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.
Imagine
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back (yeah, yea yea yea yeah)
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back
Man, fuck college! We finna do this rap shit
My mind's like 5 mics, rhyme tight, fuck it
Limelight, shine bright, life shore, love it
This feeling with experiences
Balls in my hand like the grand prize game, aiming for pocket sixes
Throw backs, all that, you know when I say
Back in the day, you know exactly where I go at
Expanding my vocabulary
Rapping every word of the magazine covers down at Walgreens
That's a .357 Magnum like Tackleberry
Academics took a backseat like Hightower
I flowered my power, yeah yeah yeah yeah
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back (yeah, yea yea yea yeah)
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back
(I'ma do the same thing, I'ma do the same thing)
Yo, we got a contract on the table from Atlantic Records
What do you think?
Well every rose has its thorn, and if I could be reborn
I mean to be the king, even Jesus puts 'em on
So, Atlantic ocean motion might make you sell funny
Betcha didn't know the advance went straight to bail money
That's right, to free Chilly Chill
And to do it all again, I would sign another deal
Still kinda paranoid from when they leaked my tape
Jeopardize being friendly just to keep mine safe
When keeping it real goes right, I couldn't keep my faith
By third album I was done, you shoulda seen my face
Fuck Craig, fuck rap, fuck this, fuck that
Fuck your 360 deal, nigga, that shit wack
I was Truth.com with no backup plan
Got blackballed, couldn't find a job, tryna backup dance
That shit was crazy, thanks to my back-up fans
I guess what lawyers can't do, (we are Anonymous) the hackers can
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back (yeah, yea yea yea yeah)
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back
(I'ma do the same thing, I'ma do the same thing)
You wouldn't change nothin'? Like nothin'!?
Well, that's not totally true
Young Lupe, I wish I could be totally you
But that's the way it works, came to bring the pain, that's the way it hurts
Picking in the scabs from the past just gon' make it worse
Can't be 21 every time I sit and make a verse
When I did that song with NumbaNine, I was tryna break the curse
The good don't make it out of the hood unless the hood make it out you first
All you needs just to believe that you can leave
Crown B and Es made me believe that I could lead
Righteous deeds, planting seeds for good society
So you see that I can't be totally new
'Cause there's a future Lupe out there that wanna be both of me too
And nobody really knows what the future holds
All the future sends for our future souls
And what I am doing now I couldn't do before
What would you do, man, if you could go?
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back (yeah, yea yea yea yeah)
If I coulda, brought it back
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
If I coulda, brought it back
(I'ma do the same thing, I'ma do the same thing)
The opening lines of the song "Imagine" by Lupe Fiasco and Crystal Torres speaks about bringing the past back to change it. However, the artist says they wouldn't change anything as they would do the same things again. The lyrics talk about ignoring college to pursue a career in the rap industry. The artist's mind is at the peak of its creativity and they exude confidence by asserting that they have the power to make their dreams come true.
The song also touches upon the mistakes the artist has made in their past, such as being paranoid, getting blackballed, and being unable to find a backup job. The lyrics represent the past, present, and future of the artist's life. The rapper acknowledges that they are currently living in the present, and there's a future version of them that wants to become everything they are now. This is a powerful message that encourages listeners not to regret their past mistakes but to strive towards becoming their ideal future selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagine, imagine
Using repetition to emphasize the power of imagination and possibility
If I coulda, brought it back
Reflecting on past choices and considering the opportunity to change them
I wouldn't change a fucking thing
Accepting the consequences of past choices and finding value in the journey
Man, fuck college! We finna do this rap shit
Rejecting societal norms and pursuing a career in music
My mind's like 5 mics, rhyme tight, fuck it
Proudly boasting about lyrical skills and confidence
Limelight, shine bright, life shore, love it
Embracing success and the glamorous lifestyle that accompanies it
This feeling with experiences
Appreciating the experiences that come with success
Balls in my hand like the grand prize game, aiming for pocket sixes
Using a metaphor to describe taking chances and aiming for success
Throw backs, all that, you know when I say
Nostalgically reminiscing about the past and shared experiences
Expanding my vocabulary
Demonstrating a commitment to self-improvement and intellectual growth
Rapping every word of the magazine covers down at Walgreens
Showing a passion for rap music and a dedication to honing skills
That's a .357 Magnum like Tackleberry
Making a reference to a pop culture icon to illustrate personal power
Academics took a backseat like Hightower
Acknowledging a shift in priorities towards the pursuit of music
I flowered my power, yeah yeah yeah yeah
An exclamation of personal growth and increased confidence
Yo, we got a contract on the table from Atlantic Records
Discussing a significant business opportunity
What do you think?
