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.
If You Want To Feat. Pharell & Travis Barker
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No wine in the cupboard, everything of mine must show signs of the suffer
And keep you oppressed to the other, struggle
To keep it all fresh like tupper
One of the tougher ginger bread men out the cutter,
Skin ain't Huck Finn but I ain't Nigger Jim mother fucker
I'm more like clubber from the upper cut of the gutter
Never can't tell I won't bow down to the bull like Calculta
So tar, tar, rev and roar
I know that sounds fucked up like a raptor/rap tour?
But there's no roof clips if I lose so I choose
To keep on seeing red like crips in
Ha!
He the guy who rise to eye pools
Hey I must admit it, I ain't sayin I'm the best OH!
Niggas just jealous, 'cause what I got restin on my neck OH!
'Cause it took me from down on the ground to soarin' like a G4!
Mug if you want to, bug if you want to, chill if you want to
Strug if you want to, build if you want to, joke if you want to
Disrespect me, that's what you wan' do
Been around the world the things that I've seen
These things get turned into things that I sing
Things stringed together with similes in between
Then ming with the thing
Since little green marines I
Been, mean, jing ming, ring, ling, string, bean, dream, team, bling, bling, 3, rings, ring, ling
So move towards it, I had to root for it like my home team, now they all lean,
Singin' that Queen, Somebody to Love, Rhapsody Boheem, we are Champeens,
Ya'll that worried bout the dust better stay on your scene?
I drop the lyric with
You can document it, call it Bye Bo Leen?
I got the spirit I fly over Wayne
It's the fly MC
I must admit it, I ain't sayin I'm the best OH!
Niggas just jealous, 'cause what I got restin on my neck OH!
'Cause it took me from down on the ground to soarin' like a G4!
Mug if you want to, bug if you want to, chill if you want to
Strug if you want to, build if you want to, joke if you want to
Disrespect me, that's what you wan' do
I'm preforming mama, now everybody know me mama,
All these hoes on me mama, why the hell you ain't want me mama, hey
I'm preforming mama, now everybody know me mama,
All these hoes on me mama, why the hell you ain't want me mama
Success is my friend, who knew that when I grew up I'd be just like him
Expect my roar if you reject my whim, errect my law, respect my pim
I bring the pain, Method Men, I bring the pain
S&M, jump the family one of my bestest friends,
Try and kill us all your deaths breaks in, I'll just reply with excess winds
Please God correct my sins to protect my kin, as they keep thinking
My leg
I must admit it, I ain't sayin I'm the best OH!
Niggas just jealous, 'cause what I got restin on my neck OH!
'Cause it took me from down on the ground to soarin' like a G4!
Mug if you want to, bug if you want to, chill if you want to
Strug if you want to, build if you want to, joke if you want to
Disrespect me, that's what you wan' do
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's "If You Want To" feature a series of powerful and introspective lines that touch upon the struggles and challenges the artist has faced throughout his career. The verses talk about the struggle to make it in the music industry and the constant pressure to stay relevant and on top of the game. There is a sense of defiance and a refusal to bow down to the expectations of what the music industry demands of an artist. Instead, Lupe Fiasco chooses to pave his own path and stay true to himself.
Lupe Fiasco's verses are full of complex wordplay and metaphors that tap into his innermost thoughts and feelings. Whether he is comparing himself to a clubber from the gutter or talking about the things he has seen in the world, there is a raw and unfiltered quality to his lyrics that makes them stand out. The chorus, delivered by Pharell and Travis Barker, adds to the intensity of the song with its driving beat and catchy melody.
Overall, "If You Want To" is a powerful commentary on the struggles and challenges of making it in the music industry. The lyrics express a sense of resilience and a refusal to conform to what others expect of an artist. It is an anthem for anyone who has faced adversity and come out on the other side stronger.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mind's all a flutter no pigs on the gig, no swine for the supper
You're preoccupied but there are no easy solutions.
No wine in the cupboard, everything of mine must show signs of the suffer
I'm struggling and everything I have reflects that.
And keep you oppressed to the other, struggle
The struggle keeps people oppressed and separated.
To keep it all fresh like tupper
I try to keep my perspective fresh like leftover food in tupperware.
