Hailing from Gary, Indiana, a place whose murder and crime rates have ranked it several times at the top of the "Most Dangerous Cities" list, Freddie Gibbs is the true definition of a street survivor. Raised on Gary's east side, Gibbs lived the hard life firsthand in a run-down industrial community plagued with vice and ignored by the establishment. After playing at Ball State on a football scholarship, Gibbs was kicked out of college. Over the next few years he went through court-ordered boot camp, joined and got discharged from the military, and held down a series of 9 to 5 jobs without success. Feeling like the system had failed him, Gibbs turned to hustling; pimping and selling crack out of a local house. Inspired by rappers like UGK, The Geto Boys, and 2Pac, Gibbs started rhyming about his life and the issues facing urban youth in Gary and the countless other impoverished cities just like it. Gibbs is the first rapper signed to a major label from Gary.
The Steel City's most famous musical residents to date are the Jackson 5, whose name still adorns a marquee on a falling-apart theater in Gary's blighted downtown. His desire to rep the Midwest and his city led Gibbs to start recording mixtapes and pushing them online as well as the streets, where he quickly began garnering fans drawn to his original style, diverse flows, and deeply personal lyrics about his experience as a young black man growing up below the poverty line in a forgotten American city.
Freddie has worked with respected producers like Madlib, Red Spyda, Just Blaze, Buckwild, the Alchemist, Polow Da Don, and Collipark among many others. Gibbs cites Houston rap and Pac as his major influences, and it shows in his ability to alternate between chillingly tense street stories of violence and laid back comedic tales about women and weed. Ultimately Gibbs shows and proves with his rhymes, which demonstrate the promise of a legend in the making. His skills, wit, and street credibility establish Freddie Gibbs as a true artist. He's ready to represent for Gary, the Midwest, and anyone who relates to the struggle of inner city life. As Gibbs tells it: "My music is definitely on some gangsta shit. That's what I was raised on and what I witnessed. How can I speak on anything else?" "Become a fan now, or become one later."
The Color Purple
Freddie Gibbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tokin' on some good green with a cup of purple
Tokin' on some good green with a cup of purple
Tokin' on some good green with a cup of purple
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
Man I know that you smoking
I know that you rolling
On that dirty sprite with ice, you know that good purple potion
I wrote this shit for my homies who checked out before me
I blow this doja, smoke away, 'cause every day we be on it
And you know it crack a seal, pop a pill
Now we rolling drop my top, grip the wheel
I'm slow motion stack a hundred dollar bills
I can't fold it, nah I can't fold it, yeah
And yo, I hope you know that I'm thuggin'
Hope you know that I'm rollin' dope
Styrofoams stay muddy, pourin' up 'til I overdose
Only smokin' on Woods
We don't fuck with them Swisher Sweets
Only mess with them body bitches
Them bougie bitches don't interest me
Hope she know she gon' get it
Hope she know she gon' give it up
Say she stay with a nigga
Hope she know I don't give a fuck
Know I stay with that pack
Sixteen of that 'thrax
Throw it up as we blow it up
And blow big dope in that 'Lac
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And I hope you know what's up
'Cause we smokin' purple up
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And I hope you know what's up
'Cause we smokin' purple up
Eyes hella red, got my thing from California
Stepped out LAX and got some more head in the Rover
She choose to do the usual with a pimp 'cause I was chosen
That purple pineapple fan and now my Styrofoam is golden
This one here for my niggas, promethazine sippers
The Sprite to the Ocean Spray, I ain't really trippin' on the mix, I'm with it
This one here for my niggas, Lord knows I love my niggas
Hoes down and the real G's up
I'mma pour another cup 'til I'm up there with ya
'Cause I know, I know, I know
And I know that you smoke
I know that you rolling
On that dirty sprite with ice, you know that good purple potion
I wrote this shit for my homies who checked out before me
I blow this doja, smoke away, 'cause every day we be on it
I said, I know that you smoke
I know that you rolling
On that dirty sprite with ice, you know that good purple potion
I wrote this shit for my homies who checked out before me
I blow this doja, smoke away 'cause every day we be on it
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And I hope you know what's up
'Cause we smokin' purple up
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And you know it, yeah
And I hope you know what's up
'Cause we smokin' purple up
"The Color Purple" by Freddie Gibbs touches on themes of drug use and the camaraderie among friends who indulge in substances together. The lyrics depict the act of smoking marijuana ("tokin' on some good green") while also consuming lean, a mixture of prescription cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine, and soda ("with a cup of purple"). The repeated chorus "And you know it" suggests a sense of confidence and pride in their chosen lifestyle, as well as a shared understanding among the group.
The verses delve deeper into the drug culture and Gibbs' personal experiences. He acknowledges that he is aware of his friends' drug habits, but instead of passing judgment, he embraces the lifestyle they have chosen. He mentions "dirty sprite with ice," referencing the popular combination of lean and ice (a slang term for methamphetamine) in a purple-colored drink. The reference to his homies who have passed away suggests the harsh reality of the consequences that drugs can bring, but he continues to use marijuana as a coping mechanism and sanctuary.