Asking for input and seeking advice
Well every rose has its thorn, and if I could be reborn
Reflecting on the balance of positive and negative experiences in life
I mean to be the king, even Jesus puts 'em on
Aspiring for greatness and acknowledging the power of leadership
So, Atlantic ocean motion might make you sell funny
Acknowledging the potential downside of signing with a major label
Betcha didn't know the advance went straight to bail money
Using humor to reflect on personal struggles and challenges
And to do it all again, I would sign another deal
Despite the challenges, still valuing the success and experiences gained
Still kinda paranoid from when they leaked my tape
The negative impact of past experiences on current mindset and behavior
Jeopardize being friendly just to keep mine safe
Sacrificing personal relationships for the sake of success and protection
Fuck Craig, fuck rap, fuck this, fuck that
Expressing frustration and disillusionment with the industry and personal experiences
Fuck your 360 deal, nigga, that shit wack
Rejecting industry norms and business practices that feel exploitative
I was Truth.com with no backup plan
Emphasizing a commitment to honesty and authenticity in music
Got blackballed, couldn't find a job, tryna backup dance
Describing the challenges of the industry and personal struggles with finding success
That shit was crazy, thanks to my back-up fans
Appreciating the support and dedication of fans during tough times
I guess what lawyers can't do, (we are Anonymous) the hackers can
Reflecting on the power of technology and the internet in terms of activism and support
You wouldn't change nothin'? Like nothin'!?
Expressing skepticism and challenge to the earlier sentiment of not changing past choices
Well, that's not totally true
Clarifying and expressing a more nuanced view on the issue
Young Lupe, I wish I could be totally you
Reflecting on past aspirations and the passage of time
But that's the way it works, came to bring the pain, that's the way it hurts
Acknowledging the ups and downs of life and the personal journey
Picking in the scabs from the past just gon' make it worse
Advising against dwelling on past pain and instead moving forward
Can't be 21 every time I sit and make a verse
Recognizing the passage of time and personal growth through experience
When I did that song with NumbaNine, I was tryna break the curse
Reflecting on the creative process and personal motivation for creating music
The good don't make it out of the hood unless the hood make it out you first
Addressing systemic issues and reflecting on the impact of personal success on the community
All you needs just to believe that you can leave
Encouraging belief in oneself and the possibility of personal success
Crown B and Es made me believe that I could lead
Acknowledging the people and experiences that have helped shape personal beliefs and aspirations
Righteous deeds, planting seeds for good society
Emphasizing the value and importance of social responsibility and activism
So you see that I can't be totally new
Reflecting on personal growth and acknowledging the lasting impact of past experiences
'Cause there's a future Lupe out there that wanna be both of me too
Recognizing personal influence and the potential for impacting future generations
And nobody really knows what the future holds
Acknowledging the uncertainty of the future and the need to adapt and adjust
All the future sends for our future souls
Considering the impact of future experiences on personal growth and well-being
And what I am doing now I couldn't do before
Reflecting on personal growth and the skills and experiences gained along the way
What would you do, man, if you could go?
Pondering the hypothetical and considering personal growth and potential choices
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, Crystal Torres
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind