Ivan “Bread ‘n’ Water” Paniagua, born January 12th, 1996 in California in t… Read Full Bio ↴Ivan “Bread ‘n’ Water” Paniagua, born January 12th, 1996 in California in the San Francisco Bay Area, became part in the rap scene while in high school. His first mixtape, “The Pursuit” was released in 2014 and soon followed other albums such as “Finding Better Places” in 2015 and “Layers of Reflection” in 2016.

"I started making music because I needed too. Music is not only a passion but my life’s purpose, and if there is any way to find who I am, it’s through this music. I want to change the way people perceive their lives and reach for higher goals. I believe the only things that hold us back are the limits we create. I pour my pain and frustrations into what I write to break those limits, to show you that nothing remains in darkness and anything can be reached. You are what you believe you are so why not be great? Nothing comes easy but I have faith in God and in myself. You just have to be brave every day." - Ivan B

Bruce Lee
Ivan B Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Intro: Bruce Lee)
I said, "Empty your mind"

Yeah, yeah
Let me get the mic and set it straight
All your bars are paperweight
Been generating classics
Hittin' like kamehameha waves

Feelin' the feelin' we're at
Don't wanna hurt your feelings
'Cause this shit is too the moon
And you won't even patch the ceiling
Can you feel it?
'Cause all you biting rappers are just gimmicks
But my flow is like a navy ship
You're like a Honda Civic
Gotta get it
Bettin' native no tellin' where I'm spreading
'Cause no night con could capture where I'm headed
Gotta' harder drivin' PCs
Hybrid of many species
All these rappers say there next
When it's just bass mixed with feces
Addicted to this work until my throat is sore and weak
But I can tell its coming soon, 'cause I've been staring at the peak
It's time to eat
Ramen is just really second nature
Disintegrate the greats with just a single sheet of paper
Catching a buzz like a swattin' ass and b's
I'm on my game and I won't freeze
Feel it coming a strong breeze

(Bruce Lee)
"When I look around, I always learn something and that is to be always yourself. And to express yourself. To have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it..."

I'm a mechanical animal eatin' rappers a cannibal
Killin' beats so practical
Shootin' bars on a catapult
So radical
They used to say that I just sound so basic
I was so utterly hated
And now they just think I'm a make it
I ain't playin' these games
I got my team on my side
I don't need a transformer to show that I'm in my prime
Always out of my mind and I don't know how I'm alive
I get like five hours of sleep for every week that I write
See this is brain food
Same dude
Hella rude
I came too
Make your hottest verse sound like you just came out of grade school
Every line I'm just speakin' the truth
Go get a couple of pens and then you can see it go loose
I'm making impossible possible
Turnin' maybes to probables
Philosophical mind I put it down in the rhymes
Walking down the street I'm always lookin' for signs
Yeah born a 96' I've been ahead of my time
Yeah

(Bruce Lee)
"But if you do not have a style, if you just say: Well, here I am as a human being, how can I express myself totally and completely? Now, that way you won't create a style, because style is a crystallization. That way, it's a process of continuing growth."

Yeah
This is it
Now it's just time to go and get it
My blood sweat and tears in the mic I'm embedded
Read the next and they dread it
So now they just give me the credit
'Cause they said it couldn't happen, now the music is spreadin'
Now I'm livin' the life
Like a king but a pawn (or) upon
'Cause no one is below me
But just know that I'm on
'Cause the future is comin'
So no more duckin' and runnin'
Yet now it's time to be somethin'
So we just gotta be huntin'
For that revenue
We're stayin' true
'Cause this is what I came to do
Started with a vision
Now I see it and it's incredible
I'm just tryin' to be one of the best in my lane
Yet every second I'm gettin' better
So you better know the name
Just to drag in on the mic
While I'm spewing this flame
They try to drown me in hate
But they didn't know that I'm the drain
Replicated Hiroshima the day that I stepped in the game
This whole thing is just a staircase one step closer to fame

(Bruce Lee)
"Like they always copy mannerism, but they never start from the very root of his being and that is, how can I be me?"

See I'm close to a vision that not many thought wouldn't happen
Was trapped inside the mind while everybody was laughin'
I spill my heart on every page
While these lyrics were stackin'
I put years into this craft
Now everybody is clappin'
I see it
It's comin'
Like an incomin' collision it's my mission to give you music that is deeper than the deepest incisions
So listen now
'Cause something got lost it
But I swear if you got a decent flow they say you sound like Logic
But there's money in these line and I'm a make a deposit
Look
The next to come up

Like I woke the sun up
How can you be number one when I always one up?

