Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop artist and producer. He first became known to the mainstream hip-hop community in 2005 when he appeared on Kanye West's album Late Registration on the track "Touch the Sky." In 2006 Lupe released his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor on Atlantic Records, and in December 2007 he released his second full length album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool . His next studio album, entitled Lasers, was released on March 8th 2011 after a protest against Atlantic's decision not to release it.
The Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) Songfacts reports that Fiasco’s first single off his fourth studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 debuted on May 21, 2012. On "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)," he spits rhymes about aspects of modern American life he doesn’t like such as "Suicide bombers and prosperity gospels, emaciated models, with cocaine and blood pouring out their nostrils” as well as socio-political problems in Ghana and the invasion of Iraq.
Lupe released his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth on January 20, 2015.
Lupe's 8th Studio Album DRILL MUSIC IN ZION was released on June 23rd 2022
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group Da Pak and then signed a solo deal with Arista. His years at Arista only led to the 2003 promo single "Pop Pop" as well as guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know") and K Fox (2003's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records.
The Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) Songfacts reports that Fiasco’s first single off his fourth studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 debuted on May 21, 2012. On "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)," he spits rhymes about aspects of modern American life he doesn’t like such as "Suicide bombers and prosperity gospels, emaciated models, with cocaine and blood pouring out their nostrils” as well as socio-political problems in Ghana and the invasion of Iraq.
Lupe released his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth on January 20, 2015.
Lupe's 8th Studio Album DRILL MUSIC IN ZION was released on June 23rd 2022
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group Da Pak and then signed a solo deal with Arista. His years at Arista only led to the 2003 promo single "Pop Pop" as well as guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know") and K Fox (2003's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records.
Chopper
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now Ladies & Gentlemen, Lupe Fiasco
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Background check for a chopper
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
I got my chopper full and my black tee, slide
My baby mama done fucked up on her food stamps
That’s three muscles recertified
I’m right, niggas be watching, they don’t want these problems
When them bills due, niggas get ready cause no bullshit I’m buyin’
I’m a government baby, let me get my cheese, let me get my cheese
Got a Chevy trailer in my mama yard, sittin’ on E’s
I’m bout this fee, I’m bout this fee
Just know what’s free
You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth so don’t critique
Look at me nigga, just a young hood nigga tryna get this cake
I don’t need to be givin’ out how school gon’ educate
Filet mignon for my food stamps I know mama credit quite good
So I’m out here with this dope money got a big body in my hood
Nigga you see it, better believe it, this what I’m bout
Got a trap house I be boomin’ in, fiends in and out
Cut the J anyway it come nigga, section 8
See we straight, how much money I make
This block [?]
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Would tell you don’t really want be the truth
Let me hit you back on my government phone
Still a hood nigga, whatcha want me to do?
We get a blunt and a joint out of [?]
Where I’m from we be actually hoopin’ in Jordans
Five dollar white t-shirts and them loose cigarettes
Ain’t nobody fit to do shit important
People really don’t give no fuck about nothing
Although they may smile and be cordial
Dealin’ around with the wrong damn crowd
Then bring a frown to my friend [?] warn you
Background check for the chopper
[?] imposters
The murder rate ain’t back down yet
To the nigga that was tryna say somethin’
Some people, listen, you could be predisposed or be preconditioned
Or speak with the preacher, been preaching be the person
To be some process in your progress or be the prevention
I just live my life and I don’t stop grindin’ until God tell me to
I get money, I ain’t gotta sell my soul, ho, who the hell is you?
They say my kind ain’t welcome everywhere, well I can deal with that
But those who pop they shit get the shit popped outta them it's still a fact
So mind your business and stay the fuck outta mine
You’ll shortly find that this is best for everyone involved
All in all [?]
