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.
Fast Money
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I heard like a group of cows
That all ya enemies wanna shoot you down
They got AK-47s and a bunch of Mac 11s
Semi-automatic weapons that produce kapows
Word on the street is, they all got heaters
They gon' hit you up and you ain't even gon' see it
You got a lotta money, I ain't tryin' be funny
They see you ridin' 'round, shinin' with ya
Fine round diamonds pretty green-eyed lady
Been on the sideline poutin', while you prime time poppin'
Hungry niggaz want a piece of your pastry
I suggest you protect yo' bakery
'Cause they comin' for yo' head
And it's a bounty on that chain
That's hangin' from yo' neck, they said
I don't know, what you've been told in your ear
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta
(Die)
Don't know, what you been told in your ear
But business goin' round, somebody gotta
(Die)
Hit a nigga wit the mini-Mac strap
Clap any nigga think he gettin' Gs' down here
In a meter, any nigga gettin money and my honey
Man, I heard Micheal Young is the re-clown near
Run up on a nigga from the back wit a Mac
Gon' be strapped 'cause a nigga finna squeeze off ten
Run up on this nigga 'Lac, rat-ta-tat-tat
Click clack, where this nigga at? I need sin
Shit is goin' down ever I see him
Bump a nigga out like Oxy-10
And keep a couple of dollars up in the wallet
To pay the cops so they can never box me in
(Die)
That's what I'm thinkin'
While ridin' around polishin' this big pistol
I'ma catch him in the wind, pray the gun don't jam
So until we meet again, nigga it's cool
I don't know, what you've been told in your ear
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta
(Die)
Don't know, what you been told in your ear
But business goin' round, somebody gotta
(Die)
Don't pay them niggaz no mind
They hatin' on you, ain't nobody witta shotty
And plannin' on doin' a robbery, itchin' to catch a body
Creepin' in a stolen jalopy, out there waitin' on you
I'm sittin' in a stolen car, finna rob this nigga
Should I let the mini-Mac or the shotgun hit him?
I been waitin' all day, tryin' spot this nigga
I can't let him get away, I'ma pop this nigga, uh
Plus they don't know about the chopper in the trunk
The Glocks in a box and the nine on tuck
The bulletproof glass, the 40's in the stash
You pull the steerin' wheel and it pop on up
Forty caliber stashed up in the stash box
Bulletproof windows, you couldn't break 'em wit a padlock
Ak in the trunk, where the sounds bump
Two twin Glock 40's and a nine and this damn clock
Man, we finna go up in this club, show a lil' love
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Put some 'dro in the air, then go and get some grub
I say we go up in this club, show a lil' love
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Put some 'dro in the air, then catch a few slugs
Ay, ay, ay, pull over right here, I gotta take a pee
And don't go nowhere, nigga wait for me
And if some niggaz do kill you in the next few minutes
Just remember my nigga, it's a heaven for a G
Ay ay, hold this right there I'll be
I'll be right back, I gotta take a piss man hold on
Fo' sho, ay man, ay don't leave I'll be right back
Ay, don't leave I'll be back
Hurry your ass up man, damn
Coolest nigga what, Coolest nigga what
Coolest nigga what, hustla fo' life, ay man
Aiyyo, nigga hurry yo' ass up, man
Cool ass nigga man, fuckin' three in the mornin'
Coolest muh'fucker in the world man
Niggaz ain't fuckin' with me man
Nigga high, smokin' fly ass car
I run these motherfuckin' streets
Niggaz out here lookin' for me
Nigga, I wish a motherfucker would
Ay nigga hurry yo' ass up, nigga, damn
Wassup now, nigga?
Ain't too cool now, is you nigga?
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's "Fast Money" tell the story of someone who is constantly aware of the potential danger they are in due to their wealth and fame. The singer is warning the listener of the various threats that exist and the multiple individuals who want to harm them. The underlying message is that the game of gaining wealth and fame is one of high risks and consequences. Those who are successful will always have individuals who are envious and will go to great lengths to try and take what they have. The singer acknowledges these dangers and urges that the listener be prepared and protect themselves against these threats.