The lyrics also touch on the association between drug use and partying, with mentions of popping pills, driving fast (dropping the top and gripping the wheel), and stacking money. The reference to "smoking purple up" implies the continuous enjoyment of substances, emphasizing a commitment to this lifestyle. Ultimately, the song represents both a celebration and an acknowledgment of the consequences and dangers associated with drug use.
Line by Line Meaning
Tokin' on some good green with a cup of purple
I am smoking marijuana and drinking lean, a combination of codeine cough syrup and soda, to get high.
And you know it, yeah
Everyone is aware of my drug use and indulgence in this lifestyle.
Man I know that you smoking
I am aware that you also smoke marijuana.
I know that you rolling
I know that you also use drugs, especially ecstasy or similar party drugs.
On that dirty sprite with ice, you know that good purple potion
You consume codeine cough syrup mixed with soda and crushed ice, which is known as 'lean,' a popular drug in the purple drank scene.
I wrote this shit for my homies who checked out before me
I wrote this song as a tribute to my friends who have died prematurely, possibly from drug abuse.
I blow this doja, smoke away, 'cause every day we be on it
I smoke marijuana regularly, as it has become a daily part of our lives.
And yo, I hope you know that I'm thuggin'
I want you to understand that I am living a dangerous and criminal lifestyle.
Hope you know that I'm rollin' dope
I hope you recognize that I am constantly under the influence of drugs.
Styrofoams stay muddy, pourin' up 'til I overdose
I keep my Styrofoam cups filled with lean, and I continue to pour and consume it until I reach a dangerous level.
Only smokin' on Woods
I exclusively smoke marijuana rolled in a type of cigar called a 'Wood.'
We don't fuck with them Swisher Sweets
I don't like smoking marijuana rolled in Swisher Sweets, a popular brand of cigarillos.
Only mess with them body bitches
I only associate with attractive and sexually appealing women.
Them bougie bitches don't interest me
I am not attracted to or interested in high-maintenance and pretentious women.
Hope she know she gon' get it
I hope she understands that she will have sexual encounters with me.
Hope she know she gon' give it up
I hope she is aware that she will engage in sexual activities willingly.
Say she stay with a nigga
She claims to be in a committed relationship with another man.
Hope she know I don't give a fuck
I hope she realizes that I do not care about her relationship status, as I am only interested in sexual encounters.
Know I stay with that pack
I always have a supply of drugs, usually referring to marijuana.
Sixteen of that 'thrax
I have 16 ounces of 'Thrax,' a strain of high-quality marijuana.
Throw it up as we blow it up
As we smoke marijuana, we celebrate and have a good time.
And blow big dope in that 'Lac
We smoke large quantities of marijuana while driving in a Cadillac.
Eyes hella red, got my thing from California
My eyes are extremely red, likely due to being bloodshot from marijuana use, and I obtained the marijuana from California.
Stepped out LAX and got some more head in the Rover
As soon as I arrived in Los Angeles (LAX) airport, I received oral sex while in a Land Rover.
She choose to do the usual with a pimp 'cause I was chosen
She voluntarily engaged in typical activities associated with being a pimp's companion because she believed I was exceptional or special.
That purple pineapple fan and now my Styrofoam is golden
I prefer a strain of marijuana called 'purple pineapple,' and now my Styrofoam cup, commonly used for drinking lean, is highly valued or precious.
This one here for my niggas, promethazine sippers
This song is dedicated to my friends who consume promethazine, a key ingredient in lean.
The Sprite to the Ocean Spray, I ain't really trippin' on the mix, I'm with it
I am not concerned about the specific combination of ingredients in my lean, whether it includes Sprite or Ocean Spray, as long as I have it in my possession.
Hoes down and the real G's up
The women are submissive and obedient, while the true gangsters are in control or dominant.
I'mma pour another cup 'til I'm up there with ya
I will continue to drink lean until I reach the same level of intoxication or high as my deceased friends.
'Cause I know, I know, I know
Because I am fully aware or conscious of the dangers and risks associated with my lifestyle.
And you know it, yeah
Everyone acknowledges or recognizes this fact about me.
And I hope you know what's up
I want you to understand the reality or situation.
'Cause we smokin' purple up
Because we are consistently smoking high-quality marijuana.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Gibbs, Tone Mason
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Foxanne
you know it!
Kobe Berg
The most versatile in the game.
Judy Valdez
This version sounds way better than the last one I heard
TheRealg34
thanks for putting up the real one homie even though i bought the project couldnt find it on youtube. respect feeling this track from gibbs showing that range like Pac could.
THEKINGSLAPPA
The whole album is hot as lava.
Guadalupe Enriquez
Great song
Brian Nkoana
Why am I only hearing this lava today, HOLY SHIT, this is from 2013? The hip hop game stole a lot from this man and called it Trap
ILubBL
not rly future made some similar songs but w more autotune.... big krit also made some of these type songs but more introspective lyrics..... really originates with big moe (city of syrup 2000) and other houston artist (z-ro was featured on bfk). Also guessing this song in particular mostly inspired by drank in my cup by kirko bangz (also on bfk)
Black Liberation
This is from his group album esgn/ go back to bfk
Jose Torres
Dopeee c: