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.
Cocaine
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunshine no rain voice like the Pyrex
Pen is the projects i can do ad-libs
16 bar verse make the chorus stretch out
Numb my tongue verse licks
Went to New Zealand he-Man, I am
35, 000, 12, 000 get a nice verse
Damn I'm on the rise columbia high I vibe
Kilo what they call me i bring a lot of pain
To your local neighborhoods
And I play a lot of games
And the haters cop so you know
They say a lot of names
And I done see the picture so
I had to switch the frame
Then I had to switch my name lil B, Lil Boss
BasedGod, BasedLord 8uwin, Berkeley Boss
Cocaine is on my mind
And I'm not talking bout the dope
And I'm not glorying drugs I'm
Just saying that I'm coke cocaine
Real shit Lil B based God I'm cocaine
Waterfront West Berkley ya heard me
Hunnid thousand nigga hunnid million
Ya heard me
In Lil B's song "Cocaine," the lyrics convey a sense of confidence and power as the artist compares himself to the substance. The opening line, "Cocaine, I'll show you real cocaine," suggests that Lil B is about to demonstrate his own version of strength and intensity. He goes on to describe his voice as being like Pyrex, a glass material often associated with cooking and mixing drugs. This comparison implies that his words have a potent impact, just like the effects of cocaine.
The line "Pen is the projects, I can do ad-libs" suggests that Lil B's writing and artistic abilities come from a place of struggle and adversity, as if he's drawing inspiration from the challenges faced by those living in the projects. He also mentions his ability to stretch out a chorus, indicating that he knows how to make his music captivating and memorable.
As the lyrics progress, Lil B references his travels, the amount of money he earns for a verse, and his rising success in the music industry. He mentions casinos as symbols of his power and influence, highlighting his ability to play the game and come out on top. Lil B emphasizes his versatility by mentioning different names he goes by, indicating that he has various personas and styles.
It's important to note that Lil B is not glorifying drug use in this song, despite the repeated reference to cocaine. Instead, he uses the metaphor of cocaine to convey his own strength, influence, and ability to captivate his audience. The chorus, "And I'm not glorying drugs, I'm just saying that I'm coke cocaine," reinforces this message.
Line by Line Meaning
Cocaine i'll show you real cocaine
I will expose the true meaning and essence of cocaine
Sunshine no rain voice like the Pyrex
My voice is clear and pure like Pyrex, representing authenticity and transparency
Pen is the projects i can do ad-libs
My writing instrument represents the struggles and realities of the projects where I can add improvised elements
16 bar verse make the chorus stretch out
My 16-bar verse extends the chorus, giving it a longer presence and impact
Numb my tongue verse licks
My verses are so powerful, they leave a lasting impression and make my tongue feel numb
Went to New Zealand he-Man, I am
I traveled to New Zealand and embraced my confident, strong persona like He-Man
35, 000, 12, 000 get a nice verse
For a substantial payment, I will deliver a high-quality verse
Damn I'm on the rise columbia high I vibe
I am experiencing success and growth, resembling the heights of the Columbia space shuttle
Damn I see casinos that represents my power
When I see casinos, it symbolizes my influence and dominance
Kilo what they call me i bring a lot of pain
People refer to me as Kilo because I bring a great deal of emotional and artistic intensity
To your local neighborhoods
My impact extends to the communities and neighborhoods where my music is heard
And I play a lot of games
I engage in various strategies and tactics to navigate the music industry
And the haters cop so you know
My detractors often imitate my style, indicating their envy and desire to emulate me
They say a lot of names
My critics label me with different names and identities, attempting to diminish my significance
And I done see the picture so
I have gained insight and understanding of the bigger picture
I had to switch the frame
To adapt and progress, I had to change my perspective and approach
Then I had to switch my name lil B, Lil Boss
As part of my evolution, I changed my name to Lil B and Lil Boss
BasedGod, BasedLord 8uwin, Berkeley Boss
I am known as BasedGod, BasedLord, 8uwin, and Berkeley Boss, each representing different aspects of my identity and artistic expression
Cocaine is on my mind
Cocaine symbolizes my thoughts and mindset
And I'm not talking bout the dope
I am not referring to the drug, but rather using it metaphorically
And I'm not glorying drugs I'm
I am not celebrating or glamorizing drugs, but emphasizing my influence and impact
Just saying that I'm coke cocaine
I am comparing myself and my artistic presence to the power and effect of cocaine
Real shit Lil B based God I'm cocaine
I am authentically representing myself as Lil B, the Based God, who possesses the intensity and influence of cocaine
Waterfront West Berkley ya heard me
I am from the Waterfront West Berkeley area and want you to understand and acknowledge it
Hunnid thousand nigga hunnid million
I am worth a hundred thousand dollars, nay, a hundred million dollars
Ya heard me
Do you understand and acknowledge what I am expressing?
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LOFI 6ESUS
This is still my favorite Lil B song for 5 years straight now. It relaxes me every time.
Ray Charles
@D Rog he still does but its very rare , you'd have to go through his music to find more "serious" gems but he still drops them
Gemcityvintage
Dylan Rogers those 2 years are the major influence as to what's going on today. lil b was ahead of his time .
D Rog
+BasedGodJared lil b put out some absolute classics in 2009/2010
Melvin Holland III
My Bride will walk down the aisle to this in our wedding while I have tears of joy THANK YOU BASEDGOD!
jackdylan
this is so crazy...i feel a wave passing through my body. a wave of positivity. thank you Lil B for blessing my ears.
1Million Eyes
I wish we can get this Lil B back. This song was the truth.
Carter !
one of the best rap songs ever
Rosco West
Yes indeed
Greg Gilchrist
lil b says we deserve the best, and i believe him.