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.
Stress
Lil B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This the realest shit I ever spoke
Try and get my mind right through all this stress,
I’ma play my cards right and I’ma take my reps
Real people from the world made me do with the best
Niggas can’t stop me bitch, I’ma do it till death
Niggas too close to the hunt,
Niggas ears open bitch and they eyes closed shut
Like a bitch made tell me what my rise show up
We gon slide through the city in the night turnt up
How let you this far niggas lies turnt up
Fuck you bitches if you hating on us
Fuck you if you hating on me, I’m based as fuck
Seen the bar and I raised it up
Rap game like my son, bitch I’ma raise it up
The world on my dick getting paper cuts
Get loose man I take you up, sit back I’ma take you up
That’s based as fuck bitch
You get home sick, man you know niggas is sick with it
You feel me, been the wrong stop man, yeah
I’m tryina get my mind right,
Through all this stress, I’ma play cards right
And I’ma take my reps bitch
My foundation from the streets so I never can leave
Fuck a nigga if he don’t give me space to breathe
See spaces a place to see, bitches on my dick
Man, you after chasing me
Bitch niggas still chasing leaves, can’t find that spot
Where’s Waldo, find that drop
Ape shit, better case to me, no case for me
But patient see
The number one thing is patience please
God just knows what the patients need
We all sit living with disease
And you say you clean but not clean as me
Yeah bitch this the thing I believe
Thank you based god, you what the world needs
Based world man is the only thing I see
Never get grounded by the money and weed, Lil B
I’ma tell you who the realest nigga alive man, you feel me
Check it out man
Fuck that shit, I’ma play my cards right and I’ma take my reps
Yeah, I’m just tell you fuck I’m thugged out man
I’ma tell you this man
I’m tryina get my mind right, through all this stress,
I’ma play cards right and I’ma take my reps
Yeah man,
Tryina get my mind right, through all this stress,
I’ma play cards right and I’ma take my reps
In the song "Stress" by Lil B, the rapper is reflecting on his experience with stress and how he deals with it. He begins the song by declaring that these are the realest lyrics he has ever written or spoken. He expresses his desire to get his mind right, and how he will play his cards right and take his reps. He acknowledges that real people from the world have helped him to be the best version of himself and that no one can stop him from doing what he wants to do. He mentions that sometimes he feels like he has too much on his plate, and niggas are too close to him, making it difficult for him to deal with things. He then invites his listeners to slide through the city with him in the night. He insists that no matter how far his haters have taken their lies, they can't stop him because he is based as fuck.
Throughout the song, Lil B tries to encourage his listeners to believe in themselves and to keep going no matter how hard things get. He talks about how he is from the streets, and he can't leave because his foundation is there. He is aware of the bitches on his dick, but he doesn't let them distract him. He says that he doesn't have time for anyone who doesn't give him space to breathe, and he believes that patience is the number one thing. He acknowledges that everyone is living with some form of disease, and those who claim to be clean are not as clean as he is. He ends the song by insisting that he is the realest nigga alive, and he will continue playing his cards right and taking his reps to get his mind right.
Line by Line Meaning
This the realest shit I ever wrote,
I am speaking my truth and not holding back.
This the realest shit I ever spoke
I am speaking from the heart and being genuine.
Try and get my mind right through all this stress,
I am working to improve my mental health despite difficult circumstances.
I’ma play my cards right and I’ma take my reps
I am going to make smart decisions and work hard to achieve my goals.
Real people from the world made me do with the best
I am doing my best with the resources and opportunities I have been given by the people around me.
Niggas can’t stop me bitch, I’ma do it till death
No one can hold me back and I will keep going until the end.
Got work, I ain’t touched it myself in the mirror man
I have a lot of work to do and I need to stay focused on my goals.
Niggas too close to the hunt,
Some people are too involved in my business and need to back off.
Niggas ears open bitch and they eyes closed shut
Some people are listening to me but not paying attention to what is really going on.
Like a bitch made tell me what my rise show up
Some people are doubting me and questioning my abilities to succeed.
We gon slide through the city in the night turnt up
I am going to enjoy my success and have fun with my friends.
How let you this far niggas lies turnt up
I am questioning how I allowed some people to deceive me and get this far in my life.
Fuck you bitches if you hating on us
I don't care about negative opinions or criticism from people who don't support me.
Fuck you if you hating on me, I’m based as fuck
I am confident in my identity and don't need validation from others.
Seen the bar and I raised it up
I am constantly improving myself and setting higher goals.
Rap game like my son, bitch I’ma raise it up
I am devoted to my career in rap and will do whatever it takes to succeed.
The world on my dick getting paper cuts
I am successful and wealthy, but the constant attention and pressure can be damaging.
Get loose man I take you up, sit back I’ma take you up
I am confident in my ability to lead and inspire others to succeed.
That’s based as fuck bitch
That's just how I roll and I'm proud of it.
You get home sick, man you know niggas is sick with it
When you are away from me, you will miss me because I am talented and successful.
You feel me, been the wrong stop man, yeah
You know what I mean, sometimes things don't go the way we planned.
My foundation from the streets so I never can leave
My upbringing and experiences in the streets have shaped who I am and I will never forget that.
Fuck a nigga if he don’t give me space to breathe
I don't like people who try to control me or limit my potential.
See spaces a place to see, bitches on my dick
I need room to breathe and think, but some people are still trying to bring me down.
Man, you after chasing me
People are always trying to follow and copy my success.
Bitch niggas still chasing leaves, can’t find that spot
Some people are lost and confused, unable to find their way in life.
Where’s Waldo, find that drop
People are searching for something that they may never find.
Ape shit, better case to me, no case for me
I am going crazy with success, and nothing can stop me.
But patient see
I am willing to be patient and work hard to achieve my goals.
The number one thing is patience please
Patience is the key to success.
God just knows what the patients need
God is aware of what we need in life, including patience.
We all sit living with disease
We are all struggling with something in life.
And you say you clean but not clean as me
I am living a life free of negativity, and others should strive to do the same.
Yeah bitch this the thing I believe
This is my truth and what I stand for.
Thank you based god, you what the world needs
I am grateful for my success and believe that the world needs more positivity like mine.
Based world man is the only thing I see
I am focused on my own success and not worried about other people's opinions or struggles.
Never get grounded by the money and weed, Lil B
I will never let material things or substance abuse bring me down or control me.
I’ma tell you who the realest nigga alive man, you feel me
I am confident in my own realness and authenticity.
Check it out man
Listen up and pay attention.
Fuck that shit, I’ma play my cards right and I’ma take my reps
I am done with negativity and focusing on working hard and achieving my goals.
Yeah, I’m just tell you fuck I’m thugged out man
I am living a tough life and can handle anything.
Tryina get my mind right, through all this stress,
I am working hard to improve my mental health despite difficult circumstances.
I’ma play cards right and I’ma take my reps bitch
I am going to make smart decisions and work hard to achieve my goals, no matter what anyone thinks.
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.