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.
Hater
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then I write it, pimping
Then I record it, dirty
Then it's a song!
But then they hate on me
Cuz they can't take, homie
That I might break, homie
From my home
Which is the west side
F I wicked as the witches from the
West side in the wizard
You see I live it, scribble it
Deliver it, then I distribute it
To my niggas, But yet I
For the life of me
Can't understand the rivalry
Said about my number one fan, my man
He used to ride with me
But now he spitefully uses fighting words to frighten me
Slightly perturbed I war at his words rightfully
I should be lightning like in his ass
But I pass and lightly brush off the ash
From the square of that square
You see I really don't care
But it's a whole lot of insulted niggas over here
Bear in mind some of them mind, all of them won't
Some of them rhyme, all of them don't
Most of them grind, all of them inclined
To see you signed and combined
To be on your ass so serious
You see I live it, Charlie
And then I write it, pimping
Then I record it, dirty
Then it's a song!
But then they hate on me
Cuz they can't take, homie
That I might break, homie
From my home
Lupe Fiasco's song Hater is about the struggle that comes with success. The lyrics explain that the artist lives his lyrics, writes them down, and delivers them to his fans to make a song. However, he also highlights that there are people who do not like him (haters) and who resent his success. Despite their opinion, they cannot take his talent away from him, and he is still determined to succeed regardless.
Lupe emphasizes the rivalry between himself and his fans. He is perplexed about why there is resentment towards him, even from his closest ally, who used to be his number one fan. However, now he uses fighting words to instill fear in him. Although he is slightly perturbed by his words, he disregards them, and he doesn't let it deter him from his goals.
Lupe Fiasco implies that he believes his talent is genuine, and he lives it out every day. He writes lyrics about what he sees and experiences, and he delivers them to his fans in the form of music. His critics are threatened by his confidence and success, and he chooses not to be swayed by their opinions.
Overall, the song Hater is an introspective look at the struggles of success and the criticism that comes with it. Lupe Fiasco acknowledges the hatred from his detractors but is not swayed by it. Instead, he focuses on his talent and his ability to share it with his fans.
Line by Line Meaning
See I live it, Charlie
I experience the things I rap about.
And then I write it, pimping
I put my experiences into lyrics in a creative way.
Then I record it, dirty
I produce the song, which has an unpolished, raw quality.
Then it's a song!
My experiences and thoughts become a piece of music.
But then they hate on me
People criticize and attack me.
Cuz they can't take, homie
They cannot handle or accept the truth in my lyrics.
That I might break, homie
That I may lose my way in life.
From my home - Which is the west side
My neighborhood is on the west side of the city.
F I wicked as the witches from the West side in the wizard
My enemies see me as a powerful and malevolent figure like a witch in a wizard story set on the west side.
You see I live it, scribble it
I write down my experiences as soon as they happen.
Deliver it, then I distribute it
I share my music with my friends and fans.
To my niggas, But yet I
I give my music to my close friends.
For the life of me
No matter how hard I try.
Can't understand the rivalry
I cannot comprehend why people are against me.
Said about my number one fan, my man
My own friend is spreading rumors about me.
He used to ride with me
He used to support me but now he is against me.
But now he spitefully uses fighting words to frighten me
He uses mean words to try and intimidate me.
Slightly perturbed I war at his words rightfully
I am angry and fight back against his attacks.
I should be lightning like in his ass
I should hurt him badly.
But I pass and lightly brush off the ash
I choose to let go of the negativity and not retaliate.
From the square of that square
From the center of that conflict.
You see I really don't care
I do not let the hate bother me.
But it's a whole lot of insulted niggas over here
My friends and supporters are angry and upset about the situation.
Bear in mind some of them mind, all of them won't
Some will care about the situation, some will not.
Some of them rhyme, all of them don't
Some of my friends are rappers, some are not.
Most of them grind, all of them inclined
Most of my friends work hard at their craft, all of them are inclined to support me.
To see you signed and combined
To see me succeed and become even better.
To be on your ass so serious
To support me and make sure I am successful.
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Preston Garvey
one 16 bar verse ended someone's hope, and he wasn't even really dissing the man! Lupe is crazy on the tracks, man!! there's no stopping him.
HedgehogDiIemma
Wow. I already knew Lupe was one of the best and underrated out there, but this is just another example of his diversity. He can rhyme about whatever he wants, but can also thrash someone who steps to him with little to null effort. 10 bars of destruction.
Isaiah Morales
Gat Damn Lu is a straight up beast! Best Rapper alive! This boy can Spit!
MacTownAmbassador
It's official like a referee with a whistle. I'm a Lupe Fiasco fan now. He destroyed that beat wit a 10 bar verse
John Mullins
KILLS IT!
lilpac90
T.K got a lyrical K.O. Lupe is definitely underrated, but he is not the only one(Lowkey, Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind tricks etc.).
cam adajio
TK will probably regret messing with Lupe everyday of his life after this. lol Lupe is untouchable
Soul Power
FIRE!!!
EC91Inf3kt3d93TO
Never even knew this was the shot back at TK but damn. Now that I know TK just stay out the studio.
LexusP
lol man Lu effortlessly smashed on TK.. in one verse.... and he wasnt really throwin too many punches