Smoke From Fire
Bas Lyrics

Still I rise
The singer is resilient and persistent in the face of adversity

Still I rise
The singer is confident in their ability to overcome obstacles

Still I rise
The singer continues to rise and succeed despite challenges

Still
The artist continues to persevere through trials and hardships

Been hearin' a lot of "Too High To Riot"
The artist is aware of criticisms of their lifestyle and choices

They study me like recitals
People closely examine and scrutinize the singer's actions and behavior

I'm flattered I am an idol
The singer is honored to be looked up to and admired

That mean I am inspiring growth I am beside myself
The fact that the artist is an inspiration to others fills them with a sense of pride and fulfillment

Spirit has lifted the hoes
The artist's positive impact has lifted the spirits of those around them

Nigga this isn't a boast, I have been giving the most
The artist is not trying to brag, but acknowledges that they have put in a lot of hard work and effort

Go through my body of work
The singer invites others to examine the complete collection of their creative output

That's a lot of hours fear, pride, insomnia working
The artist has poured a lot of time, emotion and effort into their work, sometimes at the expense of their own wellbeing

They might see the dirt true, they gone see the work too
Others may criticize the singer or look down on them, but they will also recognize and appreciate the singer's hard work and accomplishments

Don't forget to look up at the stars, my boy
The singer advises others to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world and be grateful for what they have

Niggas washed, I could help you wit them bars, my boy
The singer claims to be more skilled and successful than others and offers to help them improve

Just hit up OakShades, send the check, heard?
The artist provides a specific way to contact them and demands payment for their services

I'm the best out I wanna be the best heard
The artist is confident in their abilities and wants others to recognize and appreciate their talent

Put my life in a song tryna get heard
The singer uses their music to share their life story and connect with others

Just to die a hundred time like Westworld, damn
The singer feels like they are playing a never-ending game or struggle, like the characters in the show Westworld

I got my city on my shoulders
The artist feels a sense of responsibility and duty to represent and support their community

I gotta work, work, work
The artist knows that success requires hard work and dedication

Don't want no pity I'm a soldier
The artist is determined to succeed on their own and does not want pity or charity from others

And kicking down doors when they hold keys
The singer is not afraid to challenge authority or overcome obstacles

Put 'em in places we won't reach
The artist wants to push boundaries and achieve success beyond what others thought was possible

Weak niggas falling for the okie
The singer is critical of those who are easily fooled or misled

'Cause there ain't no place that we won't reach
The singer is confident in their ability to succeed no matter the circumstances

Hate your own skin and put on bleach
The singer is hurt and frustrated by those who feel the need to change their appearance to be accepted or respected

Hard not to feel pity for those people
The artist empathizes with those who have internalized racism and other forms of prejudice

Heavy the world with its bold evils
The artist feels that the world is plagued by serious and weighty issues

I wish you could unsee
The singer wishes that others had not been exposed to the same painful experiences and injustices that they have faced

I look at the magazine cover
The singer notices the lack of diversity and representation in mainstream media

But they don't have this color
The artist is not represented or included in popular culture

Would you still call me a thug?
The artist wonders if they would still be unfairly judged or stereotyped if they looked different

If I ain't have this color
The artist believes that their race plays a significant role in the way others perceive them

That shit rhetorical, boy please
The singer is frustrated by the obviousness of the question and dismisses the idea that the answer is not obvious

Lessons we learned since like Rhodesia
The artist references the history of colonialism and oppression in Africa

'Cause black in this world never known peace
The singer feels that systemic racism and violence against Black people has been and continues to be a pervasive issue throughout history

Closest we came was a cold breeze
The singer believes that even moments of relative peace for Black people have been fleeting and short-lived

On the plantation for the OGs
The singer sees a connection between the experiences of enslaved people in the past and the continued struggles of Black people today

We demand payment, fuck the police
The artist demands compensation and justice for the harm and trauma inflicted upon Black people by the police and the wider system

Get no damn statement
The artist has lost faith in the justice system and is not interested in making an official statement or cooperating with authorities

Lawyer money in my bank statement, yeah
The singer has the financial resources to protect themselves against injustices in the legal system

Hanging with killers, parolees
The singer's social circle includes those who have been involved in criminal activity or have been incarcerated

I told 'em I got 'em, I got 'em
The artist promises to support and look out for their friends despite the challenges they may face

I heard the top can get lonely
The artist is aware that success can be isolating and lonely

Well so is the bottom, no problem, yeah
The artist understands that even those who are not successful face their own unique challenges and struggles