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.
Just Might Be OK
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe we are completed, dig
We all in agreement on the wallpaper
Happy with the color scheme, welcome to the crib
A two family Habitat For Humanity
With a view of where the insanity live
My vida loca was built like Bob Vila via God
He architected, I arted what I harbored, Jimmy Carter
We hold the coming like contracepts
I'm conscious, 'cept the cons I kept
With conversations held with the Satan on my shoulder
Which lead to steps that kept me looking over the shoulder
Like chauffeurs, where my angels at
Painful yet Mary I ain't Jerry Garcia, ma
Here but I'm grateful, chuuch!
We just might be OK, after all
Sun gone shine, on this day
It's finna get heavy as heaven
I am Atlas at this manage to balance
Massive masses pull my back with out tilting my glasses
This was not pilfered from passages of OG's, this is so me
Ask us many mention little homie, little bony
But the rhymes is fat, in fact
Just like a Rochester customer
God bless the mothers and younger brothers of hustlers
'Cause she don't wan' sob at his wake
But he want to follow in his steps
Bang his hat, learn his shakes
Master his swagger in the bathroom mirror
Cop a Chevy, steady mob in his place
Yeah, it's just the problems we face
Look his moms in her face and promise he's straight
We just might be OK, after all
Sun gone shine, on this day
Then he leaves the house that love built that
HUD renovated that section 8 pays for
Well let's pray for 'em, let the beat play for 'em
Put his struggles on display for 'em
Cause he gotta go and face the drama
With a different face from the one that he use
To face his momma, if you look close you'll see
It consist of a smile that hurts, an ice grill, and a trace of trauma
Little bit of his father, another criterion
That's no different from a young Liberian
Who let the delirium weary him, living in the inner city
Out of his mind, liria reconcilia
I'm cool, I don't foretell best
I ain't nicest MC, I ain't Cornel West
I am Cornel Westside, Chi-town Guevara
Malcolm exorcise the demons, gangsta leaning
He traded in his kufi for a New Era
Chose a 44 over a mortarboard
I ain't a credited institute graduate, I ain't from Nazareth
My conception wasn't immaculate, I ain't master no calculus
A good addition to the rap audience
I back flipped on the mattress they slept on me on
Whaddown Joe, knowing is half the battle
Fighting temptation, have an apple
Shakes the snakes, pimp the system
Let's get into it, tabernacle
We just might be OK, after all
Sun gone shine, on this day
The lyrics to the song "Just Might Be OK" by Lupe Fiasco ft Gemini For 1st and 15th Productions Inc describe the challenges of living in inner-city Chicago and the hope for a better future. The song also highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. Lupe Fiasco describes growing up on the west side of Chicago and how his life was built like Bob Vila but with the help of God. He uses metaphors to describe the struggles he faced growing up, including conversations with the devil and looking over his shoulder.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "We just might be okay, after all" suggests that despite the hardships that come with inner-city living, there is still hope for a better tomorrow. The second verse of the song talks about the struggles of young men growing up in inner-city Chicago and the legacy of their fathers. The verse mentions a young man trying to follow in his father's footsteps but also trying to forge his own path. The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency and the need to keep pushing forward despite the odds.
Overall, the song "Just Might Be OK" is a powerful commentary on the resilience of the human spirit and the hope for a better future even in the face of extreme adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Affirmative no further furnishing is needed
I don't need anything else, we're done.
I believe we are completed, dig
I think we're finished, you understand?
We all in agreement on the wallpaper
We all agree on the wallpaper.
Happy with the color scheme, welcome to the crib
We like the color scheme, welcome to the house.
A two family Habitat For Humanity
This is a Habitat for Humanity home for two families.
With a view of where the insanity live
But there's still crime nearby.
My vida loca was built like Bob Vila via God
My crazy life was built by God like Bob Vila built homes.
He architected, I arted what I harbored, Jimmy Carter
God built it, I just gave it my own artistic touch like Jimmy Carter building homes.
From Chicago's west side, finish my construction now
I'm from the west side of Chicago and my life is still being put together.
We hold the coming like contracepts
We prevent bad things from happening like contraceptives prevent pregnancy.
I'm conscious, 'cept the cons I kept
I'm aware except for the negative things I kept with me.
With conversations held with the Satan on my shoulder
I've had conversations with Satan and it's pulled me in the wrong direction.
Which lead to steps that kept me looking over the shoulder
That led to actions that made me constantly look over my shoulder.
Like chauffeurs, where my angels at
I need my guardian angels around like chauffeurs.
Painful, yet Mary I ain't Jerry Garcia, ma
It's hard, but I'm not giving up because I'm not Jerry Garcia.
Here but I'm grateful, chuuch!
But I'm still here and thankful.
We just might be OK, after all
Things might turn out okay in the end.
Sun gone shine, on this day
The sun will shine today.
It's finna get heavy as heaven
Things are about to get really hard and tough.
I am Atlas at this manage to balance
I'm like Atlas, trying to keep everything in balance.
Massive masses pull my back with out tilting my glasses
There's a lot of weight on me and it's almost too much to handle.
This was not pilfered from passages of OG's, this is so me
I'm not copying anyone, this is just me.
Ask us many mention little homie, little bony
People often mention me, the little guy.
But the rhymes is fat, in fact
But my rhymes are really good.
Just like a Rochester customer
My rhymes are as good as a satisfied customer in Rochester.
God bless the mothers and younger brothers of hustlers
God bless the families of people who are trying to make it any way they can.
'Cause she don't wan' sob at his wake
Because she doesn't want to cry at his funeral.
But he want to follow in his steps
But he wants to follow in his footsteps.
Bang his hat, learn his shakes
Wear his hat and learn to move like him.
Master his swagger in the bathroom mirror
Practice his style in the bathroom mirror.
Cop a Chevy, steady mob in his place
Get a Chevy car and hang out in his neighborhood.
Yeah, it's just the problems we face
These are the problems we deal with.
Look his moms in her face and promise he's straight
Promise his mom that he's going to be okay.
Then he leaves the house that love built that
Then he leaves the house that love built for him.
HUD renovated that section 8 pays for
HUD renovated it and section 8 pays for it.
Well let's pray for 'em, let the beat play for 'em
Let's pray for him and let the music play for him.
Put his struggles on display for 'em
Show him what he's going through.
Cause he gotta go and face the drama
Because he has to face the difficult situations.
With a different face from the one that he use
With a different expression than he normally uses.
To face his momma, if you look close you'll see
To face his mother, if you look closely you'll see that he's struggling.
It consist of a smile that hurts, an ice grill, and a trace of trauma
He's trying to smile even though it hurts, he looks cold, and he's traumatized.
Little bit of his father, another criterion
He's like his father in some ways.
That's no different from a young Liberian
That's not unlike a young person from Liberia.
Who let the delirium weary him, living in the inner city
Someone who's struggling and delirious, living in an inner city.
Out of his mind, liria reconcilia
Crazy, trying to get it together.
I'm cool, I don't foretell best
I'm good, but I don't know what's going to happen next.
I ain't nicest MC, I ain't Cornel West
I'm not the best rapper and I'm not a famous philosopher like Cornel West.
I am Cornel Westside, Chi-town Guevara
But I'm from the west side of Chicago and I'm like Che Guevara.
Malcolm exorcise the demons, gangsta leaning
Malcolm X helped me get rid of my demons and I'm still a gangsta at heart.
He traded in his kufi for a New Era
He changed his traditional kufi hat for a more modern New Era hat.
Chose a 44 over a mortarboard
He chose a gun over a college degree.
I ain't a credited institute graduate, I ain't from Nazareth
I don't have a college degree and I'm not from a prestigious place like Nazareth.
My conception wasn't immaculate, I ain't master no calculus
I'm not perfect and I'm not a calculus expert.
A good addition to the rap audience
But I'm a good addition to the world of hip hop.
I back flipped on the mattress they slept on me on
I've come a long way since people slept on me and my talent.
Whaddown Joe, knowing is half the battle
Hey Joe, knowing what you're up against is half the battle.
Fighting temptation, have an apple
Fight temptation and have an apple instead of something unhealthy.
Shakes the snakes, pimp the system
Shake off the people trying to take you down and use the system to your advantage.
Let's get into it, tabernacle
Let's get started and get into it.
We just might be OK, after all
Things might turn out okay in the end.
Sun gone shine, on this day
The sun will shine today.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Wasalu Jaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moonshine4686
SIXTEEN YEARS later this sound still slaps the core of my heart
@pSmurf954
Ten years later, still fresh, relevant, and very much needed at this time...
@ai5ha1
This comment was from 5 years ago and this video is still relevant and needed at this very time in 2020..
@BlacklightPropaganda
@e-boogie I was thinking the same thing brotha. 5 more years later.
@Agent00gaming
Mannn THROWBACK
@wills9705
Agent 00 I think you mean "classic"
@tejaybe_sensei
Agent 00 the double agent you can trust. yo bro whats up!
@Agent00gaming
what's good?
@tejaybe_sensei
Agent 00 nm bro. glad to see you on some classic lupe. hope everythings well with you
@ImTacent
Agent 00 shush, agent.