Azalea's debut studio album, The New Classic (2014), peaked among the top five on several charts worldwide, but received mixed reviews from within the industry. The album eventually topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, making Azalea the first non-American female rapper to reach the top of the chart. The New Classic was preceded by Azalea's debut single "Work" and chart-topping single "Fancy" (featuring Charli XCX), which hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Azalea was featured on Ariana Grande's 2014 single "Problem", which peaked at number two behind "Fancy". With these hits, Azalea became the second musical act (behind The Beatles) act to rank at number one and two simultaneously on the Hot 100 with their debut appearances on the chart. In addition, she achieved three top ten hits simultaneously on the Hot 100 with the aforementioned songs and the album's fifth single, "Black Widow" (featuring Rita Ora), which debuted later that year.
After her debut album, Azalea released a slew of singles to build anticipation for her intended second album, Digital Distortion. However, a series of conflicts with her label, as well as personal conflicts, resulted in the project being cancelled. Consequently, Azalea switched labels, releasing the EP Survive the Summer (2018) under Island Records. Further disagreements led to Azalea becoming an independent artist and creating her own label, Bad Dreams, through a distribution deal with Empire. Her second album, In My Defense, was released in 2019, followed by another EP, Wicked Lips, that same year. Before taking a hiatus from music, Azalea released her third studio album, The End of an Era, in August 2021.
Azalea's accolades include two American Music Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, a People's Choice Award, four Teen Choice Awards and four Grammy Award nominations. Azalea's official YouTube channel has accumulated more than 3.4 billion views, with 15 music videos receiving over 100 million views on Vevo.
Problem
Iggy Azalea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't smile in my face and no don't at me
I mean if you're broke you're not in the conversation
Time is money I don't get paid for my patience
You shooting shots like free throws
You ain't even hit me once, bitch reload
Winning at life, this shit feeling like a cheat code
You going downhill you need a ski pole, hoe
You a mouse in a rat race, sis
Money over bitches what I mean
Ice cold veins real in my blood stream
Vendetta, whatever, whenever
Any level, 'cause I can turn into a devil
We can hit the gas, put the pedal to the metal
I ain't playin' games, all scores get settled
Oh, it must suck to be you (you)
Bad luck, losers gon' lose (lose)
I'm not actin' brand new
It is what it is, I do what I do
Attitude on, bitch, fuck being nice (nice)
Don't like me? I'm not surprised
Live your life, please, don't watch mine
Oh, you mad? I don't know why
That sound like a personal problem
That sound like a personal problem
I'm top shelf, you way at the bottom
That sound like a personal problem
Woke up this morning and I'm still rich
Pushing my buttons it ain't nothing but a kill switch
All you bitches fake look at me and see the realest
I ain't never tripping but you hoes need a field trip
Back up if I act up, you'll be looking for some backup
Get your racks up, big bank like Mack trucks blowing stacks, yup
Keep dancing 'round that issue that'll get you tapped up
You're not lit, I'll blow out your candle
Play your cards, do you wanna gamble?
Look, in these eyes, I'm the one they wanna see
You can't ride the wave 'cause the water too deep
Vendetta, whatever, whenever
Any level, 'cause I can turn into a devil
We can hit the gas, put the pedal to the metal
I ain't playin' games, all scores get settled
Oh, it must suck to be you (you)
Bad luck, losers gon' lose (lose)
I'm not actin' brand new
It is what it is, I do what I do
Attitude on, bitch, fuck being nice
Don't like me? I'm not surprised
Live your life, please, don't watch mine
Oh, you mad? I don't know why
That sound like a personal problem
That sound like a personal problem
I'm top shelf, you way at the bottom
That sound like a personal problem
(Problem) Oh, it must suck to be you
Bad luck, losers gon' lose
(Problem) I'm not acting brand new
It is what it is, I do what I do
The lyrics of Iggy Azalea's song "Problem" are about the rapper's confidence in herself and her wealth, as well as her declaration that she won't let anyone else bring her down. She starts off by saying that she's willing to be the villain in someone else's story if that's what they want, and that she won't tolerate anyone being fake or insincere towards her. She makes it clear that she values money and time, and that she won't waste the latter on people who aren't worth it. She also uses basketball metaphors to assert her dominance over her detractors, claiming that her life feels like a game with cheat codes that she's winning effortlessly.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "That sound like a personal problem," which feels like a dismissal of anyone else's criticisms or concerns. Iggy seems to be saying that she's already on top, and that anyone who is angry or jealous of her success needs to deal with it on their own. She also repeats the line "Bad luck, losers gon' lose," which reinforces her stance that she doesn't have time or patience for anyone who can't keep up with her. The song ends with Iggy reiterating that it's "her way or the highway," essentially telling anyone who doesn't like her or her lyrics to deal with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be the bad guy if that makes you happy
I'm willing to be the villain if it's what you want
Don't smile in my face and no don't at me
Don't pretend to like me and don't even mention me
I mean if you're broke you're not in the conversation
