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.
ITAL
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
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I see a dream ITAL watching over me
Back nigga
Yeah, hey, can we get a little break
From the cocaine and the kilos
Aight nigga, we know
Aight nigga, we know
Aight nigga, we know
Okay nigga, we know
Hey shawty, ain't no future in no gang-bang
And ain't no manhood in no bang-bang
Ain't no honor cleanin' interstates inside a chain-gang
Know some rap niggas put that shit inside your mainframe
Pills make you stupid and liquor do the same thing
'Raris too expensive and they way too hard to maintain
Get yourself a Camry, "nigga said a Camry?"
Watch that ho depreciate and then you'll understand me
It's called being fiscally responsible
Don't let these lying images up in hip-hop here conquer you
The TV's not your father fool, that video's not your momma
Try your best to be a man and your worst to be a monster
May we have some roses for the ladies
A little appreciation for the gentlemen
And here's some kisses for the babies
Some peacenality for the whole wide-wide-wide world
More patience to the youth, sympathy for the poor
Empathy for the old, more justice for the down and pressed
Treat no liar ITAL, ah ya!
I know you're sayin', “Lupe rappin' 'bout the same shit”
Well, that's 'cause ain't shit changed, bitch
And please don't excuse my language
'Cause I would hate for you to misrepresent
The true expression of my anguish
And by this far I ain't shocked, upset, or appalled
I'm ashamed, bitch
I can't listen if you ain't sayin' shit
And recognize all this emptiness is dangerous
Ain't buildin' up they confidence, we teachin' 'em that they ain't shit
If they ain't got the latest that they saw on someone famous
Mercy of the Lord on this double-edged sword
Instead of askin' where the hoes is
Maybe maybe we could ask for roses
May we have some roses for the ladies
A little appreciation for the gentlemen
And here's some kisses for the babies
Some peacenality for the whole wide-wide-wide world
More patience to the youth, sympathy for the poor
Empathy for the old, more justice for the down and pressed
Treat no liar ITAL, ah ya!
May we have some roses for the ladies
A little appreciation for the gentlemen
And here's some kisses for the babies
Some peacenality for the whole wide-wide-wide world
Called the president a terrorist
Corporate sponsors like, how the fuck you gon' embarrass us?
Ain't my fault, I was just repeatin' this
Professor Emeritus from America
But my tone was like an Afghani kid without a home
Blew that bitch up with a drone
An Iraqi with no daddy, Palestinian throwing stones
The fuck you think they call him, I'mma leave that all alone
'Cause this, the focus on this new shit is that hopeless
Place that I was born into systematic brokenness
Took that downpression and developed it to dopeness
It's that great American rap-rap ferocious
May we have some roses for the ladies
A little appreciation for the gentlemen
And here's some kisses for the babies
Some peacenality for the whole wide-wide-wide world
More patience to the youth, sympathy for the poor
Empathy for the old, more justice for the down and pressed
Treat no liar ITAL, ah ya!
In Lupe Fiasco's "ITAL," he is commenting on the current state of the world and the negative influences prevalent in society. He starts off with a tribute to the Black Panther party and its revolutionary spirit, suggesting that he sees its dream still alive and watching over him. Then he calls for a break from the cycle of drugs, violence, and objectification of women in hip-hop culture, acknowledging that these things are well-known but still pervasive. He also advises the youth to not get caught up in gang life and "cleaning interstates inside a chain-gang," urging them to strive for something better.
Lupe then takes a look at the bigger picture, commenting on the fake images promoted by hip-hop culture and the media at large. He encourages fiscal responsibility rather than trying to keep up with the false representations of wealth in music videos. He also calls for more empathy, justice, and peace in the world, asking for less focus on the negative and more on positive action. In the end, he takes a jab at American foreign policy and the systemic oppression that he sees as the root of so many social problems, but also advocates for taking that negativity and turning it into something positive.
Line by Line Meaning
Black panther, black panther, what do you see?
Looking at the spirit of the Black Panther, I visualize an inspiring dream that shields and guards me.
I see a dream ITAL watching over me
The dream stands for peace, love and unity I wish the whole world could share.
Aight nigga, we know
We already know we do not want to indulge in drugs and superficial attractions.
Hey shawty, ain't no future in no gang-bang
Being involved in gangs is not wise because it only leads to a dead-end with no fruitful results.
Know some rap niggas put that shit inside your mainframe
Realize that some rappers pollute the minds of their listeners with lies and fake images of living lavish lifestyles.
Get yourself a Camry, "nigga said a Camry?"
Instead of succumbing to peer pressure to buy expensive flashy cars, buy a practical car like a Camry to save money and stay financially responsible.
More patience to the youth, sympathy for the poor
We need to have more empathy for those who are less fortunate and be patient with young people learning their way in life.
And please don't excuse my language ITAL,
I apologize for my use of profanity but I need to express the depth of my feelings on this issue.
I'm ashamed, bitch
I feel disheartened and embarrassed by the lack of meaningful content in some of today's popular music.
Ain't buildin' up they confidence, we teachin' 'em that they ain't shit
Instead of building children's self-esteem, we teach them that material possessions determine their worth as human beings.
Mercy of the Lord on this double-edged sword
It's difficult navigating the sharp contrast between materialism and spirituality in modern society.
Maybe maybe we could ask for roses
Instead of looking for the wrong things in life, we should appreciate the beauty and positivity that exists around us.
Called the president a terrorist
The media sensationalizes certain events, leading some to label the president as a terrorist.
Ain't my fault, I was just repeatin' this
I was simply quoting what someone else said, so the blame is not all on me for spreading misinformation.
But my tone was like an Afghani kid without a home
I spoke with the same sense of longing and displacement that many children in war-torn countries experience.
It's that great American rap-rap ferocious
Hip-hop is a major part of American culture that can spark positive change by addressing societal issues.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER STEVEN BROWN, WASALU MUHAMMAD JACO, LARRANCE DOPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind