't give you what you want
Said you'd keep your cool, we could take it slow (Take it slow)
'Til you heard my song on the radio
And now we can't go back to the way it was before (Before)
Before, oh-oh-oh
[Chorus]
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch, is colder than winter now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust (Oh-oh, oh), we just need to be clear (Oh-oh, oh)
'Cause if you're in love (Oh-oh, oh), then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
[Bridge]
Who told you to be so rude?
You're actin' too irrational (You crazy, girl)
I told you the truth so let me be now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
[Chorus]
It's love or it's lust, we just need to be clear
'Cause if you're in love, then I shouldn't be here
What's warm to the touch, is colder than winter now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
It's love or it's lust (Oh-oh, oh), we just need to be clear (Oh-oh, oh)
'Cause if you're in love (Oh-oh, oh), then I shouldn't be here
It's never enough, so I gotta leave you now
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
[Outro]
Love or lust
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Love or lust
Love or lust (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Love or lust (Yeah, yeah)
Ooh, woah
Ooh-woah-oh, oh-oh
@t.a.w2970
Hi golden!! I'm your korean fan and a korean rap artist T.A.W. I've actually started to know your music since DOC and when you got on xxl.
The album released few days ago gave me a loooooot of inspiration to my thoughts and how I should live my life from now on.
Especially when I heard love or lust, I IMMEDIATELY went to my studio and covered it. The music's vibe reminds me of Korean genres which is called TROT or BALLAD. Korea fans really like your music. Actually your nickname in Korea is 'Sungeumee' which means Mr. Pure Gold in Korea. 😊😊
As so, after I heard the whole album El Dorado, I felt that I should give positive and bright energy like you and I should be a musician like that. And also I felt that the days a person lives day by day every moment is a light and you should show your voice.
I made a cover music video by myself on the cover of love or lust. I kind a mixed the vibe with Korean emotions which is called 'Han' It means resentment or sorrow in Korean MOODS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMCNlsdJMLI
This is the link of the video I made!(Of course no commercial profit) If you get a chance to watch my video it will be a honor🙏🙏
Thank you so much for inspiring me as a artist, further as a person.
@testy6052
This song is so underrated, Im surprised this doesn't have a million views already , I,ve had this song on repeat for the past 2 days.
@mithunnair8587
Ya man this should be made to a music video❤️
@watrfall3642
It only took 2 months dont worry
@KOZZYGOTMEDREAMIN
He do
@clex_hrf
Ongggggg
@poppylady126
Yeah it's better than " more than friends" i hear in the radio 🙄
@GawxArt
Those strings damnnnn 😍😍
@prod_woo
BRO U RE EVERWHERE
@JupeGiggles
Everything about this song is unreal
@kalebdaniels
GAWX!!!!