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.
Fighters
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the lovers are on the ground
No one will save you anymore
So wha'ts happenin', whachu you rappin about
Lets see boy
Is it cars, is it girls
Is it money
The world
Or is it somethin they could never believe
Or is it somethin you could never achieve
Is it beyond your means, is it inside your dreams
Can it never come out cause its scared to, unprepared to
To worry about the words of the people is weird too
You don't want em to hear you
You just wish it was a door that would appear
That you can go disappear through
Well I'm feelin your pain, I was feelin the same
When the fighters all around
All the lovers are on the ground
No one will save you anymore
So what's happenin', whachu you rappin about
Lets see boy
Is it cars, is it girls
Is it money
The world
Man, I really miss my pops
Hope that god watches over him and that hes on top
That there is no more disease and that he's alright
That hes one of the generals inside the army of the light
And grandma, you know I had to bite somethin from ya
So after every show its peace, and much love to ya
Auntie tweetys on the way please look out for that girl
I know we'll meet again so it's never me against the world
When the fighters all around
All the lovers are on the ground
No one will save you anymore
So what's happenin', whachu you rappin about
Lets see boy
Is it cars, is it girls
Is it money
The world
I hope that god forgive us all of us sinners
Turn us back into beginners put us up where the winners go
Holy apartments in the gardens in which the rivers flow
Thank you for all your blessins and all of your miracles
I thank all my fans and all my supports
Shout out to bishop g congrats on ya new baby daughter
I tip my hat to all my family and friends
Now we just got one more to go l-u-p-END
When the fighters all around
All the lovers are on the ground
No one will save you anymore
So what's happenin', whachu you rappin about
Lets see boy
Is it cars, is it girls
Is it money
The world
The lyrics of Lupe Fiasco’s “Fighters” seem to be reflective of the rapper and his own struggles. It talks about fighters around, lovers on the ground with no one to save you. The first few lines are a challenge to the rapper to explain what he is rapping about. He wonders if it’s about material things like cars, girls or money or is it something they could never believe or achieve. The lyrics suggest that the rapper is struggling with the desire to express himself and his art while worrying about how others perceive his message. He wishes there was a way to escape from the pressure to perform and be heard through a magical disappearing door.
The second verse, however, becomes more personal as the rapper talks about his late father, hoping he is okay and that there is no more disease. He shares a message of peace and love for his grandmother and aunt, thanking them for their influence on his life. The final verse is a prayer, asking God to forgive all of their sins, turn them back into beginners, and bless them. Finally, the rapper ends his rap with a shout-out to his family, friends, and fans, and he signs off with “L-U-P-END.”
Line by Line Meaning
When the fighters all around
In a time of turmoil and struggle
All the lovers are on the ground
In time of chaos and war, even those who choose love and compassion are suffering
No one will save you anymore
There is no one to save you from the harsh reality
So wha'ts happenin', whachu you rappin about
What's going on? What are you rapping about?
Is it cars, is it girls
Are you rapping about materialistic things like cars or women?
Is it money
Or are you rapping about money?
The world
Or do you have something deeper to say about the state of the world?
Or is it somethin they could never believe
Do you have a message that is hard for people to believe?
Or is it somethin you could never achieve
Are you rapping about something you cannot achieve?
Is it beyond your means, is it inside your dreams
Is your message beyond your current ability or is it something that only exists in your dreams?
Can it never come out cause its scared to, unprepared to
Are you afraid to share your message because it is unprepared or scared to come out?
To worry about the words of the people is weird too
It is strange to constantly worry about what other people think
You don't want em to hear you
You don't want people to hear what you have to say
You just wish it was a door that would appear
You wish there was an easy way out
That you can go disappear through
So you could disappear from the spotlight
Well I'm feelin your pain, I was feelin the same
I understand your pain, I have been there too
Man, I really miss my pops
I really miss my father
Hope that god watches over him and that hes on top
I hope my father is in heaven and doing well
That there is no more disease and that he's alright
I hope he is no longer suffering from any illness
That hes one of the generals inside the army of the light
I hope my father is with the angels in heaven
And grandma, you know I had to bite somethin from ya
Grandma, you were an inspiration to me
So after every show its peace, and much love to ya
I share my love and peace with you after every concert
Auntie tweetys on the way please look out for that girl
Auntie Tweety, please take care of that girl who is on her way (possibly a family member)
I know we'll meet again so it's never me against the world
I have faith that we will meet again so I am never alone in this world
I hope that god forgive us all of us sinners
I hope God forgives all of our sins
Turn us back into beginners put us up where the winners go
May God make us innocent again and lead us to be winners
Holy apartments in the gardens in which the rivers flow
May God lead us to a heavenly home where natural beauty exists
Thank you for all your blessins and all of your miracles
Thank you God for all of your blessings and miracles
I thank all my fans and all my supports
I am thankful for my fans and supporters
Shout out to bishop g congrats on ya new baby daughter
Congratulations to Bishop G on the birth of his new daughter
I tip my hat to all my family and friends
I show gratitude to all of my family and friends
Now we just got one more to go l-u-p-END
Now we just have one more thing to say, L-U-P END
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rudolph Loyola Lopez, Wasalu Jaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DJMPTV
I told Lupe when I met him this was the first song I played after I lost my father in the physical form. He put his hand to his heart, I could see the sincereness in his face. Great brother, he has made so many classic songs! Thank you Lupe!
@wasabiD
+DJMPTV Lupe Fiasco knows the feels. You can tell by his music. Sorry for your loss man.
@PerspectiveMuse
Bro i played this song too when my pops passed away too. it makes me feel so good! Lupe is the man!
@DJMPTV
+Wasabi D Appreciate that thank you!
@DJMPTV
+Umer Farooq Sorry to hear that brother it's one the toughest things there is, but happy we both could play this and smile!
@PerspectiveMuse
DJMPTV It really is ,thanks brother means a lot you do the same. Lets stay positive and become good successful people like our pops would have wanted us to become.
@EdwardXVI
"Man, I really miss my pops hope that God watches over him and that he's on top that there is no more disease and that he's alright That he's one of the generals inside the Army of the Light" Brought a tear to my eye.
@umerqureshi2012
Same
@maxjohansen9475
If you’re listening to this in 2023, congrats on making it this far, peace and much love to ya.
@StephenVTran
This song takes me back, I was a lot younger and was going through things, this whole album and Lupe in general helped me out a lot. Thanks wherever you are.