Addison Rae Pulls the Trigger on Pop Stardom in “Fame Is a Gun”
Just a week away from her highly anticipated debut album, Addison Rae has shared one more single from the forthcoming self-titled album, “Addison.” The synth-pop song, “Fame Is A Gun,” arrived with a music video directed by Sean Prince Williams, in which we see the TikTok star turned pop star in a blonde wig hosting a dinner party and performing the track with two backup dancers.
The song starts with a pulsing synth line and vocals that feel robotic, perfectly setting the tone for this electro-pop track. Thematically, Addison Rae turns into the “gun,” a metaphor both literal and figurative. With lyrics such as “Fame is a gun and I point it blind,” she positions herself as a target for the media, giving us the idea that celebrity culture can be as destructive as it is glorified. “Crash and burn, girl, baby, swallow it dry” talks about how Rae is fully aware that this glamorous life comes with a price, as she is forced to accept something uncomfortable without holding back a response.
Throughout the track, Rae talks about the relationships audiences have with their favorite artists, saying, “You got a front row seat and I, I got a taste of the glamorous life,” leaning into the power dynamic between those who spectate and those who perform for them. The repetition of “glamorous life” feels hollow and ironic, but powerful enough to let it stick with you. “Tell me who I am, do I provoke you with my tone of innocence?” is a self-aware nod to the image that she established for herself ever since she began posting TikTok videos, but also a refusal to explain herself, only confessing that she has always wanted more.
“Fame Is A Gun” is a confident track from Addison Rae’s debut project. It positions her not only as a future pop star everyone is looking into, but also as a commentator on the system that elevates artists. The production of the track feels very 2000s, as it reminds you of “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, and she leans into the aesthetic of that era throughout this album. Addison has experienced the highs and inherent dangers of fame, leaving the listeners with a lingering sense of allure and peril of celebrity.
Since the release of “Diet Pepsi,” Addison has cemented herself as one of the music industry’s most promising voices, and this track not only positions her as a pop star in the making but as an artist willing to explore the tension between allure and danger, beauty and brutality. Whether it’s a definitive reinvention or a bold detour, one thing is clear: Rae is no longer asking to be taken seriously; she is daring you to underestimate her. Pre-order her album here!
