Initially known for producing tracks for hip-hop group Das Racist, such as their popular debut single "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", he became known as a solo artist with the release of his debut mixtape Dark York, released in April 2012. It's lead single, the 5kinAndBone5-produced "Wut" garnered attention as the standout track from the project and received a music video in June 2012.
In 2015, Diouf released his debut album Riot Boi through XL. The album featured contributions from SOPHIE, Junglepussy and Devonte Hynes (aka Blood Orange). In 2018, he released the EP Blue Dream.
Sup
LE1F Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm handling biz, man
Get it how you live, man
Ooh yeah, girl, rumspringa, rumspringa
When we come through watch how they linger
We ain't giving no cares, middle fingers, wassup?
Wassup, boy?
All these [?] get with it
These [?] assholes get lifted
I'm butter, watch me churn it up, what's up? (Wassup, wassup, wassup?)
What's up boy, what's up? (Wassup, wassup, wassup?)
What's up boy?
I was chilling in the cut
I winked at him once
Just to put butterflies up in his gut
Let me get at that tapioca bubble butt
I killed it, shut the casket, I don't give a fuck
Wha-wha-what the fuck is this?
A trickle down theory?
Ha, when I splash I make them [?] drown clearly, yup
I see me on the agenda
Serving it grande, venti, trenta
Skin color: spicy chai latte
Get some coffee, pop it like edamame
Ay, I'm feelin [?]
We actin' hella naughty by nature, it's a party
I don't take no teas to the fever
Little niggas soulburst, flow like ether
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Won't little swishers throw down like the G
They don't fuck with me cause I guarantee
I'll [?]
No, basic bitches don't fuck with me
Cause they realize that I'm from the NYC
He say what's the T/tea? Black
He's asking me about my zodi-ac
I'm like, "Ay bra, you don't know me like that"
But if you got the milk and honey, could be homies like that
Niggas know I'm the bee's knees
But they don't know about these teas
Earl Gray, all day, I'm real steep like loose leaf
I got them bridges burning all around me
You can't prevent forest fires when I'm sparking trees
I'm in that arboretum with Adam, Eve, and Steven
You wanna rub the apples?
Call me Johnny, I'm seedin'
He say he wanna flirt, he's sayin' that he's straight, though!
They say I'm gay as hell, I'm sellin' fruit for pesos!
In the song "Sup" by Le1f, the artist talks about living life carefree and in a state of rebellion to the norm. The lyrics say “Get it how you live, man” which is a stance on living life without restrictions. The artist uses the phrase “Rumspringa” which is a break period commonly taken by Amish youth to experience the outside world. The artist uses this phrase in the context of experiencing a new level of freedom. Le1f is also shown putting butterflies in someone's gut by flirting with them; essentially he is saying that he has the power to make people feel beautiful and seen, and that he is powerful enough to not care about the repercussions of his actions.
Le1f asserts his confidence in who he is and how he lives his life throughout the song. He describes himself as “spicy chai latte” affirming that he is proud of his heritage and that he refuses to be ashamed of it. He uses the term “loose leaf” to describe the fact that he is not one to be confined by societal constructs. Overall, the song is an anthem for those who have ever felt different, ostracized, or held back by society's standards and who choose to live their lives on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what it is, man
I am confident in my identity and what I bring to the table.
I'm handling biz, man
I am focused on my goals and taking care of my responsibilities.
Get it how you live, man
Do what you need to do to succeed, regardless of what others may think.
Ooh yeah, girl, rumspringa, rumspringa
We're letting loose and having fun, like during rumspringa in Amish culture.
When we come through watch how they linger
People are drawn to us because of our confidence and energy.
We ain't giving no cares, middle fingers, wassup?
We're living life on our terms without worrying about what others may think, and we're not afraid to show it.
All my [?] is livin'
All of my people are thriving and living their best lives.
All these [?] get with it
Everyone wants to be a part of what we're doing and enjoy the success we've achieved.