Overall Meaning

The song "Bruce Lee" by Ivan B starts off with a sound clip from the legendary Bruce Lee himself, where he encourages listeners to always be themselves and not try to copy successful personalities. The song then delves into a rap discussing what sets Ivan B apart from other rappers. He talks about his passion for music and how he puts years into his craft, unlike other musicians who only generate hits for the moment. He takes a few shots at other rappers claiming that they sound basic or like gimmicks. Ivan B talks about his creative approach to writing, how he puts his own spin on things, and how he always stays true to himself. Overall, the song is about Ivan B's road to success and how he overcame the obstacles in his path.

The song's title is a nod to the martial artist Bruce Lee, who Ivan B references with sound clips, particularly to reinforce his message of authenticity. Bruce Lee has always been known for his philosophy on martial arts, and that philosophy translates well to any field of life where there is competition. The song highlights Ivan B's boldness of stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing his authenticity which helped him stand out in the music field. The rap artist also references some historical events in the song by replicating Hiroshima, talking about a staircase one step closer to fame, and making music that goes deeper than the deepest incisions.

Line by Line Meaning

I said, "Empty your mind"
Let go of all your preconceived notions and judgments, approach this with an open mind.

All your bars are paperweight
Your rap verses do not have enough substance or weight and are easily forgettable.

Feelin' the feelin' we're at Don't wanna hurt your feelings 'Cause this shit is too the moon And you won't even patch the ceiling Can you feel it?
The energy and vibe of the music is at an all-time high but I don't want to bring anyone down, even though the level is so high that it's beyond anyone's capacity to reach it.

'Cause all you biting rappers are just gimmicks
Other rappers are only copying a style without any originality or creativity, just to gain attention.

But my flow is like a navy ship You're like a Honda Civic
My flow is powerful and strong like a battleship while other rappers are weak and small like a Honda Civic car in comparison.

Gotta get it Bettin' native no tellin' where I'm spreading 'Cause no night con could capture where I'm headed
I have to achieve success, and I'm working it out. With no limitations, as I'm spreading my music to the world, my future is uncertain.

Gotta' harder drivin' PCs Hybrid of many species
My work ethic is more efficient than a computer, and I am a mixture of various musical talents and skills.

Addicted to this work until my throat is sore and weak But I can tell its coming soon, 'cause I've been staring at the peak
I'm genuinely passionate about my work, and I've been working so hard that my throat is tired. However, I know success is coming soon because I can feel it.

Catching a buzz like a swattin' ass and b's I'm on my game and I won't freeze Feel it coming a strong breeze
My success is spreading like a swarm of insects, and I'm enjoying it. Even when under pressure, I'm performing at my best without freezing up. Success is coming quickly and surely like a gust of wind.

I'm a mechanical animal eatin' rappers a cannibal Killin' beats so practical Shootin' bars on a catapult So radical
I'm a fierce, powerful performer who devours and outpaces other rappers, spitting out verses consistently, and doing it in a manner that is unique and thrilling.

I was so utterly hated And now they just think I'm a make it
People initially did not like my music, but now they see my potential to be a famous artist and are starting to support me.

Like a king but a pawn (or) upon 'Cause no one is below me But just know that I'm on 'Cause the future is comin'
I'm currently at a higher level in my career, but I'm mindful that the future is unpredictable and am always ready to face new challenges.

Replicated Hiroshima the day that I stepped in the game This whole thing is just a staircase one step closer to fame
I made a significant impact using my talent in the music industry right from the start of my career, and every move I take goes towards building a bigger platform to gain fame.

I put years into this craft Now everybody is clappin' I see it It's comin'
I've been working for a long time to perfect my musical style, and now people are starting to recognize my contribution to the industry. I know success is coming my way!

So listen now 'Cause something got lost it But I swear if you got a decent flow they say you sound like Logic
Pay attention because something went missing in the music industry. However, if you have a good flow, people only compare you to other famous artists like Logic.

But there's money in these line and I'm a make a deposit Look The next to come up Like I woke the sun up
My verses have the potential to make me rich, and I'm fully driven to achieve it. I'm the next big thing, rising like the sun and taking the industry by storm.

How can you be number one when I always one up?
To be the best, you need to exceed the current number one. And, I consistently surpass every other rapper, making me better than them.

Contributed by Audrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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