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Permit, don’t need permission from a doctor
I been smokin’ since a pre-teen toddler
I been servin’ since a jit tryna dodge all the obstacles
My teachers all told me that were probable
Probable cause, no crack a never really had it
I was just a nigga in a high price whip
Yea, I’m just a nigga with an education brought up in the ghetto
Well you better have extension on the clip
Well beef comes around in the town more often than these bitches in motion
I got a yapper, five dollars, off the streets
Yea I’m told for protection more than anything
Don’t test my devotion
My first amendment right, they violate it anytime we out smokin’
Chicago violence boostin’ up but we just focussin’ on other environments
Apologize cause [?] promotin’
Chopper and my bitch they ain’t kissin’ light somebody up
You just tell them [?] who stole it
Rich gunplay, shit that’s all they see that’s all they know
Without it kinda hopeless
Said this is in ’09 and still no medicare for grandma
I done said out their names and niggas still ain't wanna [?]
Lu probly tell me Trouble you gotta put the mack down
Feelin’ these all in your background
Said this is in ’09 and still no medicare for grandma
I done said out their names and niggas still ain't wanna [?]
Lu probly tell me Trouble you gotta put the mack down
Feelin’ these all in your background
I used to run up in your crib with shit that go ‘blaka
Nigga tryna brick my squad like I’m Waka
I don’t want a single chain I can’t rocka
[?] life is a bitch, can’t stop her
Even if I could, I tell ‘em I wouldn’t knock her
Til the get the 6 and then swap her
Baby mama tax return, new dropper
I might wanna so sip that bitch like I’m [?]
All of my whips [?] bought a house
Food stamp, get flipped, what that water cost?
Yea I’m actin like a nigga that ain’t never had shit
Filet Mignon porter house
My little brother on his medical shit from that block street
Nigga health care insured by that guap
More ways than [?] to me [?]
Jackals playin’ overseas with they yacht
Shit I probly be the same I find drama
Law’s out lookin’ for me like Osama
I don’t wanna do no bid, yo honor
Still waitin’ on my one phone call from Obama
Tell ‘em I need the chopper
They tellin’ me i'm a fellon
I beat the case and that’s it
And I wasn’t acquainted with him
But I’m tryna make it to Heaven
But they don’t want me to make it
That’s why the niggas be tellin’ me
If I don’t get the chopper I’mma probly run up inside them
They better gimme a answer, I’m tryna be cool
If I don’t get it then everybody gon’ fear it
Every week I’m finna make ‘em repeat it like they in school
Bed blues, everybody open up somethin’
You can move all you want just not southern
It ain’t no thinkin’ I was playin’ I am not frontin
The mentality of a goon, I am not stuntin
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Storm is gone now it’s all clear
The road was long but we all here
[?] I don’t care
2014 is our year
Big shout out to the whole streets
This goes out to all that knows me
All y’all pussy niggas, holies
Y’all play tough guys but call the police
Look I don’t care, I don’t share
I keep me a bad bitch around here
I send them choppers around there
When I’m somewhere sittin’ in a lounge chair
Overseas, blowin’ tree, blowin’ green, throwin’ B's
Livin’ like life is supposed to be
And if you wanna see it all, nigga roll with me
To the top, couldn’t stop, had a major deal but it wouldn’t pop
Niggas hated on me but I wouldn’t stop
And now life sweeter than a puddin’ pop
Think so slick, come and get me dog
None of y’all niggas fuckin’ with me dog
Some of y’all niggas comin’ with me dog
None of y’all niggas' boots fit me dog
You think an echo was y’all
You need to think tactical dog
We laughin’ at y’all
While you thinking me and Lu [?]
Seein’ this shit that keep goin’ on
Then pick a different zone for your mobile homes
Store fingerprints on your mobile phone
When you sippin’ that shit we keep blowin’ on
I’m bout that, I’m bout that
That billy out in that driveway
Cost more than my house did
Fuck land, I’m fly today
First class if I fly
Credit card ain’t mine
Don’t know how I’m getitn’ back
But in luxury I arrive
iPhone in my baby name
Long way from that chirp
Strip pole in my bedroom
But I’mma kill my daughter if she twerk
I’mma kill my daughter if she twerk
Miley Cyrus is that bullshit
But a rednecker can’t judge
That for Billy Ray to have to deal with
Record deal, fuck college
Missed out but no pyrex
My Harley got low mileage
This white carpet in my project
30 guns in my section, none of the homies got [?]
My side bitch and she pregnant
I ain’t claimin’ shit but the game
And this one is mine, I don’t trust his mama
So he don’t got my name
Mirrors loose as my [?]
