Pain Salesmen (feat. Ren)
Prof
The Dark Side of Fame: A Journey Through 'Pain Salesmen'
Prof's song 'Pain Salesmen (feat. Ren)' delves into the gritty and often disturbing realities of the music industry and the pursuit of fame. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an artist's struggle to maintain authenticity while being pressured to conform to industry standards. The repeated line 'I'm just grinding like I'm told, I'm just trying to sell my soul' encapsulates the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of exploitation and self-compromise. This sense of entrapment is further emphasized by the recurring phrase 'It goes on and on it goes,' suggesting an endless loop of struggle and disillusionment.
The song also explores the darker aspects of human nature and societal pressures. Lines like 'Should we kill somebody? It's time to find out' and 'Murder, murder, I got murder on my mind' use hyperbole to highlight the extreme measures people might consider when pushed to their limits. These lyrics serve as a metaphor for the cutthroat nature of the industry, where success often comes at the expense of one's morals and mental well-being. The mention of 'buying a politician' and 'hurting somebody for the high score' further critiques the corrupt and competitive environment that artists navigate.
Ren's verse adds another layer to the song, focusing on the commercialization of pain and struggle. The line 'Monetize life to get Instagram famous' criticizes the superficiality and commodification of personal experiences in the age of social media. The verse also touches on the mental toll of this lifestyle, with phrases like 'waking up wasted' and 'selling all my music to make money off the struggle.' The collaboration between Prof and Ren creates a powerful narrative that questions the true cost of fame and the lengths to which people will go to achieve it.