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.
Ghetto Dreams
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something like Hannibal Lector,
Coming through these section
All wrecking, I could wreck it before
All these niggers want to catch a body
Now they sitting in jail
Force hell and they say that the prison is a war
Nigger slip through the falls
How you gonna see with no glasses
Boy your vision ain't straight, when you in the church
And you steal from the place
That ain't cool, that [?] just a symbol
Officers pull me over, I am not in a rental
A lot of dudes look like me, you drug dealers and pimping
I beat the odds, most won't beat the charge
Trying to fall back as I think
They still stuck in they ways
Ace couldn't even make the change
They just mad at the world
Same old story, niggers flashing on girls
Get your life together, this world, for real
I stay on try angle, all [?]
My new brand looking awesome
In my mind I'm flossing, take a piece of real to eat
And I don't ever sleep, till I touch the world with rapping and action
For a [?] boy, I move back and I lock
I'm on top giving face, give me your fucking [?]
Man I gotta be the realest ever hands down, hands up
He no bounce back from [?] felonies
You do that now and you doing life I can say that now
No trusting the game, most thieves is busters [?]
Don't be no sucker, you better be
Quick decisions, fall back one time
Y'all gotta prove nothing, just prove you're smart
I'm a push that hard line, I'm a wear regardless
Feel like a real don, keep it on
Never floss to my family, always keeping silent
Before I rock too steady, blocks is heavy
Got a bird on my back and it ain't dropped already
Got a bird in my house and I keeps it ready
Ain't talking about food I make it [?] spaghetti
Ain't trying to be rude but you niggers is lame
Got a pistol on my arm, I take your ass on a date, bitch
Man I gotta be the realest ever hands down, hands up
The lyrics of Lil B’s song “Ghetto Dreams” critique the persistent violence, poverty and criminal activity in poverty-stricken ghettos. The lines “Handle these niggers with handles / Something like Hannibal Lector” create a chilling simile that suggests that the singers in the verse are as dangerous as the infamous cannibal from The Silence of the Lambs film. The lyrics present a cycle of criminal behavior, wherein young people use violence as a means of self-protection, which only ends up putting them behind bars, forcing them to experience the “war” that is prison. Lil B calls for these individuals to get their “life together,” showing his belief that anyone can rise above the circumstances they were born in, but it requires a concerted effort to make a change.
Throughout the song, Lil B tells his own story of overcoming the odds, and “hitting the top” through his music. He also offers guidance for other young people to learn from his example, to not make quick or hasty decisions that could land them in jail. The lyrics are raw, poignant and powerful, illustrating how the choices people make can either perpetuate or break a cycle of poverty and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Handle these niggers with handles
Deal with these people with extreme caution and power
Something like Hannibal Lector
Similar to the famous cannibalistic character who exerts control over those around them
Coming through these section
Navigating through difficult neighborhoods and areas
All wrecking, I could wreck it before
Capable of destroying and ruining a situation before it even begins
All these niggers want to catch a body
Many individuals desire to commit a murder
Now they sitting in jail
Those individuals have been apprehended by law enforcement and imprisoned
Force hell and they say that the prison is a war
The prison is an intense and brutal environment filled with violence and conflict
Nigger slip through the falls
Individuals are trying to communicate with a higher power and find meaning within their struggles
Wanna talk with God cracks in the floor
They hope to speak with God and find clarity in their hardships
How you gonna see with no glasses
You can't truly understand what's happening if you don't have a clear perspective
Boy your vision ain't straight, when you in the church
You can't truly see the truth when you're blinded by religion or other ideologies
And you steal from the place
Committing sins while in a place of worship
That ain't cool, that [?] just a symbol
That behavior is unacceptable and disrespectful to the religion
Officers pull me over, I am not in a rental
Law enforcement has stopped me, but I am not in a stolen car
A lot of dudes look like me, you drug dealers and pimping
Many people who fit my physical appearance are selling drugs or involved in prostitution
I beat the odds, most won't beat the charge
I have overcome the odds of getting caught and charged with a crime
Trying to fall back as I think
Trying to step back and reflect
They still stuck in they ways
Others are not open to change and growth
Ace couldn't even make the change
Even someone who was skilled and wise could not change their ways
They just mad at the world
People who are angry and resentful towards society and the world at large
Same old story, niggers flashing on girls
The cliché of men flaunting their material possessions and objectifying women
Get your life together, this world, for real
It's time to prioritize personal growth and change for the better
I stay on try angle, all [?]
I stay sharp and alert
My new brand looking awesome
My new persona is impressive
In my mind I'm flossing, take a piece of real to eat
Mentally celebrating and enjoying the fruits of my labor
And I don't ever sleep, till I touch the world with rapping and action
Determined to make a global impact with my music and actions
For a [?] boy, I move back and I lock
Despite my background, I am cautious and protected
I'm on top giving face, give me your fucking [?]
I am in a position of power and demand respect
Man I gotta be the realest ever hands down, hands up
I am undoubtedly the most authentic and genuine person
He no bounce back from [?] felonies
It's difficult to recover from being convicted of serious crimes
You do that now and you doing life I can say that now
Committing crimes now can lead to a lifetime of imprisonment
No trusting the game, most thieves is busters [?]
The criminal lifestyle is not reliable and many who engage in it are untrustworthy and cowardly
Don't be no sucker, you better be
Don't be easily taken advantage of, be vigilant and tough
Quick decisions, fall back one time
Be decisive and know when to retreat
Y'all gotta prove nothing, just prove you're smart
You don't have to prove anything to anyone, just use your intelligence and make wise choices
I'm a push that hard line, I'm a wear regardless
I will stand my ground and be true to myself no matter what
Feel like a real don, keep it on
I feel like an authentic boss and will continue to act that way
Never floss to my family, always keeping silent
I will never flaunt my success or resources to my loved ones, and will keep private matters quiet
Before I rock too steady, blocks is heavy
Before I become too complacent, I realize that the neighborhoods I'm in are dangerous and difficult
Got a bird on my back and it ain't dropped already
I have a burden or responsibility that I haven't yet fulfilled
Got a bird in my house and I keeps it ready
I am prepared for any challenges that come my way
Ain't talking about food I make it [?] spaghetti
I am capable of making something out of nothing and creating success for myself
Ain't trying to be rude but you niggers is lame
Not trying to be disrespectful, but many people are uncool or not impressive
Got a pistol on my arm, I take your ass on a date, bitch
I am armed and dangerous, and will not hesitate to take out those who oppose me
Contributed by Alice J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.