MTOMB
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yo, yeah

Pray for the people
I make up the easel first, then paint what I see through
The maze, I'm an eagle, spend a day up at the creek
We got the same amount of heat too, but they not as regal
Crudites not gon' cut it, cut it slight
Braids brought out my eyes
I saw a light, I was nine
Told my nigga Miles we might gon' be a'ight
Guess I was right, twenty-five was a quarter to life
I'm on it, I strike, trials
Tricknolog' you fond of, I don't even like
The socialite reformed, alone every night
Post-performance, dizzy in the corner, boy, it wasn't nice
Learnin' how to get grimy
Pick a pole to grab and flip
Ho, we gon' shake something now
I got some time this year
I'ma go ten rounds and dip out, what time is it?
Mommy water, shawty blew the fish out
Piscean just like my father, still got bones to pick out




For now let's salt the rims and pour a drink out
And sip (mmh)

Overall Meaning

In the Earl Sweatshirt feat. Liv.e song MTOMB, the lyrics start with the line β€œPray for the people,” which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Earl goes on to describe his creative process - he first creates the easel before painting what he sees through the maze. He compares himself to an eagle spending a day up at on a creek, and highlights his regality in comparison to those who have the same amount of heat as him. He dismisses the idea of relying on crudites, saying that they won’t cut it. He then mentions that wearing braids brought out his eyes and he saw the light when he was nine years old. This line suggests that Earl may have knocked off some of the layers of social conditioning and saw things more clearly at a young age.


Earl then goes on to talk about his journey, telling his friend Miles that they would be alright, which proves true as twenty-five was just a quarter to life for him. He boasts about his lyrical prowess and describes himself as a strike in trials. He then makes a dig at the socialite scene, saying that he is alone every night now, despite being reformed. He mentions post-performance dizziness, which wasn't nice; this might be a reference to the emotional toll performing takes on him. Earl references his street smarts and learning how to get grimy, picking a pole to grab and flip. He then mentions that they’re going to shake something now, a nod to creating something fresh and innovative. The lyrics end on a more relaxed note; Earl mentions pouring a drink and sipping, indicating a moment of relaxation after a long day or night of creating.


Line by Line Meaning

Pray for the people
Asking for good intentions, health and well-being for the people around the world.


I make up the easel first, then paint what I see through
Before creating any art, Earl is more focused on crafting his mental state and perception first.


The maze, I'm an eagle, spend a day up at the creek
Earl feels like an eagle in a maze where the creek represents the escape. He prefers to take time exploring the wilderness and feeding his spirit.


We got the same amount of heat too, but they not as regal
Although people may have the same energy, Earl sees himself as having a distinctive regal and royal quality that others may lack.


Crudites not gon' cut it, cut it slight
Earl is not satisfied with 'crudites,' and needs something more substantial or worthwhile.


Braids brought out my eyes
Earl's braids brought attention to his facial features, especially his eyes.


I saw a light, I was nine
At the age of nine, Earl experienced something illuminating, significant or life-changing.


Told my nigga Miles we might gon' be a'ight
Earl takes pride in uplifting and reassuring his friend Miles about their future success.


Guess I was right, twenty-five was a quarter to life
Earl's intuition and faith were correct about his future. Twenty-five years later, he realizes he's a quarter into his life, and contemplates his purpose.


I'm on it, I strike, trials
Earl is focused and prepared to face any challenges that come his way or to work hard in any given situation.


Tricknolog' you fond of, I don't even like
Earl dislikes 'tricknology' or any form of deceitful practices or manipulation.


The socialite reformed, alone every night
After adapting to the societal and public lifestyle, Earl values his solitude and alone time more than anything.


Post-performance, dizzy in the corner, boy, it wasn't nice
After a performance or an act, Earl dislikes the feeling of disorientation or unsteadiness.


Learnin' how to get grimy
Earl is trying to master or learn 'grimy' techniques or skills, which may include aggression or force.


Pick a pole to grab and flip
Earl chooses his targets with precision and conviction, and is confident in his ability to throw down or overpower.


Ho, we gon' shake something now
Earl has reached the moment for action or change and is determined to make something happen.


I got some time this year
Earl feels that he has ample time or opportunity for growth and discovery throughout the year.


I'ma go ten rounds and dip out, what time is it?
Earl determined to work hard and dedicate himself to his goal, rain or shine, for a certain period and then abruptly exit, without ever dwelling or looking back long.


Mommy water, shawty blew the fish out
For unknown reasons, Earl and his partner blew out a fish in the water.


Piscean just like my father, still got bones to pick out
Earl relates to his father who shares his Piscean symbol; also, he still has issues or problems that require addressing.


For now let's salt the rims and pour a drink out
Earl proposes a toast or cheer to celebrate the present moment or occasion.


And sip (mmh)
Earl ends the song with a symphony of sipping, indicating the celebration continues.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Daniel Alan Maman, James Mtume, Reggie Lucas, Tawatha Agee, Thebe Kgositsile

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tylerdurden7534

MTOMB.

Pray for the people
I make up the easelβ€…first,β€…then paint whatβ€…I see through
The maze, I'm anβ€…eagle, spend a day up at the creek
We got the same amount of heat too, but they not as regal
CruditΓ©s not gon' cut it, cut it slight
Braids brought out my eyes
I saw a light, I was nine
Told my nigga Miles we might gon' be aight
Guess I was right, twenty-five was a quarter to life
I'm on it, I strike, trials
Trick knowledge you fond of, I don't even like
The socialite reformed, alone every night
Post-performance, dizzy in the corner, boy, it wasn't nice
Learnin' how to get grimy
Pick a pole to grab and flip
Ho, we gon' shake something now
I got some time this year
I'ma go ten rounds and dip out, what time is it?
Mommy water, shawty blew the fish out
Piscean just like my father, still got bones to pick out
For now let's salt the rims and pour a drink out
And sip (Mmh)



All comments from YouTube:

@Sydicate

When alchemist is on production and earl on vocals you know it's going to hit

@jamesrichardson4663

Exactly

@-k-b-

Peanut butter and jelly Brodie

@Maynard0504

either Alchemist or BBNG

@Nonymous215

Alchemist gonna have to talk
to the nigga that made EAST and have long deep conversation with em

@JewishCowboy

@Non East is great bruh

13 More Replies...

@sammyjames9748

This man is literally perfecting short and impactful

@dave2.077

name me another man that can talk for a minute and change your life

@apollospyrol7168

@Brian Crink not really started at srs honestly

@rafibomb9526

Michael White just no

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