Elevation
Bums Lyrics


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[Repeat: x4]
I gotta free my mind

I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah, I gotta free my mind, free my mind
I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah? I gotta free my mind, free my mind
From sand docks to auction blocks to R&B
From hip-hop, how many rappers flip-flop to get props?
Signed the dotted line but didn't read through the costs
(When your album sits on the desk) "That's when ya lost!"
Followed your label's notion no promotion now you're audi
And that's the type of moves that make an artist act rowdy
Emcees fallin victim to financial, seduction
Then watchin creative weight extracted, like liposuction
Your A and R like see'n'are got many styles to suit ya
But if it's false to me I've never been an ass smoocher
Since I don't brainwash minds, with talkin nines and
How I shoot ya, it seems no multi million dollar contract's
In my future, I could swallow the bait and get gassed
Like petroleum, but contracts break like Rock Steady
On linoleum, no wackin in my format, no Grammy awards
Rap over break loops and samples, no R&B chords
On a mission from God, to make the conscious souls nod
When I'm rhyming, I take tracks of coal and then
Compress em to a diamond, I'm in the mind state
To escalate, when all rappers participate
It's fate for rap to elevate

[Repeat: x2]
I gotta free my mind (yo as a matter of fact)
I gotta free my mind (we're not goin out like that)
I gotta free my mind (we got the power to stay)
"Other rappers, they went slip slidin away"

You're goin, downtown to leave your mark on the biz
You reminisce, you and your A&R was first friends
You got talent and you ain't afraid to splurge hip-hop
Better thrills than Jordan alley-oops the pill but still
Got verbals like murder, so call on Perry Mason
Twenty-five to life, is what I'm facing, for this fate's in
The element of fine print I've read it and overseen
By judgmental pompous ass phonetics, the critic
I'm still the rapper for the rhymes that he expresses
Or manifests, no frontin, I wrote the shit while blunted
Take control, don't be a fuckin fish on a pole
Label's will leave you murdered in a river with no soul
It's true, for what you say is what you do with the flow
For labels MC's come and they go, but B.U.M.S.
We leave our mark for hip-hop's devastation
In our strive to stay alive for my record's elevation

I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah, I gotta free my mind, free my mind




I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah? I gotta free my mind, free my mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Elevation" by Bums is a call to all artists to free their minds from the constraints of the music industry. The lyrics talk about the various pitfalls that artists can fall into, such as signing contracts without reading through the costs and following label promotions without realizing that it can lead to their downfall. The song's main message is that the only way to excel in the music industry is to be true to yourself and your art.


The song also emphasizes the need for loyalty and staying true to one's roots. The lyrics talk about how many rappers flip-flop to get props, but in the end, it's not worth it. The Bums proclaim that they are not afraid to stay true to their style and not conform to what the industry demands. They want to make music that resonates with the conscious souls and elevates rap to a higher level.


In conclusion, "Elevation" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles and challenges faced by artists in the music industry. The song is a call for artists to free their minds from the constraints of the industry and to stay true to their art. It is a reminder that success is not just about making money but also about making a positive impact on the world.


Line by Line Meaning

I gotta free my mind
The artist needs to clear their thoughts and escape the pressures of the music industry.


From sand docks to auction blocks to R&B
Regardless of the genre or background, all artists face challenges in the industry.


Signed the dotted line but didn't read through the costs
Artists often unknowingly sign contracts that can lead to financial exploitation and loss of creative control.


(When your album sits on the desk) "That's when ya lost!"
If an artist's work is not being actively promoted, they are likely to experience a decline in their career.


Emcees fallin victim to financial, seduction
Artists can be lured in by the promise of money and fame but can ultimately suffer from a lack of financial stability and independence.


Your A and R like see'n'are got many styles to suit ya
Labels often try to fit artists into specific molds that can stifle creativity and originality.


On a mission from God, to make the conscious souls nod
The artist's goal is to create thought-provoking music that resonates with listeners.


It's fate for rap to elevate
Hip-hop has the potential to grow and evolve into a respected genre that addresses important issues and inspires change.


You're goin, downtown to leave your mark on the biz
The artist is determined to make a name for themselves in the music industry.


Got verbals like murder, so call on Perry Mason
The artist's lyrics are powerful and impactful, like a criminal case that requires the help of a skilled lawyer.


Take control, don't be a fuckin fish on a pole
The artist urges others to take charge of their careers and not be passive, easily manipulated pawns in the industry.


We leave our mark for hip-hop's devastation
The artist wants to make a lasting impact on hip-hop as a powerful and socially conscious genre.


In our strive to stay alive for my record's elevation
The artist is determined to succeed and grow in the industry, but not at the cost of their integrity or values.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF, EVOL ALEXANDER, D'ANGELO SMITH, SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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