Sleep Deprived
Dreamville & J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, hey, hey, uh
I met this girl the other day that wanna know my story
She said since the world against me, she all for me
I told her God must've overheard my hopeful wish
And crazy how I never would've thought to be in this position
'Cause see hip-hop saved my life is such a cliché quote
Signed my first deal off the realest shit I wrote
I told my city I'm the closest thing to hope
Used to be barely above water, now I float
Same bitches in my DM's used to take me for a joke
Niggas talk crow, shit behind my back and then call me bro
Like bro, you gotta match one before you blow
I always leave the message on seen 'cause I don't smoke
When really I don't fuck with half these niggas on the low
And that's just how it go
She go, "Damn, nigga, that's deep," I know, tell me about it
My life be full of stress, fake niggas, and sleep deprivin' like uh
Dreams, all my shit been colossal though
Used to be honor roll, now it's foreign whips I'm riding on
Now everything I flow hot as fuck, I mean poblano though
Me and Lute 'posed to been did this shit, it's perfect timing though
Remember us being younger, talking about gettin' signed to Cole?
I was so hot-headed then, I'm a lot calmer though
Tryna buy me a brick house when I get comma though
Money gon' help with a lot of things but not the trauma though
Had so many adventure times, we used to run from the Jakes
To make it for Southside, we do whatever it takes
It was apartheid when my barber parted my fade
'Cause now I'm pulled left and right by Keshia and Adrinae
All this shit gets so deep, man, I'm hoping y'all dive in
I don't fuck with surviving, I'm only thinkin' 'bout thriving
But you way too afraid, yeah, I know what your vibe is
Always worried 'bout me, that shit must be sleep depriving
That shit must be sleep depriving
I ain't never had nothin', yeah, I had to work for it
Prayed to God every day, even went to church for it
Built from the ground up, played in the dirt for it
God told me it would work out, I took his word for it
We all come from a very different path
Look at what we been through, look at where we at
Got 'em losing sleep worried 'bout what we on
Said I wouldn't make it but I always prove wrong, yeah
Yeah
Turn into a big deal, but way realer than Black Friday
They let a visionary vibrate
Hoppin' through the Tri-State
I got this bird box simply off a blind date
Now I'm in a tryin' state
Turn into a horror story
Broke my heart to the point I had to find tape
Spraying Lysol, sage, just to wipe her away like Eternal Sunshine
Pulled up in a drop spot like some summer times
Seen you with some other guy, long story, summarize
Writing on the wall, got your message under mine
I been gettin' high, summer crime, ever since
Wonder why ill intent was inside of your skin, but damn
Dookie braids, droopy eyes, it was groupie love
Hurt feelings, no cap like bougie clubs
Sat alone deep in silence
Thinkin' 'bout you gettin' sleep deprivin', yeah
I ain't never had nothin', yeah, I had to work for it
Prayed to God every day, even went to church for it
Built from the ground up, played in the dirt for it
God told me it would work out, I took his word for it
We all come from a very different path
Look at what we been through, look at where we at
Got 'em losing sleep worried 'bout what we on
Said I wouldn't make it but I always prove wrong, yeah
The song Sleep Deprived by Dreamville features JID, Lute, Mez, and DaVionne. The song is an ode to their past struggles in life and their respective paths to success. The lyrics demonstrate their rise to fame and the sacrifices they had to make to get where they are today. The song begins with JID talking about meeting a girl who is interested in his story. He speaks on how hip-hop saved his life and brought him from poverty to prosperity. The hook, "That shit must be sleep depriving" suggests that the haters are so consumed with jealousy and envy that they cannot sleep at night.
The rest of the verses describe different scenarios of their journey, from the struggles of getting signed, to the pain of heartbreak, and the sacrifices they had to make for their success. The line "Money gon' help with a lot of things but not the trauma though" highlights the fact that no matter how successful they become, they cannot escape their past traumas.
The song Sleep Deprived is a good example of Dreamville's storytelling style. The group's focus on lyrics and storytelling is one of the things that differentiates them from other rap collectives. The song is also notable for featuring some of the most talented rising stars in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I met this girl the other day that wanna know my story
The singer recently met someone who was interested in hearing about his life.
She said since the world against me, she all for me
The girl expressed her support for the singer despite the odds being against him.
I told her God must've overheard my hopeful wish
The singer believes his positive mindset and hard work have been rewarded by a higher power.
'Cause see hip-hop saved my life is such a cliché quote
The artist acknowledges that the idea of hip-hop saving his life is an overused statement.
But before I grabbed the mic, I was the poster-child of broke, uh
The artist was once financially struggling before pursuing a career in hip-hop.
Signed my first deal off the realest shit I wrote
The singer's first record deal was based on his genuine and authentic lyrics.
I told my city I'm the closest thing to hope
The singer considers himself a symbol of hope for his hometown.
Used to be barely above water, now I float
The artist has gone from barely surviving to thriving.
Same bitches in my DM's used to take me for a joke
People who once doubted the artist's talent are now trying to get his attention.
When really I don't fuck with half these niggas on the low
The artist does not associate with certain people in his industry, but keeps it lowkey.
I always leave the message on seen 'cause I don't smoke
The singer does not engage in drama or negative interactions.
She go, 'Damn, nigga, that's deep,' I know, tell me about it
The girl's reaction to the artist's life story was deep and meaningful.
My life be full of stress, fake niggas, and sleep deprivin' like uh
The singer's life is filled with stress, fake people, and lack of sleep.
Used to be honor roll, now it's foreign whips I'm riding on
The singer's past academic success has now been replaced by his material possessions.
All this shit gets so deep, man, I'm hoping y'all dive in
The singer hopes listeners will truly understand the depth of his lyrics.
Money gon' help with a lot of things but not the trauma though
The artist acknowledges that money cannot heal emotional wounds or past traumatic experiences.
Had so many adventure times, we used to run from the Jakes
The artist and his friends have had many dangerous and exciting experiences, including running from the police.
Sat alone deep in silence
The singer feels isolated and alone despite his success.
Thinkin' 'bout you gettin' sleep deprivin', yeah
The singer reflects on the fact that certain people are losing sleep over his success.
We all come from a very different path
The artist acknowledges that everyone has their own unique journey in life.
Got 'em losing sleep worried 'bout what we on
The artist's accomplishments and success are causing others to worry and lose sleep.
Said I wouldn't make it but I always prove wrong, yeah
Despite facing doubts and criticisms, the artist has consistently proven his detractors wrong.
Lyrics © OLADOTUN OYEBADEJO, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cameron Osteen, Damon Coleman, Davionne Starks, Jarrett Goodly, Jay Oyebadejo, Juro Davis, Kaleb Nathan Rollins, Kedrick Cannady, Luther Nicholson, Marc Soto, Morris Ricks, Ronald Gilmore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rmando_
I know y’all want a Wells Fargo video but I want the rest of the tracks that weren’t put on the album 🙏🏻
@wmcroy3306
Good luck with that request lol
@lifttreesup
Armando A the year isnt over yet
@alfredomata5445
Facts
@some-mfnamed-jordan1947
FOR REAL
@steven161183
Deluxe edition drops soon.
@okbutwhocares
No one's gonna talk about how that beat is a pure gem? Shit sounds old school and gives that lo-fi vibe, the drums are perfect for the melody, I fucking love it
@geedusa
Definitely makes me tingly all over 😍😍
@amberselders2187
I know it's like the perfect beat for me😄
@kenkewagamang5110
Mmmh on point