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"Money Maker"
Single by Ludacris featuring Pharrell
from the album Release Therapy
ReleasedJuly 17, 2006 (US radio)
Recorded2006
GenreDirty rap
Length3:50
Label
Songwriters
ProducerThe Neptunes
Ludacris singles chronology
"Unpredictable"
(2005) 		"Money Maker"
(2006) 		"Need a Boss"
(2006)
Pharrell singles chronology
"Mr. Me Too"
(2006) 		"Money Maker"
(2006) 		"Number One"
(2006)
Music video
"Money Maker" on YouTube

"Money Maker" is a song by American rapper Ludacris featuring Pharrell Williams. It was released to the radio on July 17, 2006 as the first single from Ludacris' fifth album Release Therapy. Produced by Williams and Chad Hugo (known collectively as The Neptunes), the song is a reimagining of the 1961 Elmore James blues song "Shake Your Moneymaker". The single became Ludacris' third number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Tracks charts.

Released on August 17, 2006, the song's music video premiered on MTV's Making the Video and later managed to reach the number-one spot on BET's 106 & Park, where it remained for several days. The single had a major promotional campaign and huge airplay on radio around the U.S., Canada and other countries around the globe, while the video received strong airplay on BET, MTV, and Canada's Muchmusic. The song was performed on the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and later won Best Rap Song at the 49th Grammy Awards.

American R&B singer, Amerie, recorded an answer back (remix) to the single. The song was included on her first mixtape, Because I Love It Volume 1 (the mixtape that was released to accompany her third studio album Because I Love It). The song however did not appear on the final album. Because I Love It was released to international markets only.

Critical reception

[edit]
  • About StarStarHalf star

"Money Maker" was obviously intended as a summer smash, as it more than satisfies the requirements: lame yet memorable pick-up lines ("I'm a bedroom gangsta"), disorganized, rambunctious production, and an accompanying big-budget video. Overall, it's a major setback in Ludacris' campaign to claim the Southern rap throne.

  • Pitchfork StarStarStar

Atlanta really did need another strip-club anthem. So Ludacris and Pharrell deliver "Money Maker", roasting a Nellyesque sing-rap over steamy tropical percussion, a relentless knock that re-imagines "Can I Get a..." played with pots and pans. Fleshed out with deep, one-two bass punches and organs that trickle before bursting, it sounds faintly sinister. The hook boasts a lowering blend of Eros and economics: Luda's soliciting followed by Skateboard's stage-whispered counsel to "Shake your moneymaker / Like somebody 'bout to pay ya."

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Money Maker" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of August 26, 2006.[1] It moved seventeen spots to number 79 the week of September 2, 2006[2] and another eighteen spots to number 61 the week after.[3] Two weeks later, it entered the top 40 at number 15 the week of September 23, 2006.[4] It moved thirteen spots to number two the week after with gains in airplay and digital sales,[5] but was kept off the top spot for four weeks by Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack".[6] It reached number one the week of October 28, 2006 and held that spot for two weeks before losing it again to Timberlake with "My Love",[7] remaining on the chart for a total of twenty-five weeks.[8] The song gave Ludacris his second number-one hit as lead artist and third overall, as well as Pharrell's second number-one hit.

The song appeared at number thirty-five on the Billboard Year-End chart of 2006, and number ninety-two in 2007.

It peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for one week,[9] the Rhythmic chart for five weeks,[10] and the Hot Rap Songs chart for seven weeks.[11] On December 6, 2006, the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 copies in the United States.[12]

Music video

[edit]

Directed by Melina Matsoukas (who directed R&B singer Shareefa's "Need a Boss") and released on August 17, 2006, premiering on various music channels including BET, MTV, and MuchMusic, the video for "Money Maker" consists of Ludacris rapping with girls dancing around him against a basically-colored background of orange, green and black. He has a counting machine that counts how many times he gets a girl to shake her rear end (called "money maker") for him. Pharrell appears during the chorus with girls and stacks of money. There is also a Chrysler ME Four-Twelve and large speakers in the background that vibrate throughout the video, which are actually salad bowls, as Ludacris explains in "Making the Video". Allen Iverson, Shareefa, Bobby Valentino, & Lil Fate make cameo appearances. The video notably features Ludacris debuting a fade haircut on camera, having shed his trademark cornrows to mark a new image.

