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.
Didn't You Know
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lemme clean my glasses
Lemme wipe off my sneakers
Calm down shorty the alpha dude’s up
They don’t wanna touch ‘em they alpha dude touch
Just when they think they getting slick I lift
Switch my altitude up
Drop a little jewelry down
They like the way I converse
They alpha dude chucks
But these tailors here are tailor-made for me
The Geminis the Pros and the Sh-Shayla Gs
A four-man squad that’ll play your league
Play you four on forty give you a hundred-point lead
Then we still pimp the game like it’s Hunter’s point please
Y-y-ya know me (ya know me)
You might see me down Stoney Island
Didn’t you know? (echo)
I’m right behind ya mean
Who you think better than
I’m over ya heads like accedarin
Keep pumping me like a veteran
Part in confidence just that my jargon’s number one in my conference
I take state raise stakes while joggin’
We take nationals no bargains
I’m barging through the door
I’m tired of knocking my knuckles are sore
It’s nothing no more
FNF hot like TNT pop D and D not
Disturbed we’ve injured the nerds
I told you vengeance this hurts
Time to get my grown woman on like bees and the birds
Me and my squad like peas in a pod
Haven’t you heard (echo)
Y-y-ya know me (ya know me)
You might see me ‘bout Stoney Island
While while hundred stallions
State Street grinding that’s who I am
Didn’t you know (echo)
You’re now hip hoppin’ with the better
I do it for the letters
Track tripping pimping
I do it for the cheddar
I chat different listen
I put it all together
Wonder how I remain cool
When I’m pedaling the fire
When niggas got littler than a sweater in the dryer
Homie I was a pusher of medicines for hire
So I can walk through the cookers without sweating my attire
Get through the drought without sweating my supplier
Without giving out my connect to the buyers
I hope I get it correct
Before the sun rises in the west
And god sends his Messiah
And then he wakes up the tired and is done
Y-y-ya know me (ya know me)
You might see me down Stoney Island
Lakeshore or State and
While while wanderin’
Didn’t you know? (echo)
Lupe Fiasco’s song "Didn’t You Know" is a tribute to his hometown of Chicago and a call-to-action for action and unity among its residents. The song starts with the lines "That’s what I’m talking about, Lemme clean my glasses, Lemme wipe off my sneakers" which represents preparing for action and being ready to move towards progress. Throughout the first and second verse, Lupe praises the Geminis, the Pros and the Sh-Shayla Gs, which seem to be representatives of different neighborhoods or groups within Chicago. He mentions their ability to not only play the game but to also pimp the game and encourages them to unite and work towards a common goal of bettering their community.
In the third verse, Lupe talks about his journey as an artist and his ability to remain cool under pressure. He mentions his former life as a drug dealer and how he was able to navigate it without compromising his morals or giving out his sources. He insists on putting it all together and not losing focus on the larger picture of making a better life for himself and his community.
