The song’s title makes reference to Transformers, a fictional type of car that can transform itself into a humanoid being. The ‘good’ Transformers are called Autobots, thus “AUTOBOTO.” Throughout the song, Lupe makes multiple nods to vehicles and also one of his monikers, Carrera Lu, who prominently appeared on “Carrera Lu”, released during the "Food & Liquor" era.
The song itself also discusses Lupe’s other, more flashy side as a rapper. This is another reference to the idea of a Transformer, with Lupe having two different characters within him. Another reason why Lupe uses the metaphor of a Transformer is because of the character Jazz, who famously is a music-lover and uses AAVE, effectively being the stereotypical black character.
AUTOBOTO
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nothing to it, ain't nothing to it (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Welcome back, you feel me (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ha, Trakk, what up? (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and I contort
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and it contorts
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era
Lies to the judge, rain in the sky
And the sea might rise what slides to the mud
Sties to the flies from all kinds of the minds
Reporting live from the hive and all sides of the sludge
One deep meditate, one street separate
"Hi" to the Crips, "Goodbye" to the Bloods
But it was the souls, the Lords and GD's
Segregated by the street in the Chi' where I was
Got wise to the nudge
Why buy a tub when they buy you a flood?
Better but you a sub
How you gon' survive in the club?
You gon' kayak it 'cause when it rise up above
And the waves come and push
And the tidals are shoved
What's a infrared dot to a whole dot gov
Look right in the eyes of a thug
Let dumb street shit on the fight to the plug
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and I contort
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and it contorts
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era
My
Wanna shots, headshots
Cut off all my dreadlocks
I ain't want a head wash, no more
What you mean headshot?
Nigga said headshots
Nigga like a helmet with a GoPro, but I mean go-go
Thirteen jeans 'cause the verse mean
'Member we earthlings
Nigga, can you put that in slow-mo?
Hope so, headshots, brains in her pants
So that's a no-no
Might not get it, but it's dope though
Matter fact, loco
Surrounded by gang member and a lot of popo
That's real but it might sound like a joke though
Never know, keep both sides in a chokehold
I just wanted credit, used it to sweat it like show close
Now I don't even know who wrote those
Maybe my ghost knows
But we both cold
Now they used to write all my ghost flows
Wrote each other solos
Now the nigga say he want cold pros
Money from the shelves and rights to the logo
Do you want a lawyer? No, ho
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and I contort
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era
I defend myself in court, this is sport
I get signals from the source
I can twist and it contorts
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
I'm Carrera, era-era-era-era-era-era
Era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era-era
I defend myself in court, yes
Yes, this is a sport, yeah
Signals from the source
Twist and contort
Just feel like I'm a Porsche
Just like a Porsche
Yes, I'm Carrera
I defend myself in court, yes
Yes, this is a sport, yeah
Signals from the source
Twist and contort
Just feel like I'm a Porsche
Just like a Porsche
Yes, I'm Carrera
I defend myself in court, yes
Yes, this is a sport, yeah
Signals from the source
Twist and contort
Just feel like I'm a Porsche, yes
Just like a Porsche, yes
Yes, I'm Carrera
The song "AUTOBOTO" by Lupe Fiasco and Nayirah is a thought-provoking track with a lot to be unearthed from between the lines. The opening lines "Yeah, man, how you doing? / Ain't nothing to it, ain't nothing to it / Welcome back, you feel me / Ha, Trakk, what up?" are just introductory and serve to create a mood of familiarity to the track. However, the real meat of the song lies in the verses, which is where the rappers delve into the murky waters of societal and political issues.
The first verse touches on the idea that people can manipulate the justice system and twist the truth to their advantage in court. Lupe Fiasco says that he gets signals from the source, which could be a reference to a higher power or something that fuels him to stay true to his beliefs. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I defend myself in court" multiple times, signifying the importance of standing up for oneself in times of injustice. Additionally, the refrain of "Carerra, era-era-era-era-era" could be interpreted as a nod to Porsche, being a symbol of luxury, speed, and power.