I ain’t addicted to shit
My weed man on my speed dial
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop
AR-15 with collapsible stock
Picket [?] with a 3 point [?]
Wish 150 round magazine and a dot
FMJ’s by the box, nigga
Got the same setup as the SWATs, nigga
Shouldn’t find that surprising
Cause I bought the muthafucka from a cop
Ain’t seen a lot of brown money as a shorty
Welfare baby can’t afford me
Healthcare there, I ain’t worried
Healthcare there, I ain’t worried
Excuse me, as I repeat myself
Work twice as hard to complete myself
My opposition is not pretending
When I work twice as hard to defeat myself
Fuck being a hip hop purist
When I'm spendin’ 50 thousand on Securus
At least it’s a contradiction, you’ll feel us
RIP to the homies but long live the killas
It’s why I look at God kinda odd
Cause these are the cards that he deal us
[?] can’t feel us, Medicare can’t heal us
And the mamas can’t stop us
And these choppers might kill us
Look these wild niggas in they eyes
In the video it's some niggas that done died
Looked the ghosts in the face and I cried
No Wu-Tang, just Lu gang when I ride
[?] sayin’ free the guys like I’m dirty
With a clean record but I’m cursed
To make a half a million off a verse
Nigga, chop
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Background check for a chopper
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Background check for a chopper
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
I got my chopper full and my black tee, slide
My baby mama done fucked up on her food stamps
That’s three muscles recertified
I’m right, niggas be watching, they don’t want these problems
When them bills due, niggas get ready cause no bullshit I’m buyin’
I’m a government baby, let me get my cheese, let me get my cheese
Got a Chevy trailer in my mama yard, sittin’ on E’s
I’m bout this fee, I’m bout this fee
Just know what’s free
You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth so don’t critique
Look at me nigga, just a young hood nigga tryna get this cake
I don’t need to be givin’ out how school gon’ educate
Filet mignon for my food stamps I know mama credit quite good
So I’m out here with this dope money got a big body in my hood
Nigga you see it, better believe it, this what I’m bout
Got a trap house I be boomin’ in, fiends in and out
Cut the J anyway it come nigga, section 8
See we straight, how much money I make
This block [?]
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Would tell you don’t really want be the truth
Let me hit you back on my government phone
Still a hood nigga, whatcha want me to do?
We get a blunt and a joint out of [?]
Where I’m from we be actually hoopin’ in Jordans
Five dollar white t-shirts and them loose cigarettes
Ain’t nobody fit to do shit important
People really don’t give no fuck about nothing
Although they may smile and be cordial
Dealin’ around with the wrong damn crowd
Then bring a frown to my friend [?] warn you
Background check for the chopper
[?] imposters
The murder rate ain’t back down yet
To the nigga that was tryna say somethin’
Some people, listen, you could be predisposed or be preconditioned
Or speak with the preacher, been preaching be the person
To be some process in your progress or be the prevention
I just live my life and I don’t stop grindin’ until God tell me to
I get money, I ain’t gotta sell my soul, ho, who the hell is you?
They say my kind ain’t welcome everywhere, well I can deal with that
But those who pop they shit get the shit popped outta them it's still a fact
So mind your business and stay the fuck outta mine
You’ll shortly find that this is best for everyone involved
All in all [?]
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Permit, don’t need permission from a doctor
I been smokin’ since a pre-teen toddler
I been servin’ since a jit tryna dodge all the obstacles
My teachers all told me that were probable
Probable cause, no crack a never really had it
I was just a nigga in a high price whip
Yea, I’m just a nigga with an education brought up in the ghetto
Well you better have extension on the clip
Well beef comes around in the town more often than these bitches in motion
I got a yapper, five dollars, off the streets
Yea I’m told for protection more than anything
Don’t test my devotion
My first amendment right, they violate it anytime we out smokin’
Chicago violence boostin’ up but we just focussin’ on other environments
Apologize cause [?] promotin’
Chopper and my bitch they ain’t kissin’ light somebody up
You just tell them [?] who stole it
Rich gunplay, shit that’s all they see that’s all they know
Without it kinda hopeless
Said this is in ’09 and still no medicare for grandma
I done said out their names and niggas still ain't wanna [?]