Credits and personnel

[edit]

The credits for "Money Maker" are adapted from the liner notes of Release Therapy.[13]

Recording
Personnel

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12]
Digital 		2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
United States (RIAA)[12]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Money Maker

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Money Maker" is a hip hop song by American rapper Ludacris featuring singer and producer Pharrell Williams, released on July 17, 2006, as the lead single from Ludacris's sixth studio album, Release Therapy. Produced by The Neptunes—Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo—the track reinterprets the 1961 blues song "Shake Your Moneymaker" by Elmore James, transforming it into an upbeat anthem celebrating dance, confidence, and empowerment, particularly in club and strip club settings. With a runtime of 3:50, the song's catchy hook and explicit lyrics propelled it to commercial dominance. The track marked a significant moment in Ludacris's career, becoming his second number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, where it held the top position for two weeks in October 2006 and charted for 25 weeks overall. It also topped the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, contributing to the success of Release Therapy, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2007. Critically, "Money Maker" was praised for its infectious production and Ludacris's charismatic delivery, though some reviewers noted its overt focus on materialism and sensuality as emblematic of mid-2000s hip hop trends. The accompanying music video, directed by and released in August 2006, features and Pharrell in a neon-lit club environment with dancers, emphasizing the song's party vibe and earning heavy rotation on and . Over time, "Money Maker" has been recognized as one of the era's defining strip club anthems, influencing subsequent hip hop tracks and maintaining popularity through streaming platforms, with over 90 million Spotify streams as of 2025.

Background and recording

Development

"Money Maker" originated as the lead single for Ludacris's fifth studio album, Release Therapy, released on September 26, 2006, by Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam Recordings. Development of the track began in early 2006, aligning with the album's conceptual shift toward balancing high-energy party tracks with more introspective material. The song drew direct inspiration from Elmore James's 1961 blues classic "Shake Your Moneymaker," reinterpreting the phrase's emphasis on rhythmic movement into a contemporary hip-hop context centered on dance-floor energy. Ludacris aimed to craft a quintessential party anthem that celebrated sensuality and club culture, particularly evoking the vibe of strip club environments through its infectious call to "shake your money maker." To achieve this, collaborated closely with , who contributed the song's catchy hook and co-wrote the track alongside production duo of Pharrell and . Pharrell's involvement brought a signature futuristic bounce to the concept, enhancing its appeal as a modern reimagining of blues-rooted sensuality.

Production

"Money Maker" was produced by , the production duo of and . The track was recorded in 2006 at Chalice Recording Studios in , , with additional mixing at Larrabee Sound Studios and The Zone. Recording engineer Andrew Coleman handled the sessions, contributing to the song's polished, upbeat sound.

Composition

Music

"Money Maker" is a track rooted in southern hip-hop, featuring influences that contribute to its energetic, party-ready vibe. The song operates at a of 84 beats per minute (BPM) in the key of , creating a mid-tempo groove suitable for dancing. The song's structure opens with an intro centered on ' hook, followed by three verses delivered by , interspersed choruses that utilize a call-and-response pattern between Williams and Ludacris, a bridge, and a fading outro that reinforces . This format builds momentum through repetition and interplay, emphasizing the track's rhythmic drive. Produced by (Pharrell Williams and ), the instrumental emphasizes a pulsating heavy that anchors the groove, complemented by sparse, minimalistic synth lines for atmospheric texture, sharp handclaps for percussive snap, and rolling hi-hats that evoke early trap elements. These components align with ' signature futuristic, spacey production aesthetic, resulting in an upbeat, dance-oriented rhythm. The track's sonic palette echoes the playful yet gritty southern hip-hop innovations of contemporaries like , blending club appeal with regional flair.

Lyrics

The lyrics of "Money Maker" center on the theme of women leveraging their physical attributes, referred to as "money makers," to captivate attention in a club or environment, infused with playful and explicit innuendos about and desire. The song portrays this dynamic as empowering yet transactional, drawing from culture where dancing provocatively attracts wealth and admiration. In his verses, Ludacris brags about his wealth and magnetic appeal, using metaphors to equate women's dancing with seduction and financial allure, such as instructing to "Switch, switch, switch it from right to left and switch it till you running right out of breath" to emphasize rhythmic, enticing movements. He employs lines like "When the beat drops, better make it hot" to highlight the irresistible pull of the party's energy, blending confidence with in a boastful . Pharrell's chorus delivers a repetitive, catchy that reinforces the call to action, with phrases like "Shake your money maker like somebody 'bout to pay ya" urging uninhibited movement as if earning direct reward. This section's simplicity amplifies its anthemic quality, encouraging listeners to embody the seductive motif. Stylistically, the lyrics feature abundant and , such as the titular "money maker" phrase with its assonant "m" sounds, alongside southern like "shawty" to ground the narrative in Atlanta's hip-hop vernacular. The verses follow an for straightforward flow, with Ludacris's contributions extending longer to build narrative momentum while Pharrell's shorter, echoed lines provide rhythmic punctuation.