The second verse talks about the inevitability of natural disasters such as flooding, and how those who are financially well off can weather such calamities, while the dispossessed are left to fend for themselves. The verse also touches on gang violence, police brutality, and the unfairness of the legal system. The final verse delves into the idea of ghostwriting and the ownership of one's creative work, as well as the idea of keeping a tight grip on both sides of one's identity to avoid being taken advantage of.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, man, how you doing? (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Greeting someone and asking how they are.
Ain't nothing to it, ain't nothing to it (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It is easy to do something.
Welcome back, you feel me (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Greeting someone and acknowledging their return.
I defend myself in court, this is sport
Fighting legal battles is like a sport.
I get signals from the source
Receiving guidance from a higher power or intuition.
I can twist and I contort
Being able to adapt and maneuver in difficult situations.
I just feel like I'm a Porsche
Feeling like a high-performance vehicle in control and powerful.
Lies to the judge, rain in the sky
Corruption and deception affecting the justice system and nature.
And the sea might rise what slides to the mud
Climate change causing rising sea levels and destruction.
Sties to the flies from all kinds of the minds
Problems originate from different people and backgrounds.
One deep meditate, one street separate
Meditating and focusing on inner peace even in a hostile environment.
Hi to the Crips, Goodbye to the Bloods
Acknowledging and trying to overcome gang violence and division.
But it was the souls, the Lords and GD's
Gangs and individuals divided by their affiliations.
Segregated by the street in the Chi' where I was
Division and discrimination evident in Chicago where the artist is from.
Got wise to the nudge
Becoming aware of manipulation and influence from others.
Why buy a tub when they buy you a flood?
Rhetorical question about why people would add more stress and problems to their lives.
Better but you a sub
Striving for better, but still being beneath those in power and control.
How you gon' survive in the club?
Challenges faced in environments of drugs, violence, and negativity.
You gon' kayak it 'cause when it rise up above
Attempting to navigate and overcome difficult situations with resilience and positivity.
And the waves come and push
Obstacles and difficulties trying to knock someone down.
And the tidals are shoved
Unpredictable and strong forces affecting one's life.
What's a infrared dot to a whole dot gov
Questioning the significance and impact of small actions in comparison to those in power.
Look right in the eyes of a thug
Confronting and facing someone who represents violence and negativity.
Let dumb street shit on the fight to the plug
Rejecting and fighting against dangerous and harmful practices.
Wanna shots, headshots
Desire for attention and fame even if it involves violence.
Cut off all my dreadlocks
Changing one's physical appearance and shedding old identities.
I ain't want a head wash, no more
No longer desiring to conform and fit into societal expectations and norms.
Might not get it, but it's dope though
Acknowledging that others might not understand or appreciate one's art, but still finding it valuable.
Surrounded by gang member and a lot of popo
Being caught between gang violence and the police in a dangerous environment.
Do you want a lawyer? No, ho
Rejecting assistance from authority figures and being independent.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Wasalu Jaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ziqurats
Lets get this video up on those numbers. Lupe deserves to be seen on bigger stage for his great work
God Speed
@Tu Madrina Still it doesn't feel like he's respected the way we know he should be.
Kula Productions
Three things that are certain in life:
1. Life
2. Death
3. People sleeping on Lupe
Devvv
@God Speed he's respected by his peers. The biggest rappers, producers etc. He just tired of pandering to the masses tastes and just does music he wants to make
God Speed
@Devvv my point was he’s not respected nearly enough.
REPTAR
I hate comments like these. They’re so patronizing.
Barry 🇮🇪
The greatest lyricist of all time, the only reason this guy isn’t huge is because of a label dispute that stopped him from releasing what he wanted for years
Roman Bullard
I don't think he the best lyricist but he definitely deserved alot better in his career and he definitely has the lyrical ability
Nicky Pelo
@Roman Bullard he is, who would you rate higher?
Garin Baker
@Nicky Pelo Lupe Fiasco can’t write anything close to Aesop Rock. That’s who the real goat is.