Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Akintoye moved to Vaughan, Ontario, Canada at age nine, experiencing what he called a "little culture shock". His father, a fan of West Coast hip-hop, would often sing the infant Akintoye to sleep with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance". As a child, Akintoye sang in choir, took piano and flute lessons, and rapped and recorded videos, but was not initially passionate about music. At age ten, he volunteered to perform Drake's verse in the Young Artists for Haiti version of K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" for a middle school end-of-year concert, which sparked his desire to pursue rapping.
Akintoye attended McMaster University in Hamilton. He later said he was "dealing with a lot of anxiety" in university and used songwriting to "make sense of things and maintain my sanity."
Akintoye's influences as a rapper include Joey Badass, J. Cole, Chief Keef, and Kendrick Lamar, who "drew from their trauma using metaphors and poetry", and 1990s New York rapper Big L, whom Akintoye called "so ahead of his time" and "one of the first people to craft stories from beginning to end for all his songs, all while maintaining a terrific technical skill set."
Vertigo
Akintoye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want the key to the city, I want it right now
Don't give a fuck about livin' you niggas' lifestyle
No second thought if you cross me, I'll do you quite foul
I put my soul in my music, I put in hours and hours of feelin' powerless
Politickin' with power trippin' egos
None of these niggas could fuck with me, though
The son shine, writin' punchlines until the sunrise
Askin' 'bout feelin' hopeless, they know that I feel it sometimes
I'm unsigned, I ain't makin' money off this shit yet
Out in open waters, took a raft before the ship wrecked
Got my niggas with me, everybody else an insect
Food for thought, niggas ain't thinkin' before they ingest
Ain't no second chances, ain't no reset
Walkin' through the sneaker store the only time they see checks
Heat check, reset, I see in 3x
Niggas ain't shakin' a dime off of me yet
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
Fuck with the balance, I'm shakin' the status quo
Planet and leave 'em with vertigo
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
Fuck with the balance, I'm shakin' the status quo
Planet and leave 'em with vertigo
Ain't no prescription for vision slips
Dissociation the difference
This out of body experience, can't be conflicted with typical nigga shit
Teachers nitpickin' the penmanship
Perpetuation of ignorance
Missing the gift we been giving, 'cause ain't no precision in shit that we sent it in
Niggas ain't built for this shit, can't kill for this shit, can't feel for you
If I keep it real, I'ma cause some problems
Niggas takin' deals on the low for profit
Smilin' through my city, when I'm really not nice like Baka
Got the top locked like Rastas
Check my posture, I got the backbone y'all lost
The whole city chocked, full of impostors, full of imposters
Niggas ain't built for this shit, can't kill for this shit, can't feel for you
If I keep it real, I'ma cause some problems
Niggas takin' deals on the low for profit
Smilin' through my city, when I'm really not nice like Baka
Got the top locked like Rastas
Check my posture, I got the backbone y'all lost
The whole city chocked, full of impostors, full of imposters
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
Fuck with the balance, I'm shakin' the status quo
Planet and leave 'em with vertigo
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
Fuck with the balance, I'm shakin' the status quo
Planet and leave 'em with vertigo
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
I just been workin' so, vertigo
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
I just been workin' so, vertigo
In the song Vertigo by Akintoye, he starts off by telling somebody in the building to turn the lights down. He goes on to declare that he wants the key to the city right now and doesn't care about living the lifestyle of those around him. He's willing to do whatever it takes to get his way, even if it means crossing others. He puts his soul into his music, but often feels powerless when dealing with those in power.
Akintoye talks about working hard at his craft and how he's not making any money from it yet but is determined to keep going. He's surrounded by his close friends who he refers to as his "niggas," and anyone else is just an insect to him. He believes that people need to think before they eat, and there are no second chances in life. He ends by saying that he's shaking up the status quo and anyone who comes in his way will be left with vertigo.
The song touches on themes of power, hard work, and perseverance while also acknowledging the struggles of the artist in a cutthroat industry. Akintoye is willing to do whatever it takes to make it, and he's not afraid to ruffle feathers along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody in the building turn the lights down
Asking for a change in the atmosphere to set the mood
I want the key to the city, I want it right now
Desire for recognition and control over the city's opportunities
Don't give a fuck about livin' you niggas' lifestyle
Disinterest in following societal norms and expectations
No second thought if you cross me, I'll do you quite foul
Willingness to take revenge without hesitation if disrespected
I put my soul in my music, I put in hours and hours of feelin' powerless
Dedication to music as a means of catharsis and empowerment
Politickin' with power trippin' egos
Dealing with influential people who let their egos control their actions
None of these niggas could fuck with me, though
Confidence in skills and abilities
Beat the fucking matrix, I'm the one, nigga, Neo
Metaphorically defeating societal systems and emerging as a chosen leader
The son shine, writin' punchlines until the sunrise
Writing rap lyrics throughout the night until sunrise
Askin' 'bout feelin' hopeless, they know that I feel it sometimes
Expressing vulnerability and admitting to struggles with feelings of hopelessness
I'm unsigned, I ain't makin' money off this shit yet
Not yet profiting from music despite hard work and dedication
Out in open waters, took a raft before the ship wrecked
Navigating life's obstacles by taking precautions before potential disasters
Got my niggas with me, everybody else an insect
Strong bond with a select group of friends and indifference towards others
Food for thought, niggas ain't thinkin' before they ingest
Metaphorically comparing knowledge to food and encouraging others to think critically before consuming it
Ain't no second chances, ain't no reset
Acknowledgement that life doesn't always offer second chances
Walkin' through the sneaker store the only time they see checks
Playing with the double meaning of 'checks' to show that materialistic wealth is not the only measurement of success
Heat check, reset, I see in 3x
Continuously testing and evaluating oneself and reflecting on past experiences
Niggas ain't shakin' a dime off of me yet
Others have not yet been able to take advantage or profit from Akintoye's hard work
Ain't no prescription for vision slips
There's no prescribed remedy for a lack of clarity or foresight
Dissociation the difference
Insinuation that dissociating from negative patterns and thoughts can lead to positive change
This out of body experience, can't be conflicted with typical nigga shit
Describing a positive, surreal feeling that does not fit in with stereotypical behavior of Black men
Teachers nitpickin' the penmanship
Commenting on how society often focuses on petty details rather than the substance of someone's work
Perpetuation of ignorance
Observation that ignorance is reinforced and normalized
Missing the gift we been giving, 'cause ain't no precision in shit that we sent it in
Acknowledging that talent and potential can sometimes be wasted due to lack of resources or opportunity
If I keep it real, I'ma cause some problems
Being honest and genuine can sometimes create conflict and tension with others
Niggas takin' deals on the low for profit
Calling out people who are willing to compromise their values and integrity for financial gain
Smilin' through my city, when I'm really not nice like Baka
Appearing friendly and approachable, but in reality having a tough exterior like rapper Baka Not Nice
Got the top locked like Rastas
Similar to the Rastafarian culture, being in control and protecting oneself from external threats
Check my posture, I got the backbone y'all lost
Confidence in oneself and not surrendering to societal pressure or expectations
The whole city chocked, full of impostors, full of imposters
Observation that many people in the city pretend to be something they're not
I just been workin' so, I just been workin' so
Emphasizing the hard work and dedication put into music
Fuck with the balance, I'm shakin' the status quo
Intentionally disrupting the norm and creating change
Planet and leave 'em with vertigo
Successfully making a big impact and leaving others in awe
I just been workin' so, vertigo
Recognition that hard work and success can be overwhelming and disorienting
Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.