The song emphasizes the idea of the death of "The Cool," which could be interpreted as the end of a certain state of mind or a particular lifestyle. The song is suggesting that those who engage in the game of fast money live in a constant state of danger and must be aware of the risks that come with this lifestyle. The lyrics are a warning to those who seek fame and fortune because it comes with a high price.
Overall, Lupe Fiasco's "Fast Money" is a warning about the dangers of the game of fast money and the risks one takes when engaging in this lifestyle. It is a reminder of the importance of being aware of the potential threats and the need to protect oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I present the death of The Cool
I am here to reveal the downfall of the person known as The Cool
Well I heard like a group of cows
I've been informed, like a group of cows spreading rumors
That all ya enemies wanna shoot you down
That your enemies are planning to harm you
They got AK-47s and a bunch of Mac 11s
They possess powerful automatic weapons
Semi-automatic weapons that produce kapows
These weapons make loud, explosive sounds
Word on the street is, they all got heaters
Rumor has it that they all have guns
They gon' hit you up and you ain't even gon' see it
They will attack you without you even realizing
You got a lotta money, I ain't tryin' be funny
You have a lot of wealth, and I'm not joking
But they say, 'Where you goin'? You ain't even gon' need it'
They question the purpose of your money and possessions
They see you ridin' 'round, shinin' with ya
They observe you driving around, displaying
Fine round diamonds pretty green-eyed lady
Shiny circular diamonds and an attractive woman
Been on the sideline poutin', while you prime time poppin'
They have been envious and upset while you enjoy success
Hungry niggaz want a piece of your pastry
Needy individuals desire a share of your wealth
I suggest you protect yo' bakery
I recommend safeguarding your wealth
'Cause they comin' for yo' head
Because they are aiming to harm you
And it's a bounty on that chain
There is a reward for stealing your necklace
That's hangin' from yo' neck, they said
That is attached to your neck, according to them
I don't know, what you've been told in your ear
I don't know what information you've received
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta (Die)
But I've heard that something bad will happen and someone will die
Don't know, what you been told in your ear
Don't know what information you've received
But business goin' round, somebody gotta (Die)
But there are rumors spreading, and someone will die
Hit a nigga wit the mini-Mac strap
Use a small Mac-11 gun to shoot someone
Clap any nigga think he gettin' Gs' down here
Shoot anyone who thinks they're making money in this area
In a meter, any nigga gettin money and my honey
In this place, anyone making money, and my partner
Man, I heard Micheal Young is the re-clown near
I heard that Micheal Young is nearby and foolish
Run up on a nigga from the back wit a Mac
Approach someone from behind with a Mac-11 gun
Gon' be strapped 'cause a nigga finna squeeze off ten
Be prepared because I will fire ten shots
Run up on this nigga 'Lac, rat-ta-tat-tat
Approach this person's vehicle, firing rapidly
Click clack, where this nigga at? I need sin
Make the sound of a gun cocking, where is this person? I need sin
Shit is goin' down ever I see him
Something bad will happen whenever I encounter him
Bump a nigga out like Oxy-10
Kill someone easily, like using acne medication
And keep a couple of dollars up in the wallet
And carry some money in the wallet
To pay the cops so they can never box me in
To bribe the police so they won't restrict me
That's what I'm thinkin'
That's what I'm considering
While ridin' around polishin' this big pistol
While driving around, cleaning and preparing this large gun
I'ma catch him in the wind, pray the gun don't jam
I will find him unexpectedly and hope the gun doesn't malfunction
So until we meet again, nigga it's cool
So until our next encounter, it's fine
Don't pay them niggaz no mind
Ignore those individuals
They hatin' on you, ain't nobody witta shotty
They are jealous of you, but none of them have firearms
And plannin' on doin' a robbery, itchin' to catch a body
And they are planning to commit a robbery or harm someone
Creepin' in a stolen jalopy, out there waitin' on you
Sneaking around in a stolen car, waiting for you
I'm sittin' in a stolen car, finna rob this nigga
I am sitting in a stolen car, about to rob this person
Should I let the mini-Mac or the shotgun hit him?