Music video

Production

The music video for "Money Maker" was directed by in one of her earliest professional projects following her graduation from the Conservatory. Filming took place in using green screen technology on July 31, 2006, allowing for flexible set creation during . The production was handled by FM Rocks under Def Jam Records. The cast centered on and , supported by an ensemble of dancers whose performances highlighted the song's theme through synchronized, high-energy movements. Notable cameos included basketball player , singer , and rapper Lil Fate. The video is distinguished by Ludacris debuting a fade haircut, a shift from his signature that signaled a more mature image for the accompanying album . Matsoukas employed a vibrant visual style featuring club-like interiors with bold, neon-hued lighting in shades of orange, green, and black to evoke a pulsating atmosphere. The focused on dynamic hip isolations and group formations by the dancers, amplifying the track's rhythmic drive. In , green screen elements were composited to build immersive scenes, with rapid editing cuts synchronized to the beat for heightened intensity; the finished video premiered on and on August 17, 2006, shortly after the song's radio debut on July 17, and later reached number one on BET's .

Synopsis and themes

The music video for "Money Maker," with a runtime of 4 minutes, opens with and Pharrell emerging from a massive CGI bank vault clad in sleek, expensive suits, setting a tone of opulence before transitioning into a high-energy environment. Throughout the narrative, the duo is enveloped by a throng of dancers in the club, who provocatively "shake their money makers" in synchronized, exuberant routines, intercut with dynamic performance sequences of delivering verses amid the swirling party chaos. Key scenes highlight women in scant, glittering outfits executing bold , with frequent close-ups on hip-shaking motions that literally embody the track's central . Pharrell appears during the chorus with girls and stacks of money. The video extends roughly 15 seconds beyond the song's 3:50 audio length, allowing for a lingering montage of the revelry to amplify its climactic energy. Thematically, it portrays an exuberant homage to and , where serves as a form of agency and allure, reinforced by surreal visuals like dancers erupting into fountains of that link bodily expression to economic . These elements visually extend the song's hooks, transforming abstract lyrics about shaking assets into tangible spectacles of celebration and excess.

Critical reception

Reviews

Upon its release in 2006, "Money Maker" received mixed reviews from critics, who were divided over its explicit content and party-rap formula versus its energetic production and commercial appeal. Pitchfork gave the album Release Therapy a 5.8 out of 10 in its review, critiquing the track's overt explicitness and reliance on strip-club tropes, with writer Tom Breihan noting, "Atlanta really did need another strip-club anthem. So Ludacris and Pharrell deliver 'Money Maker,' roasting a Nellyesque sing-rap over steamy tropical percussion, a relentless knock that re-imagines 'Can I Get a...'". In contrast, AllMusic praised the song's catchiness in its 3-out-of-5-star album assessment, highlighting how Pharrell's production and Ludacris's charismatic delivery made it a standout club track, describing it as "a return to the crunked-out party rap that made Ludacris a star.". Positive aspects frequently emphasized included the infectious hook and Pharrell's sleek, tropical beat, which captured in its 3-out-of-5-star by calling the song a "fun vibe" that offset Ludacris's more introspective turns elsewhere on the album. echoed this in a mixed assessment, placing "Money Maker" in the album's first half as emblematic of Ludacris's "arse-obsessed" style but acknowledging Pharrell's chorus and beats as effectively provocative, quoting like "I'll put 'em in a till I get 'em out their pants.". Critics lauded Ludacris's and the track's , securing radio dominance. Critics on the negative side often pointed to the song's overly simplistic lyrics and dependence on formulaic rap tropes, with highlighting its "Nellyesque" imitation as uninspired. noted the track's hedonistic focus as business-as-usual for but lacking depth compared to the album's later, more mature cuts. Overall, while some saw "Money Maker" as a that reaffirmed Ludacris's party-rap prowess, others viewed it as emblematic of his reliance on explicit, trope-heavy content amid an evolving hip-hop landscape.