One of the tougher ginger bread men out the cutter,
I'm tough despite looking soft like a gingerbread man.
Skin ain't Huck Finn but I ain't Nigger Jim mother fucker
I'm not like either of those characters in Huckleberry Finn, but I won't use their names as slurs.
I'm more like clubber from the upper cut of the gutter
I'm like Clubber Lang from Rocky, a fighter from a tough background.
Never can't tell I won't bow down to the bull like Calculta
I won't bow down to resistance like a bull in Calcutta.
That ain't what I'm rapping for, I'd rather be a matador
I'm not trying to fight, I'd rather be like a matador who creates art with his movements.
So tar, tar, rev and roar
I'll keep pushing, revving up.
I know that sounds fucked up like a raptor/rap tour?
I know it sounds weird.
But there's no roof clips if I lose so I choose
There's nothing holding me down, I can take risks.
To keep on seeing red like crips in
I'll keep my gang affiliation and stay angry like a Crip.
He the guy who rise to eye pools
I'm the guy who inspires people to tears.
Hey I must admit it, I ain't sayin I'm the best OH!
I'm not trying to say I'm the best but...
Niggas just jealous, 'cause what I got restin on my neck OH!
People are jealous of my success.
'Cause it took me from down on the ground to soarin' like a G4!
Success has improved my life immensely.
Mug if you want to, bug if you want to, chill if you want to
You can do what you want.
Strug if you want to, build if you want to, joke if you want to
You can struggle or build, joke or be serious - anything is allowed.
Disrespect me, that's what you wan' do
But if you disrespect me, that's your choice.
Been around the world the things that I've seen
I've seen a lot due to my success.
These things get turned into things that I sing
I incorporate my experiences into my music.
Things stringed together with similes in between
I use similes to connect these experiences.
Then ming with the thing
And all these things blend together.
Since little green marines I
I've been sturdy and tough since I was a child.
Been, mean, jing ming, ring, ling, string, bean, dream, team, bling, bling, 3, rings, ring, ling
I've been through a lot of different things.
So move towards it, I had to root for it like my home team, now they all lean,
I had to work hard to get where I am now.
Singin' that Queen, Somebody to Love, Rhapsody Boheem, we are Champeens,
Now people sing my praises.
Ya'll that worried bout the dust better stay on your scene?
If you're concerned about minor details, you should stay in your own lane.
I drop the lyric with
My lyrics are powerful.
You can document it, call it Bye Bo Leen?
Go ahead and document my rise to success.
I got the spirit I fly over Wayne
I'm untouchable like I'm flying over Wayne Gretzky.
It's the fly MC
I'm a cool and badass MC.
I'm preforming mama, now everybody know me mama,
Now that I'm successful, everyone knows who I am.
All these hoes on me mama, why the hell you ain't want me mama, hey
Now all these people want to be associated with me, but my mom didn't want me before.
Success is my friend, who knew that when I grew up I'd be just like him
Success is now a part of me.
Expect my roar if you reject my whim, errect my law, respect my pim
If you reject me, I'll come back even stronger.
I bring the pain, Method Men, I bring the pain
I bring the pain like my fellow rapper Method Man.
S&M, jump the family one of my bestest friends,
I'm a part of a S&M and one of my friends is a prominent figure in the music industry.
Try and kill us all your deaths breaks in, I'll just reply with excess winds
If you try to harm us, I'll fight back with even more force.
Please God correct my sins to protect my kin, as they keep thinking
I ask for divine guidance and protection for my family.
My leg
The line is cut off and doesn't make full sense.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRAVIS BARKER, WASALU JACO, PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Rubio
Good music isn't played on the radios. This is gold!
Sanjay Campbell
No bro, diamond
Rayanna
I remember listening to this song when I was younger & absolutely loving it. I still do to this day
Marky Love
Just found this gem!! Gonna bump this through 2022!
Art Williams
Travis, Lupe and Pharrell is just 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
BRIAN_WRIGHT
Dig this! Sounds like Latin, funk, and hip-hop all wrapped in one!
Takunda Ababio
don't forget Rock !
ZΔCH
This Shit Still Goes Hard...Even In 2015!!
Lou Doug
This shit still goes hard in 2021!
Reflexion libap
@Lou Doug 2023