Lil Jimmy
Kanye West Lyrics


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Hey, Jimmy, where you going?
I don't know where I'm going
My dad died, and uh, he left me his degrees
My mom would always say, "Dad, why don't you work?"
But he just kept learning
All the other kids parents were working and saving up money for school
And I was actually in school all while my dad was in school
He even, he was so greedy with degrees, he took my degree
And now I'm just glad he left me these
Because all the regular homeless people have newspaper, and look what I have
These are documented
My father left them to me
And I'm gonna leave them to my kids
I'm gonna learn too
I'm gonna get super smart, so I too can die without money





But I'll be the smartest dead guy
Who has that?

Overall Meaning

Hey Jimmy where you going?" is a refrain that appears throughout Kanye West's song "Lil Jimmy". In this song, Kanye is telling the story of a young boy, Jimmy, who has been left behind after his father's passing. The main theme of this song is generational wealth, and the importance of education and learning. This is seen through Jimmy's father's love for education and his desire to pass it down to Jimmy.


Jimmy's father was a man who was obsessed with earning as many degrees as possible. He left all of his degrees to Jimmy, and this gift inspired Jimmy to continue learning and striving for knowledge. Jimmy recognizes that he has inherited something special, something that very few others have, and he vows to pass it down to his children. He knows that education is the key to creating generational wealth and that he wants to leave behind a legacy that will continue beyond him.


The final line, "But I'll be the smartest dead guy. Who has that?" emphasizes the importance of this generational wealth. Even after death, Jimmy's education will be his legacy, and it will continue to enrich his children's lives. Kanye is making a statement about the power of education and the importance of investing in our children's futures.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, Jimmy, where you going?
The singer addresses a friend, prompting an inquiry about his life direction.


I don't know where I'm going
Jimmy expresses uncertainty about his path in life, reflecting confusion or indecision.


My dad died, and uh, he left me his degrees
The singer reveals that his father has passed away, leaving behind his academic achievements as a legacy.


My mom would always say, 'Dad, why don't you work?'
The artist recalls his mother's frustration with the father’s choice to prioritize education over traditional employment.


But he just kept learning
Despite the mother's concerns, the father remained committed to acquiring knowledge.


All the other kids' parents were working and saving up money for school
The contrast is drawn between Jimmy's family situation and that of his peers, whose parents focused on financial stability.


And I was actually in school all while my dad was in school
The singer shares that both he and his father pursued education simultaneously, highlighting their shared commitment to learning.


He even, he was so greedy with degrees, he took my degree
The artist humorously notes that his father valued his own achievements to the extent of claiming his son's educational accolades.


And now I'm just glad he left me these
In spite of the humor, the artist feels a sense of gratitude for inheriting his father's degrees.


Because all the regular homeless people have newspaper, and look what I have
The artist contrasts his situation with that of typical homeless individuals, emphasizing the value of his inherited knowledge.


These are documented
The qualifications and degrees are formally recognized, elevating their significance beyond mere paper.


My father left them to me
The artist asserts that these degrees are a treasured inheritance from his late father.


And I'm gonna leave them to my kids
The singer expresses intent to pass on the legacy of education to the next generation.


I'm gonna learn too
He commits to continuing his own education as part of this legacy.


I'm gonna get super smart, so I too can die without money
The singer humorously resolves to become highly educated even if it doesn't lead to financial wealth.


But I'll be the smartest dead guy
In a surreal twist, he concludes that he would prefer to be remembered for his intelligence rather than his material success.


Who has that?
The rhetorical question challenges the listener to consider who else shares this unusual situation of valuing knowledge over wealth.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kanye West

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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