Accolades

"Money Maker" won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song at the held on February 11, 2007, marking Ludacris's second Grammy win in a rap category following his contribution to "Yeah!" (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) in 2005. The track, featuring , outperformed strong contenders including T.I.'s "What You Know," The Roots' "Don't Feel Right," and Chamillionaire's "Ridin'." This victory highlighted the song's innovative blend of rap and production, solidifying its place among the year's top hip-hop releases. The single also earned a nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the same ceremony, competing against notable entries such as featuring T.I.'s "My Love," featuring Jay-Z's "Deja Vu," featuring 's "," and featuring Nate Dogg's "." Although it did not win in this category—where "My Love" took the award—the nomination underscored the track's crossover appeal and collaborative strength. Additionally, "Money Maker" received a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video at the , recognizing its visually dynamic presentation directed by . These accolades, particularly the Grammy win, significantly boosted sales of Ludacris's album Release Therapy—which also won Best Rap Album—and enhanced his credibility within mainstream rap circles by affirming his ability to produce chart-topping, award-worthy material. The recognition helped elevate from a regional Southern rap star to a national powerhouse.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Money Maker" entered the at number 96 on the chart dated August 26, 2006. The song steadily climbed the ranks, reaching the summit on October 28, 2006, where it held the number-one position for two consecutive weeks, marking Ludacris's third chart-topper on the ranking. In addition to its success on the all-format , "Money Maker" also peaked at number one on the chart and the chart. The track performed strongly internationally as well, achieving top-ten placements in several markets. It spent a total of 25 weeks on the .
Chart (2006)Peak Position
(US)1
(US)1
(US)1
UK Singles Chart6
ARIA Singles Chart ()10
New Zealand Singles Chart3
On year-end tallies, "Money Maker" ranked number 35 on the 2006 and number 92 on the 2007 edition, reflecting its sustained presence across both years. The song's rapid ascent to the top of the was propelled by significant gains in radio airplay, particularly on rhythmic and urban stations, alongside robust digital download sales in an era when was gaining prominence.

Certifications and sales

"Money Maker" achieved notable commercial success, earning multiple certifications from industry bodies for its sales performance. In the United States, the single was certified by the (RIAA) on December 6, 2006, denoting shipments of 1 million units. It received an upgraded 2× certification from the RIAA on November 30, 2022, for 2 million units sold digitally. Internationally, "Money Maker" was certified by the Australian Recording Industry Association () in 2006 for 35,000 units shipped. It attained status from (RMNZ) in . Its chart-topping success further propelled these sales figures. As of 2025, the song has over 90 million streams on . The single significantly contributed to the commercial performance of its parent album, Release Therapy, which sold over 1.2 million copies in the United States and received Platinum certification from the RIAA.

Legacy

Cultural impact

The song "Money Maker" significantly popularized the phrase "shake your money maker" as slang for dancing provocatively, often referring to shaking one's buttocks, drawing from its reinterpretation of Elmore James' 1961 blues track while embedding it in contemporary hip-hop culture. This usage influenced late-2000s dance trends, particularly in club and party settings, where the hook encouraged energetic, body-focused movements that echoed in viral memes and social dance challenges during the era. Its high-profile performance at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, featuring Pharrell Williams and the Pussycat Dolls, amplified its visibility and cemented its status as a cultural touchstone in mainstream media. The track later appeared in the 2015 film The Big Short, symbolizing the excesses of the pre-financial crisis era with its themes of easy money and indulgence. "Money Maker" played a key role in hip-hop's mid-2000s mainstream pivot toward upbeat party anthems, blending Southern rap energy with pop accessibility and paving the way for similar high-energy tracks by artists like Flo Rida, whose 2007 hit "Low" echoed its club-ready formula. Recognized with a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2007, it underscored Ludacris' influence as hip-hop's ambassador to broader pop culture during the decade. By 2025, the song had amassed over 91 million streams on alone, reflecting its enduring appeal in clubs and as a staple that continues to drive nightlife playlists. performed the track on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in 2023, further demonstrating its lasting popularity.

Covers and samples

An official remix titled "Money Maker (Answer Back)" was released by American R&B singer in 2006, offering a response to the original song's from a female perspective and featured on her Volume 1. Ludacris has frequently performed live versions of "Money Maker" during his concert tours and festival appearances, including sets at events like the Burning Treez Festival in 2022 and as an for Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour in 2023. These performances maintain the track's energetic hip-hop style while adapting to live audiences. The song has been covered by other artists, notably a rock rendition by British band , which reinterprets the hip-hop original with heavier instrumentation. Additionally, it was performed on the reality competition The Masked Singer in 2020 by contestant Whatchamacallit during the Group B Playoffs episode. Several tracks have sampled elements of "Money Maker," including the mashup "¡Holy Guacamole!" by Super Mash Bros. in 2012, which incorporates the song's beat and hooks into a comedic blend with other recordings. Another example is "Get Loose" by The Airport District, which uses portions of the instrumental for its electronic dance foundation. "Money Maker" has appeared in media, such as the 2006 episode "High Octane" of the TV series (Season 5, Episode 7), where it underscores action sequences.