Sorry, if you're not wealthy, we can't relate
Time is money I don't get paid for my patience
I value my time and won't waste it waiting for you
You shooting shots like free throws
You keep trying, but you haven't hit your target
You ain't even hit me once, bitch reload
You haven't even made a dent in my success, so try again
Winning at life, this shit feeling like a cheat code
I'm achieving so much, it feels like I'm cheating the system
You going downhill you need a ski pole, hoe
You're failing miserably and need help to avoid crashing
I'm the one you in last place, bitch
I'm the clear winner and you're in dead last
You a mouse in a rat race, sis
You're constantly struggling and getting nowhere
Money over bitches what I mean
My wealth is more important than any relationship
Ice cold veins real in my blood stream
I'm calm and collected, it's just in my nature
Vendetta, whatever, whenever
I'm up for revenge whenever, wherever
Any level, 'cause I can turn into a devil
I'll stoop to any level to get what I want
We can hit the gas, put the pedal to the metal
Let's go all out and give it our all
I ain't playin' games, all scores get settled
I'm serious and won't stop until everything is resolved
Oh, it must suck to be you (you)
I bet your life isn't going too well
Bad luck, losers gon' lose (lose)
Those who haven't had success will continue to fail
I'm not actin' brand new
I'm not changing who I am to impress anyone
It is what it is, I do what I do
I'm comfortable with myself and my actions
Attitude on, bitch, fuck being nice (nice)
I'm not interested in being polite or likeable
Don't like me? I'm not surprised
I'm not bothered if you don't like me
Live your life, please, don't watch mine
Mind your own business and let me live my life
Oh, you mad? I don't know why
I'm not sure why you're angry
That sound like a personal problem
That's a problem you need to deal with on your own
I'm top shelf, you way at the bottom
I'm at the top of the game, and you're at the bottom
Woke up this morning and I'm still rich
I woke up feeling grateful for my wealth
Pushing my buttons it ain't nothing but a kill switch
Trying to make me upset only leads to my success
All you bitches fake look at me and see the realest
I'm the only one who keeps it real in a world of fakes
I ain't never tripping but you hoes need a field trip
I'm never stressed, but you could learn a thing or two from me
Back up if I act up, you'll be looking for some backup
If you cross me, you'll need some help to handle the consequences
Get your racks up, big bank like Mack trucks blowing stacks, yup
Earn more money, accumulate wealth like a Mack truck
Keep dancing 'round that issue that'll get you tapped up
Stop avoiding the problem or it'll catch up to you
You're not lit, I'll blow out your candle
You're not impressive, I'll prove you wrong
Play your cards, do you wanna gamble?
Make the most of your opportunities, take risks and see where it leads
Look, in these eyes, I'm the one they wanna see
I'm the center of attention, everyone wants to be near me
You can't ride the wave 'cause the water too deep
You can't keep up with me, the competition is too intense
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah Rebecca
on Work
i love this song iggy is awesome
Jalyn Welch
on Bounce
i love this song!
Carmela Bellucci
on Fancy
[Verse 1 — Iggy Azalea:]
First thing's first, I'm the realest (realest)
Drop this and let the whole world feel it (let them feel it)
And I'm still in the Murda Bizness
I could hold you down, like I'm givin' lessons in physics (right, right)
You should want a bad bitch like this (huh?)
Drop it low and pick it up just like this (yeah)
Cup of Ace, cup of Goose, cup of Cris
High heels, somethin' worth a half a ticket on my wrist (on my wrist)
Takin' all the liquor straight, never chase that (never)
Rooftop like we bringin' '88 back (what?)
Bring the hooks in, where the bass at?
Champagne spillin', you should taste that
[Hook — Charli XCX:]
I'm so fancy
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo
I'm so fancy
Can't you taste this gold?
Remember my name
'Bout to blow
[Verse 2 — Iggy Azalea:]
I said, "Baby, I do this, I thought that you knew this."
Can't stand no haters and honest, the truth is
And my flow retarded, each beat did depart it
Swagger on stupid, I can't shop in no department
To get my money on time, if they not money, decline
And swear I meant that there so much that they give that line a rewind
So get my money on time, if they not money, decline
I just can't worry 'bout no haters, gotta stay on my grind
Now tell me, who that, who that? That do that, do that?
Put that paper over all, I thought you knew that, knew that
I be the I-G-G-Y, put my name in bold
I been working, I'm up in here with some change to throw
[Hook — Charli XCX:]
I'm so fancy
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo
I'm so fancy
Can't you taste this gold?
Remember my name
'Bout to blow
[Bridge — Charli XCX:]
Trash the hotel
Let's get drunk on the mini bar
Make the phone call
Feels so good getting what I want
Yeah, keep on turning it up
Chandelier swinging, we don't give a fuck
Film star, yeah I'm deluxe
Classic, expensive, you don't get to touch
Ow...
[Verse 3 — Iggy Azalea:]
Still stunned, how you love that?
Got the whole world asking how I does that
Hot girl, hands off, don't touch that
Look at it I bet you wishing you could clutch that
It's just the way you like it, huh?
You so good, he's just wishing he could bite it, huh?
Never turn down money,
Slaying these hoes, gold trigger on the gun like
[Hook — Charli XCX:]
I'm so fancy
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo
I'm so fancy
Can't you taste this gold?
Remember my name
'Bout to blow
[Outro:]
Who that, who that, I-G-G-Y
That do that, do that, I-I-G-G-Y
Who that, who that, I-I-I-G-G-Y
Blow
Who-who-who-who that, who that, I-G-G-Y
That do that, do that, I-I-G-G-Y
Who that, who that, I-I-I-G-G-Y
Blow