He describes a constant battle with his inner demons created by his past when contemplating his feelings towards his mother. He outlines her toxic habit of leaving home and hurting the family dynamic through the track’s chorus. Furthermore, the lyrics indicate how Keem has contributed to this cycle by neglecting his sister:
"My sister RiRi only see me on the screen
I know she needs me, I can’t help but feel T"
This highlights his depressive state of mind as well as his troubles maintaining current relationships.
Keem cycling in the music video represents him running from his inner demons as well as fame (represented by the helicopter spotlight) and his trauma.
Later in the video, Baby Keem unmounts his bike and contemplates opening the door to return home. He chooses to unmount from the bike and not to open the door, walking towards the helicopter spotlight. This illustrates his growth beyond his turmoil. He has chosen to leave his old life, address his inner demons and move forward, navigating through his newfound stardom.
Baby Keem took to social media to emphasize the track’s significant and substantial value, especially given that he both wrote and produced the memorable track.
"I wrote and produced a song titled issues. It means a lot to me.
I’ll perform it on tv."
-Keem via Twitter
issues
Baby Keem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memories about people all in my head
First come to mind is my mama buyin' me Jordans
Are we really made equal? 'Cause everybody got plans
I can't go ghost, I face demons
Don't let it defeat you, all in my hands
I know it's hard for you to come out that trance
I look myself in the mirror when I can
I know it's you, I know just what you do
I knew since we first got evicted out our roof
Might knew since rehab, I was six, tryna see you
How could I resent you? Demons and tissue
Grandma and I missed you
You don't know what we've been through
Don't let the wolves come get you
Please don't let them come get you
How could I resent you? Demons and tissue
Grandma and I missed you
You don't know what we've been through
Don't let the wolves come get you
Please don't let them come get you
Run away from home, run away from home
When the night's gone, when the night's gone
Run away from home, run away from home-ome-ome-ome-ome
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all seem to be convinced?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all question my exit?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all livin' on the fence?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why I'm sleepin' on it?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why it get me so upset?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all want me dead?
Why you listen to the demons in your head?
Why do we play victim? Good times are ahead
Attention, this is my life sentence, huh, huh
You're committed, huh, defensive 'bout your vision, huh, huh
Don't you get offended, huh
When the darkness hits, I'll show you all that I'm not kiddin', huh
Grow a tree, plant the seed, let it breathe
My sister RiRi only see me on the screen
I know she needs me, I can't help but feel T
How could I resent you? Demons and tissue
Grandma and I missed you
You don't know what we've been through
Don't let the wolves come get you
Please don't let them come get you
How could I resent you? Demons and tissue
Grandma and I missed you
You don't know what we've been through
Don't let the wolves come get you
Please don't let them come get you
In "Issues" by Baby Keem, he reflects on his past and the struggles that come with it. He describes how he has distanced himself from his friends and becomes caught up in the memories of the people in his life. The first memory that comes to his mind is his mother buying him a pair of Jordans, which makes him question whether everyone is truly made equal. He wrestles with his demons and tries not to let them defeat him, even though they are always in his mind.
The lyrics speak to the deep pain that Baby Keem carries with him, stemming from his past. He talks about running away from home and questioning why people are so convinced that he should stay. He also questions why people question his decisions and why they are living on the fence. Despite all of this, he is determined to move forward and create a better life. He talks about growing a tree and planting the seed, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and not giving up.
Overall, "Issues" is a powerful song that explores themes of pain, struggle, and resilience. It is a reflection on the challenges we all face in life and a reminder to not let the demons in our heads defeat us.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been duckin' my friends, I've been stuck on my ends
I have been avoiding my friends and focusing on my own goals
Memories about people all in my head
I have memories of people stored in my mind
First come to mind is my mama buyin' me Jordans
The first memory that comes to mind is my mother buying me Jordans
Are we really made equal? 'Cause everybody got plans
I wonder if we are all truly equal since everyone has their own plans
I can't go ghost, I face demons
I cannot disappear, I must confront my fears and problems
Don't let it defeat you, all in my hands
I must not let my problems defeat me, it all depends on my actions
I know it's hard for you to come out that trance
I understand it can be difficult for you to break free from your current state of mind
I look myself in the mirror when I can
I try to analyze myself when I can
Let's speak the truth, tell me in pieces
Let's be honest, tell me bit by bit
I know it's you, I know just what you do
I know it's you and I understand your actions
I knew since we first got evicted out our roof
I knew since we were first evicted from our home
Might knew since rehab, I was six, tryna see you
I might have known since rehab at the age of six, when I was trying to see you
How could I resent you? Demons and tissue
How could I hold a grudge against you? We have both faced our own inner demons
Grandma and I missed you
Both my grandma and I have missed you
You don't know what we've been through
You don't fully understand what we have experienced
Don't let the wolves come get you
Don't let the negative forces in life overcome you
Please don't let them come get you
Please do not let them defeat you
Run away from home, run away from home
Escape from your surroundings, flee from your problems
When the night's gone, when the night's gone
When the darkness and difficulties have passed
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all seem to be convinced?
Why are you all so convinced of something?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all question my exit?
Why are you all questioning my decision to leave?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all livin' on the fence?
Why are you all indecisive and not taking sides?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why I'm sleepin' on it?
Why am I struggling to come to a decision?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why it get me so upset?
Why does it make me so upset?
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why y'all want me dead?
Why do you all want me to fail?
Why you listen to the demons in your head?
Why do you let your inner demons control you?
Why do we play victim? Good times are ahead
Why do we keep playing the victim? Good times are coming
Attention, this is my life sentence, huh, huh
Listen up, this is my life and I am committed to it
You're committed, huh, defensive 'bout your vision, huh, huh
You are committed to your own vision and become defensive about it
Don't you get offended, huh
Don't become offended
When the darkness hits, I'll show you all that I'm not kiddin', huh
When the difficult times come, I will show you all that I am serious
Grow a tree, plant the seed, let it breathe
Let something grow, start from the beginning and give it space to develop
My sister RiRi only see me on the screen
My sister RiRi only sees me through the media
I know she needs me, I can't help but feel T
I know she needs me and I cannot ignore this feeling
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hykeem Jamaal Jr. Carter, Jahaan Sweet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SteezyKane
The composition/framing at 3:30 is so beautiful
@Vlad79X
steezyy!
@lxwkey_biggz4074
The whole pictures and visuals in this is beautiful to
@alfiansyaharrazak5502
LEST GO ON FKIN SINGING IN PUBLIC STEEZYYY!!
@solartea_
almost cried
@ultimavillain
annotations spoiled this visual moment
@theJGGLS
Easily the best song on the whole album 🔥🥲
@iamlivehere5067
https://youtu.be/KusJPhptgTg ❤️
@vloggangingtv9253
YO BROOKLYN STAND I BELIEVE THIS KID GOT WHAT IT TAKES 🚀 https://youtu.be/mo5cc9fpZDI
@payten8103
Silver gold copper
https://youtube.com/shorts/3-hcafyPyCA?feature=share
🎵