References

  1. https://music.apple.com/us/song/money-maker-feat-pharrell-williams/1440756840
  2. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ludacris/money-maker
  3. https://genius.com/Ludacris-money-maker-lyrics
  4. https://www.stereogum.com/2213595/the-number-ones-ludacris-money-maker-feat-pharrell/columns/the-number-ones/
  5. https://acharts.co/song/10796
  6. https://www.grammy.com/artists/ludacris/12475
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8054560/
  8. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/2JpUkUR0OsOlUUfm6iS8ic.html
  9. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/10/02/the-closer
  10. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/11/50-essential-hip-hop-songs/70571222007/
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/1210230-Ludacris-Money-Maker
  12. https://open.spotify.com/track/2JpUkUR0OsOlUUfm6iS8ic
  13. https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~dtompkin/music/track/CHRRADIO_124/CHRRADIO_124-07.html
  14. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ludacris/moneymaker.html
  15. https://blog.samplefocus.com/blog/sound-like-neptunes-pharrell-williams/
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orAzaWN96tc
  17. https://www.alamy.com/a-model-poses-on-a-car-as-rapper-chris-ludacris-bridges-records-his-new-music-video-money-maker-at-greenwich-studios-monday-july-31-2006-in-miami-the-grammy-winner-and-actor-has-cut-off-his-trademark-braids-to-mark-a-new-phase-in-his-lifeap-photoluis-m-alvarez-image541385905.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8054560/companycredits/
  19. https://www.villagevoice.com/the-mtv-video-music-awards-a-running-diary/
  20. https://music.amazon.com.au/tracks/B073GTM41N
  21. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9469-release-therapy/
  22. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release-therapy-mw0000778271
  23. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/sep/29/popandrock.urban
  24. https://grammy.com/news/grammy-rewind-ludacris-dedicates-best-rap-album-win-his-dad-2007-grammys
  25. https://www.xxlmag.com/best-rap-song-winners-grammy-awards/
  26. https://grammy.com/awards/49th-annual-grammy-awards
  27. https://www.recordingacademy.com/news/49th-grammy-nominees-announced
  28. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-red-hot-chili-peppers-dominate-2006-vma-nominee-list-81747/
  29. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ludacris-leapfrogs-timberlake-to-overtake-hot-100-56917/
  30. https://www.billboard.com/artist/ludacris/
  31. https://www.billboard.com/lists/hot-rap-songs-chart-25th-anniversary-top-100-songs/
  32. https://pophits.org/songs/ludacris-featuring-pharrell-money-maker
  33. https://mainemadeweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Billboard-Top-100-Songs-of-2006-Year-End-Charts.pdf
  34. https://mainemadeweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Billboard-Top-100-Songs-of-2007-Year-End-Charts.pdf
  35. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ludacris&ti=Money+Maker#search_section
  36. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ludacris-scores-third-no-1-with-release-therapy-57060/
  37. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ludacris-new-album-the-battle-of-the-sexes-debuts-at-1-soundscan---his-5th-1-debut-album-88205332.html
  38. https://www.theringer.com/2016/12/28/music/why-has-ludacriss-music-aged-so-badly-4e4ea4dc025
  39. https://www.grammy.com/videos/ludacris-dedicates-2007-best-rap-album-grammy-his-dad-grammy-rewind
  40. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/3ipn9JLAPI5GUEo4y4jcoi_songs.html
  41. https://www.rap-up.com/article/2006/10/25/amerie-releases-mixtape
  42. https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/ludacris-23d6bc1f.html
  43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L713AziWivw
  44. https://www.whosampled.com/cover/45289/Asking-Alexandria-Money-Maker-Ludacris-Pharrell-Williams-Money-Maker/
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR7H0e_5hD4
  46. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/714881/Super-Mash-Bros.-%25C2%25A1Holy-Guacamole%21-Ludacris-Pharrell-Williams-Money-Maker/
  47. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/852573/The-Airport-District-Get-Loose-Ludacris-Pharrell-Williams-Money-Maker/
  48. https://www.tunefind.com/song/ludacris-featuring-pharrell/money-maker
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