When Lil B titled his last digital label released mixtape I'm Gay, he received several death threats. Although he is heterosexual, he says the title is a message of support to the LGBT community. Referring to the alternative definition of gay, he says he is gay because he is happy. Following the death threats, he added "I'm Happy" in parenthesis to the album's title. I'm Gay received positive reviews with many fans commenting on the album's wide variety of positive messages and noting the unique beats and lyrical styles not common to mainstream hip hop. He raps about many controversial issues including race relations, poverty, humanity, and the justice system. The album also, according to many fans, shows the "true" side of Lil B. It entered the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #56 and the Heatseekers Albums chart at #20 for the week of July 16, 2011. It is for sale on iTunes but Lil B also uploaded it to the Internet for free, posting a link to it on Twitter and Facebook saying, "for all my fans who don't have $10 to buy my album, here it is for free."
Lil B typically releases at least one mixtape every month; so far in 2012 he has released 13 mixtapes - 4 in July alone. One of those released in July was the massive 848-song, nearly 5GB collection of Based Freestyles, which is his largest release to date. In 2013, hip-hop listeners voted Lil B as the greatest rapper of all time.
Broken Levee
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas startin shit but the game fake, god line
Move away your game, even think straight
These last niggas getting stole off the same tapes
I don’t trade for it, ridin down the interstate
Tryna get my life right, hustling for a better day
Niggas don’t start because I’m working for a better space
Screwing the hood and them niggas, like to instigate
Your movie chill cuz I’m on a different mind state
One thing at a time mate, fucking on my mind great
I’mma hold the christinal emotional usage
Niggas play against you til they see they can’t beat you
When I play charge, couldn’t see me when I’m with you
Lady I’m the ghetto, the bottom of the bad
Theys die from methylamine, that shit is soaked heavy, doked in heavy
Why you gotta lie if it jungle where your cellie at?
Somebody left behind is no thriller to any
Niggas fall back on me like you really got my back
Niggas lying, I could go to the head for that
In my young nigga game it’s no looking back
Don’t sleep with the rats, I only fuck the cats
Lions in the jungle, I was with those facts
Niggas scared of the hood, how you gon move back?
Cuz they didn’t wanna lie, where you gonna trust now in the capital tires (capital tires)
Everybody going down when that water rise
I’m tryna stay safe and opened up my eyes
I’ll be tryna tell the truth so everybody don’t lie
You’ll be out for yourself like losing them dykes
You gotta reach off the line, gotta reach off the hood
Niggas been here at my back, I’m just looking for good
Niggas lyin down the street and I’m grippin that wood
I fuck with the hood and I’m keepin that job
Cuz you ass niggas told me I would never even make it
Crack was tryna hold me back, that’s why I’d go so crazy
I do this for the world, that’s why I love you all
When the water come make sure that the rivers don’t fall
Shtt, this real water
He don’t breathe
I’m in the water
In Lil B's song, Broken Levee, the artist talks about the struggles he has faced and continues to face, in the hood. He begins by noting that he is content with his small world and does not plan to leave it despite the fakeness and the conflicts in the game. Lil B acknowledges the prevalence of unscrupulous people in the game and the need to be cautious around them. He also highlights that these people, most of whom have consumed pre-existing content, continue to rob the same ideas and expressions with little regard for creativity.