Overall, the song is a call to action for unity, progression, and self-reliance. Lupe acknowledges the struggles and hardships that come with living in a place like Chicago, but encourages his fellow residents to rise above it and work towards a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
That’s what I’m talking about
I am excited about what I am about to say
Lemme clean my glasses
Let me take a closer look at something
Lemme wipe off my sneakers
Let me make sure I am ready to go
Calm down shorty the alpha dude’s up
Relax, I am in control
They don’t wanna touch ‘em they alpha dude touch
They are afraid to compete with me
Just when they think they getting slick I lift
I always stay ahead of the competition
Switch my altitude up
I change my approach to stay unpredictable
Drop a little jewelry down
I show off my success
Pick my valuables up lay my tomfoolery down
I focus on what is important and disregard distractions
They like the way I converse
People enjoy talking to me
They alpha dude chucks
I am successful and stylish
But these tailors here are tailor-made for me
I have a team of people who help me look and feel good
The Geminis the Pros and the Sh-Shayla Gs
I have a group of friends I trust
A four-man squad that’ll play your league
My team is better than yours
Play you four on forty give you a hundred-point lead
I can still win even if you have a head start
Then we still pimp the game like it’s Hunter’s point please
I win in style
Y-y-ya know me (ya know me)
You know what I am about
You might see me down Stoney Island
I am always on the move
Didn’t you know? (echo)
I thought you already knew
I’m right behind ya mean
I am catching up to you
Who you think better than
I am the best
I’m over ya heads like accedarin
I am too smart for you
Keep pumping me like a veteran
I am experienced and still going strong
Part in confidence just that my jargon’s number one in my conference
I have a lot of knowledge and people value what I say
I take state raise stakes while joggin’
I am always thinking about my next move
We take nationals no bargains
I am part of a winning team
I’m barging through the door
I am not waiting for anyone, I am making things happen
I’m tired of knocking my knuckles are sore
I am tired of waiting for opportunities
It’s nothing no more
I am not going to let setbacks stop me
FNF hot like TNT pop D and D not
My crew is on fire and unstoppable
Disturbed we’ve injured the nerds
We have caused chaos and made people upset
I told you vengeance this hurts
I warned you there would be consequences
Time to get my grown woman on like bees and the birds
I am mature and ready to take on anything
Me and my squad like peas in a pod
My team and I work well together
Haven’t you heard (echo)
You should already know about us
While while hundred stallions
I am surrounded by success
State Street grinding that’s who I am
I work hard and stay focused
Didn’t you know (echo)
I thought you already knew
You’re now hip hoppin’ with the better
You are now in my league
I do it for the letters
I do it for the love of the game
Track tripping pimping
I am confident and successful
I do it for the cheddar
I also do it for the money
I chat different listen
I have a unique perspective and I expect people to pay attention
I put it all together
I make it work
Wonder how I remain cool
People wonder how I stay calm under pressure
When I’m pedaling the fire
When I am dealing with difficulties
When niggas got littler than a sweater in the dryer
When other people are losing their composure
Homie I was a pusher of medicines for hire
I used to do illegal things to make money
So I can walk through the cookers without sweating my attire
I can handle anything without breaking a sweat
Get through the drought without sweating my supplier
I can survive tough times without depending on anyone
Without giving out my connect to the buyers
Without revealing my secrets to others
I hope I get it correct
I want to do things the right way
Before the sun rises in the west
Before something impossible happens
And god sends his Messiah
Before a major event happens
And then he wakes up the tired and is done
Before it's too late
You might see me ‘bout Stoney Island
I am always on the move
While while wanderin’
I am exploring new things
Writer(s): Rich Harrison
Contributed by Isabella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mrlatereg
can't believe some ppl on hear havent heard the fahrenheit 1/15 mixtapes thats some of lupe's best music
Chi_Till_I_Die773
I still listen to Lu’s old mixtapes. This is when I first began listen to him when this dropped . Revenge of the Nerds
Ukuwoele
Damn, Lupe spits better on Game's beats than Game. And I probably one of the biggest Game fans, but I think R.E.D will be garbage. So big props to Lupe!
bigu236
sickest beat ever
Ben Dover
Whoa Lupe droppin some true knowledge!!! "before the sun rises in the West and GOD(SWT) sends His Messiah(AS) and then He wakes up the tired and is done" La ilaha ill ALLAH!
80's Child
Lupe and Nas- the only two real rappers that's left!!
Kam
Ishraq the Great Nigga he died
LA_quan
@DevinThaGreat1993 Drake always seems to find a way to stay relevant when it comes to his emotional songs.
Fia Lightning
he's ridiculous:) Haile The Rap King
Mike F
It's "They alpha dude Chucks, these Taylor's are tailor made for me. The Gemini's, The Pros and The Shayla G's. The four man squad that'll play your league. Play four on forty, give you a hundred point lead." First, he's talkin' 'bout his shoes bein' custom.. Then, he refers to about how him, Gemini, Shayla and PRO could take on anyone and over come a disadvantage.