Light
Big Sean Jeremih Lyrics

Is it time?
The singer is questioning whether it is the right moment to speak about something important.

I spent my whole life trying to improvise
The singer has lived their entire life making things up as they go along, without a plan.

I'm not saying that shit for you to sympathize
The singer is not looking for sympathy or pity from the listener.

Spent my whole life tryna find the light that's at the end of the tunnel
The artist has been looking for a solution or a way out of a difficult situation for a long time.

I should have realized it was inside
The artist now understands that the answer they were looking for was inside themselves all along.

So lately I been trying to get what's inside outside
The singer is now trying to express their inner thoughts and feelings to the outside world.

So many people wanna see my insides outsides
The singer has been feeling pressured by others to reveal their true self.

I'm from that city four hours east of Southside
The artist is from a specific city located four hours away from the Southside of another location (presumably in the United States).

Where everyone outside, but don't fuck with no outsiders
In the artist's hometown, everyone knows each other and doesn't trust outsiders.

Growing up, with the ones I hold it down with
The artist grew up with a close group of friends who have always been there for them.

Whole city got my back on some photobomb shit
The entire city supports the singer (like in a photobomb picture, where everyone jumps in to show their support).

Whole city blowing up on some old Saddam shit
The city is becoming very successful and prominent (like Saddam Hussein was in Iraq).

Before this I was the one hoes tried to go to prom with
Before the singer became famous/successful, they were popular with girls and sought after as a prom date.

You know, take the fame, take the crib
If someone were to take the singer's fame and material possessions, they would still have something that can't be taken away from them.

Take our cars, now we gotta take the train
Even if someone were to strip the singer of their luxurious lifestyle, they are still able to find alternative ways of transportation.

Hood niggas takin' chains, slave master take our names
People in the artist's community are losing their identity and being taken advantage of.

5-0 take the shot, young souls take the blame
The police are shooting and killing young people, who are then being blamed for their own deaths.

Man but they can't take away the light
Despite all of the negative things happening to the singer and their community, they still have something inside of them that can't be taken away.

No matter how much they gon' shade you (no)
Regardless of how much negativity is thrown at the singer, they will not let it affect their inner light.

Man they can't fuck with the light
The artist's inner light is too strong for anyone to extinguish.

They can't stop the shine
Nobody can quell the artist's positive energy and success.

Hell nah the boy's that bright
The artist is very talented, bright, and successful.

Even if you take away my life, you can't take the light
The singer's inner light is so strong that not even death can put it out.

Got the whole city on fire
The artist's success and talent have caused the entire city to be excited and inspired.

Boy this the flow that got Steph Curry inspired
Steph Curry (a famous basketball player) was inspired by the singer's unique musical style.

This the flow that got Lebron James finna rewire
LeBron James (another famous basketball player) is considering changing his approach based on the singer's inspiration.

This the flow that got my whole family finna retire
The singer's success has allowed their family to retire comfortably.

Flows on flows, I might drown in this bitch
The artist has so many ideas and musical flows that they feel like they might be overwhelmed.

Ye found a pro, I guess I'm profound in this bitch
Kanye West (aka Ye) recognized the artist's talent and helped them become very successful.

My dad from Louisiana, man the smallest town
The singer's father is from a very small town in Louisiana.

Where if they know you brown, they might hold you down
In the singer's father's hometown, people of color may be held back by racism and prejudice.

And even hose you down, man
The police may use violent methods to control people in this town.

Since I'm a son, I feel like I gotta stunt hard
As the son of someone who came from a small town, the artist feels like they need to show off their success and achievements.

I took the hand that they gave me and played the Donald Drumpf card
The artist used the opportunities they were given in a similar way to how Donald Trump became wealthy and successful.

And realized counting money never feel as good as counting blessings
The singer recognizes that being grateful for what they have is more important than making money.

And a loaded mind is more dangerous than a loaded weapon
The artist believes that having a lot of knowledge and power can be more dangerous than having a weapon.

Don't let them take away your soul (no, no)
The singer is encouraging the listener not to let others change who they are, or take away their inner light or spirit.

Don't let them take away what makes you whole
The singer is advising the listener to hold onto the things that make them feel complete and happy, even in the face of adversity or criticism.