Lil B then discusses his hustling life and his continuous pursuit of a better existence. He knows that he needs to keep his head straight, work hard, and avoid unnecessary drama from people in the hood who seek to instigate conflicts. Lil B also recognizes that he is on a different mental plane than most people in his hood, and that in order to truly advance, he must think outside of the box. The artist then speaks of a struggle for survival in a hostile environment where only the fittest survive. The theme continues to thrive as he acknowledges how it is incredibly challenging to succeed when people around you are unreliable and frequently lie to your face to get ahead. He concludes by stating that when the water comes (perhaps a metaphor for trouble), it is vital to keep the rivers from falling, which could mean averting a potential disaster.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s a little world, I’mma stay in the same place
I prefer to stay in my small world rather than trying to navigate the complexities of the bigger world
Niggas startin shit but the game fake, god line
People are pretending to be something they're not, and it's creating unnecessary drama
Move away your game, even think straight
Stop playing games and start thinking clearly
These last niggas getting stole off the same tapes
People are stealing ideas and copying each other instead of coming up with their own original content
I don’t trade for it, ridin down the interstate
I don't compromise my values just to get ahead, even if it means taking the longer road
Tryna get my life right, hustling for a better day
I'm working hard to improve my life and create a brighter future
Niggas don’t start because I’m working for a better space
People shouldn't start trouble with me because I'm too focused on making progress and moving forward
Screwing the hood and them niggas, like to instigate
I'm ignoring the negativity and drama from people in my community who like to stir up trouble
Gotta get my mind right, see the kind every day
I need to maintain a positive mindset and surround myself with positivity in order to succeed
Your movie chill cuz I’m on a different mind state
I'm not interested in drama, I'm focused on my own goals and have a different perspective than others
One thing at a time mate, fucking on my mind great
I'm taking things one step at a time and focusing on my goals, which is a great feeling
I’mma hold the christinal emotional usage
I'm going to hold onto my faith and use my emotions in a productive way
Niggas play against you til they see they can’t beat you
People will try to bring you down until they realize they can't succeed in doing so
When I play charge, couldn’t see me when I’m with you
When I take charge and assert myself, others can't compete or undermine me
Lady I’m the ghetto, the bottom of the bad
I come from a tough background and have experienced hardship
Theys die from methylamine, that shit is soaked heavy, doked in heavy
People are dying from drug abuse, which is a heavy and sad reality
Why you gotta lie if it jungle where your cellie at?
Why bring unnecessary drama and deception when you're already in a difficult situation?
Somebody left behind is no thriller to any
It's not a surprising or exciting outcome when someone is left behind or left out
Niggas fall back on me like you really got my back
People act like they have my best interests at heart, but ultimately they're not dependable when it counts
Niggas lying, I could go to the head for that
People are lying and I could confront them and escalate the situation if I wanted to
In my young nigga game it’s no looking back
I'm focused on moving forward and not dwelling on the past
Don’t sleep with the rats, I only fuck the cats
I avoid aligning myself with untrustworthy or dangerous people, and only associate with those I can rely on
Lions in the jungle, I was with those facts
I've been in tough situations and am not afraid to confront challenges head-on
Niggas scared of the hood, how you gon move back?
People are scared of the danger and negativity in the community, and wonder how anyone can stay or return there
Cuz they didn’t wanna lie, where you gonna trust now in the capital tires (capital tires)
Because people didn't want to be honest, it's difficult to trust anyone in dangerous situations where anything can happen
Everybody going down when that water rise
Everyone is affected when disaster strikes
I’m tryna stay safe and opened up my eyes
I'm trying to protect myself and stay aware of potential dangers
I’ll be tryna tell the truth so everybody don’t lie
I try to be honest and straightforward to encourage others to be the same
You’ll be out for yourself like losing them dykes
People prioritize themselves over others, even if it means someone else loses in the process
You gotta reach off the line, gotta reach off the hood
You have to venture out and explore beyond your comfort zone to succeed
Niggas been here at my back, I’m just looking for good
People have supported me in the past, but I'm still searching for something better
Niggas lyin down the street and I’m grippin that wood
There are dangerous people and situations nearby, and I'm ready to defend myself if necessary
I fuck with the hood and I’m keepin that job
I'm still connected to and invested in my community, but also trying to better myself
Cuz you ass niggas told me I would never even make it
People doubted my abilities and dismissed my potential for success
Crack was tryna hold me back, that’s why I’d go so crazy
External factors like drug addiction were obstacles in my path, and caused me to act out and struggle
I do this for the world, that’s why I love you all
I'm motivated to create positive change and help others, which is why I'm passionate about what I do
When the water come make sure that the rivers don’t fall
Stay strong and resilient in the face of adversity, and don't let hardship defeat you
Shtt, this real water
This is a serious and challenging situation
He don’t breathe
He's not taking the situation seriously or isn't prepared to handle it
I’m in the water
I'm in the same tough situation, but I'm taking it seriously and trying to stay afloat
Contributed by Kaylee T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.