Lu probly tell me Trouble you gotta put the mack down
Feelin’ these all in your background
Said this is in ’09 and still no medicare for grandma
I done said out their names and niggas still ain't wanna [?]
Lu probly tell me Trouble you gotta put the mack down
Feelin’ these all in your background
I used to run up in your crib with shit that go ‘blaka
Nigga tryna brick my squad like I’m Waka
I don’t want a single chain I can’t rocka
[?] life is a bitch, can’t stop her
Even if I could, I tell ‘em I wouldn’t knock her
Til the get the 6 and then swap her
Baby mama tax return, new dropper
I might wanna so sip that bitch like I’m [?]
All of my whips [?] bought a house
Food stamp, get flipped, what that water cost?
Yea I’m actin like a nigga that ain’t never had shit
Filet Mignon porter house
My little brother on his medical shit from that block street
Nigga health care insured by that guap
More ways than [?] to me [?]
Jackals playin’ overseas with they yacht
Shit I probly be the same I find drama
Law’s out lookin’ for me like Osama
I don’t wanna do no bid, yo honor
Still waitin’ on my one phone call from Obama
Tell ‘em I need the chopper
They tellin’ me i'm a fellon
I beat the case and that’s it
And I wasn’t acquainted with him
But I’m tryna make it to Heaven
But they don’t want me to make it
That’s why the niggas be tellin’ me
If I don’t get the chopper I’mma probly run up inside them
They better gimme a answer, I’m tryna be cool
If I don’t get it then everybody gon’ fear it
Every week I’m finna make ‘em repeat it like they in school
Bed blues, everybody open up somethin’
You can move all you want just not southern
It ain’t no thinkin’ I was playin’ I am not frontin
The mentality of a goon, I am not stuntin
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Storm is gone now it’s all clear
The road was long but we all here
[?] I don’t care
2014 is our year
Big shout out to the whole streets
This goes out to all that knows me
All y’all pussy niggas, holies
Y’all play tough guys but call the police
Look I don’t care, I don’t share
I keep me a bad bitch around here
I send them choppers around there
When I’m somewhere sittin’ in a lounge chair
Overseas, blowin’ tree, blowin’ green, throwin’ B's
Livin’ like life is supposed to be
And if you wanna see it all, nigga roll with me
To the top, couldn’t stop, had a major deal but it wouldn’t pop
Niggas hated on me but I wouldn’t stop
And now life sweeter than a puddin’ pop
Think so slick, come and get me dog
None of y’all niggas fuckin’ with me dog
Some of y’all niggas comin’ with me dog
None of y’all niggas' boots fit me dog
You think an echo was y’all
You need to think tactical dog
We laughin’ at y’all
While you thinking me and Lu [?]
Seein’ this shit that keep goin’ on
Then pick a different zone for your mobile homes
Store fingerprints on your mobile phone
When you sippin’ that shit we keep blowin’ on
I’m bout that, I’m bout that
That billy out in that driveway
Cost more than my house did
Fuck land, I’m fly today
First class if I fly
Credit card ain’t mine
Don’t know how I’m getitn’ back
But in luxury I arrive
iPhone in my baby name
Long way from that chirp
Strip pole in my bedroom
But I’mma kill my daughter if she twerk
I’mma kill my daughter if she twerk
Miley Cyrus is that bullshit
But a rednecker can’t judge
That for Billy Ray to have to deal with
Record deal, fuck college
Missed out but no pyrex
My Harley got low mileage
This white carpet in my project
30 guns in my section, none of the homies got [?]
My side bitch and she pregnant
I ain’t claimin’ shit but the game
And this one is mine, I don’t trust his mama
So he don’t got my name
Mirrors loose as my [?]
I ain’t addicted to shit
My weed man on my speed dial
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Car cosigned by my mama
Medical card from Obama
Background check for a chopper
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop
AR-15 with collapsible stock
Picket [?] with a 3 point [?]