These [?] assholes get lifted
The people who doubted us or tried to bring us down are now envious of our success.
I'm butter, watch me churn it up, what's up? (Wassup, wassup, wassup?)
I am smooth and confident in what I'm doing, and I want to know what everyone else is up to.
What's up boy, what's up? (Wassup, wassup, wassup?)
I'm curious about what the other person is thinking or feeling.
I was chilling in the cut
I was hanging back and observing the situation.
I winked at him once
I flirted with him subtly to see how he would react.
Just to put butterflies up in his gut
I wanted to make him feel excited and nervous.
Let me get at that tapioca bubble butt
I am attracted to the person's physique and want to get closer to them.
I killed it, shut the casket, I don't give a fuck
I did what I needed to do and I'm proud of it, regardless of what others may think.
Wha-wha-what the fuck is this?
What is going on here? I wasn't expecting this.
A trickle down theory?
Is this a reference to trickle-down economics?
Ha, when I splash I make them [?] drown clearly, yup
I make a big impact and people are drawn to me.
I see me on the agenda
I am important and people are paying attention to me.
Serving it grande, venti, trenta
I am serving up big things and making a splash.
Skin color: spicy chai latte
My skin color is a beautiful and unique shade that reminds me of a spicy drink.
Get some coffee, pop it like edamame
Let's enjoy some coffee together like we would enjoy edamame beans.
Ay, I'm feelin [?]
I am feeling good and confident about what's going on.
We actin' hella naughty by nature, it's a party
We are having fun and enjoying ourselves in a wild, carefree way.
I don't take no teas to the fever
I'm not listening to or buying into anything negative or harmful.
Little niggas soulburst, flow like ether
Young artists are bursting onto the scene with inspired and creative work.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
I am light on my feet but still powerful and impactful.
Won't little swishers throw down like the G
I won't let minor objections or setbacks keep me down.
They don't fuck with me cause I guarantee
People don't mess with me because I know my worth and am confident in what I do.
I'll [?]
I am capable of achieving great things and making a big impact.
No, basic bitches don't fuck with me
People who aren't confident or creative don't understand or appreciate what I am doing.
Cause they realize that I'm from the NYC
People understand that I have a unique perspective and style that comes from my experience in New York City.
He say what's the T/tea? Black
He is asking me what's going on or what's the latest news, and I'm responding humorously with 'black tea.'
He's asking me about my zodi-ac
He is curious about my astrological sign.
I'm like, 'Ay bra, you don't know me like that'
I am playful but also distancing myself from someone who is overly familiar.
But if you got the milk and honey, could be homies like that
If you're someone who is friendly and genuine, we could be friends.
Niggas know I'm the bee's knees
People recognize that I am the best, the coolest, the most creative.
But they don't know about these teas
People don't understand the depth of my creativity or the unique perspective I bring to everything I do.
Earl Gray, all day, I'm real steep like loose leaf
I have the depth and complexity of a high-quality tea, specifically Earl Gray.
I got them bridges burning all around me
I am so powerful and influential that people are cutting off ties with me.
You can't prevent forest fires when I'm sparking trees
I am so intense and powerful that I inspire passion and excitement in people like a forest fire.
I'm in that arboretum with Adam, Eve, and Steven
I am in a place of great natural beauty and creativity, paralleling the biblical Garden of Eden.
You wanna rub the apples?
Do you want to partake in the creativity and innovation that's happening here?
Call me Johnny, I'm seedin'
I am planting the seeds of creativity and innovation that will grow into something powerful and beautiful.
He say he wanna flirt, he's sayin' that he's straight, though!
He is expressing interest, but also telling me that he is not interested in anything beyond straight friendship.
They say I'm gay as hell, I'm sellin' fruit for pesos!
People may stereotype me as gay, but I'm actually just living my life and making money in unique ways like selling fruit in Mexico.
Writer(s): Khalif Diouf, Harry Elvin Bornstein
Contributed by Elliot V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.