Should I shoot him with the small Mac-11 or the shotgun?
I been waitin' all day, tryin' spot this nigga
I've been waiting all day, trying to locate this person
I can't let him get away, I'ma pop this nigga, uh
I can't allow him to escape, I'm going to shoot him
Plus they don't know about the chopper in the trunk
Additionally, they are unaware of the machine gun in the trunk
The Glocks in a box and the nine on tuck
The Glocks are hidden away and the nine millimeter gun is concealed
The bulletproof glass, the 40's in the stash
There is bulletproof glass and the .40 caliber guns are stored
You pull the steerin' wheel and it pop on up
When you pull the steering wheel, it activates
Forty caliber stashed up in the stash box
Concealed .40 caliber guns in the storage compartment
Bulletproof windows, you couldn't break 'em wit a padlock
The windows are bulletproof, impossible to break even with a padlock
Ak in the trunk, where the sounds bump
An AK-47 gun is in the trunk, where loud music plays
Two twin Glock 40's and a nine and this damn clock
Two identical Glock 40 guns and a nine millimeter gun, along with a clock
Man, we finna go up in this club, show a lil' love
We are about to enter this club and have a good time
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Have some drinks and flirt with girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Find a couple and then leave
Put some 'dro in the air, then go and get some grub
Smoke marijuana, then go out to eat
I say we go up in this club, show a lil' love
I think we should go to this club and have fun
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Have some drinks and flirt with girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Find a couple and then leave
Put some 'dro in the air, then catch a few slugs
Smoke marijuana, then engage in gunfire
Ay, ay, ay, pull over right here, I gotta take a pee
Stop the car here, I need to urinate
And don't go nowhere, nigga wait for me
And don't leave, wait for me
And if some niggaz do kill you in the next few minutes
And if someone kills you in the next few minutes
Just remember my nigga, it's a heaven for a G
Remember, my friend, there is a heaven for a gangster
Ay ay, hold this right there I'll be
Hold on to this for a moment, I'll return
I'll be right back, I gotta take a piss man hold on
I will return shortly, I need to urinate, wait a moment
Fo' sho, ay man, ay don't leave I'll be right back
Definitely, hey don't leave, I'll return soon
Ay, don't leave I'll be back
Hey, don't go away, I will return
Hurry your ass up man, damn
Hurry up, damn
Coolest nigga what, Coolest nigga what
I am the coolest guy, the coolest guy
Coolest nigga what, hustla fo' life, ay man
The coolest guy, a hustler for life, hey man
Aiyyo, nigga hurry yo' ass up, man
Hey, hurry up
Cool ass nigga man, fuckin' three in the mornin'
Cool guy, it's fucking three in the morning
Coolest muh'fucker in the world man
The coolest person in the world, man
Niggaz ain't fuckin' with me man
Nobody can compete with me, man
Nigga high, smokin' fly ass car
I am intoxicated, driving a stylish car
I run these motherfuckin' streets
I control these streets
Niggaz out here lookin' for me
People are searching for me
Nigga, I wish a motherfucker would
I want someone to test me
Ay nigga hurry yo' ass up, nigga, damn
Hey, hurry up, damn
Wassup now, nigga?
What's the situation now?
Ain't too cool now, is you nigga?
You're not feeling so cool now, are you?
Contributed by Nora S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DASHURiiA -TTV
I'm so fucking sad right now. This song is not on SPOTIFY!!!!!!!!!!!!! My heart has legit been broke.
AGFROMDA I.E
Facts
jalen johnson
Still 🔥 in 2020