Wish 150 round magazine and a dot
FMJ’s by the box, nigga
Got the same setup as the SWATs, nigga
Shouldn’t find that surprising
Cause I bought the muthafucka from a cop
Ain’t seen a lot of brown money as a shorty
Welfare baby can’t afford me
Healthcare there, I ain’t worried
Healthcare there, I ain’t worried
Excuse me, as I repeat myself
Work twice as hard to complete myself
My opposition is not pretending
When I work twice as hard to defeat myself
Fuck being a hip hop purist
When I'm spendin’ 50 thousand on Securus
At least it’s a contradiction, you’ll feel us
RIP to the homies but long live the killas
It’s why I look at God kinda odd
Cause these are the cards that he deal us
[?] can’t feel us, Medicare can’t heal us
And the mamas can’t stop us
And these choppers might kill us
Look these wild niggas in they eyes
In the video it's some niggas that done died
Looked the ghosts in the face and I cried
No Wu-Tang, just Lu gang when I ride
[?] sayin’ free the guys like I’m dirty
With a clean record but I’m cursed
To make a half a million off a verse
Nigga, chop
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's "Chopper" are a reflection on the challenges and hardships faced by those living in poverty in the United States. Lupe speaks about his own experiences, including having to rely on government assistance programs such as food stamps and Obamacare, and the struggle to obtain a legal firearm (a "chopper") due to the required background check. He also touches on the violence and danger that comes with living in rough neighborhoods, with lines like "The murder rate ain’t back down yet."
Throughout the song, Lupe emphasizes the difficulty of escaping poverty and systemic inequality, referencing the lack of access to quality education and healthcare. He also references his own success, but does not forget where he came from, as he understands the struggles that still exist for many others in his community.
Overall, this song serves as a powerful commentary on socio-economic issues in the United States, and the necessity of examining and addressing them in order to provide equal opportunities and a better life for all citizens.
Line by Line Meaning
Filet mignon with my food stamps
Despite being on food stamps, I indulge in expensive meals like filet mignon
Car cosigned by my mama
My mother co-signed my car loan to help me out finance-wise
Medical card from Obama
I have a medical card provided by the Obama administration for my healthcare needs
Background check for a chopper
I had to undergo a background check in order to acquire a chopper (gun)
I'm right, niggas be watching, they don't want these problems
I know I'm in the right, and people are watching me, but they don't want to confront me
When them bills due, niggas get ready cause no bullshit I'm buyin'
When bills come due, I'm ready to pay them because I have the money
I don't need to be givin' out how school gon' educate
I don't need to tell you how school can educate you because I've learned everything on my own
People really don’t give no fuck about nothing
Most people don't care about anything at all
Although they may smile and be cordial
Even if they smile and act friendly, they still don't care about anything
Chopper and my bitch they ain’t kissin' light somebody up
My gun is always ready to be used if someone tries to attack me or those close to me
Record deal, fuck college
I chose to pursue a record deal instead of going to college
And the mamas can’t stop us
Even our mothers can't stop us from the lives we choose to lead
Look these wild niggas in they eyes
I'm not afraid to make eye contact with these wild people
No Wu-Tang, just Lu gang when I ride
I don't ride with the Wu-Tang Clan, only with my gang led by Lupe Fiasco
It's why I look at God kinda odd
I question why God dealt us the cards we've been given in life
And these choppers might kill us
The guns we have might be the cause of our own demise
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ADAM KING FEENEY, DACOURY NATCHE, WASALU JACO, CHARLES PENNIMAN, NATHANIEL JOHNSON, JEFFERY ROBINSON, MARIEL ORR, FRAZIER THOMPSON, PEDRITHO DORSONNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Kojo Oppong
RIP Trouble, his verse on this record will always be 🔥.
UnlimitedProduction
First time I heard the song I thought it was too long and didn't think it fit with the album, but I was dead wrong, it fits perfectly and it's a real banger
Troy McAvoy
Same
Taxidermistification
There's quite a few long songs on the album. Lupe doesn't make simple 3 minute songs he creates art.
Tyrone Biggums aka Duke
RIP trouble💯🔥🔥🔥
Tyler Pruitt
Damn this new album is PHENOMENAL. This track is ridiculous.
Notoriolifestyle
Lol it is I almost didn't fit the complete title haha
Daylan Brawley
“Where I’m from we actually hoop in Jordan’s”
That hit hard 😳
GRIDSALEENS7
Trouble & Trae killed this track. OMG, I will definitely remember those verses and rap it forever.
T.Y. Reese
@Nurmuh ammad 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