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.
Make Sure
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What up Chuck? FNF up
RKF tux, adjust my cuffs
John Lennon Chucks, Independent Trucks
Yup, a little bit of dust brush my shoulder
Plus, a little bit of church
Uh, I showed you
Just a little bit of what can happen
Expand your horizons with rhyming and rapping
Quit rapping and rhyming bout
Coke and supplying
And clapping is anyone out there
Or are y'all all absent?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last to get away
To some another day?
Or do we know why we love?
Doesn't seem to be conveyed that way
Are we the
Fahrenheit 1 15 part I I I
One time to the FNF army
After party in the Angel Nights RV
Don't forget your cell phones and car keys
Don't forgot to tip the valet
Where you park please i wish you well
Good night, drive safe
A Rhyming Ape t-shirts on sale
In Lupe Fiasco's song "Make Sure," the lyrics touch upon various themes such as self-reflection, questioning societal norms, and the importance of expanding one's perspective. The opening lines express a sense of confidence and pride in his music, represented by the references to Chuck, which could be Chuck D from the rap group Public Enemy, FNF (First and Fifteenth, Lupe's record label), RKF (Righteous Kung-Fu), and John Lennon (a legendary musician). These references indicate Lupe's dedication to his craft and his commitment to staying true to himself.
The lyrics continue to emphasize the importance of opening one's eyes and imagination, encouraging listeners to broaden their horizons by exploring different styles of music, particularly rhyming and rapping. Lupe suggests that artists should move away from glorifying drugs and violence in their lyrics and instead focus on meaningful messages. He questions whether there are others out there who share this sentiment or if everyone is simply absent-mindedly caught up in the mainstream music culture.
The chorus poses thought-provoking questions about the state of humanity. Lupe wonders if we are the last remaining souls who seek enlightenment and understanding or if we are all lost in our own individual pursuits, failing to connect with one another. The lyrics suggest that love and empathy are not adequately expressed in society and that there is a need for deeper connection and understanding.
Overall, "Make Sure" encourages listeners to be more mindful of their actions and the messages they convey through their art. It calls for a shift in perspective, urging artists to use their platforms to promote positivity, empathy, and enlightenment.
Line by Line Meaning
So I think you had enough
I believe you have reached your limit
What up Chuck? FNF up
Greetings Chuck, FNF is strong
RKF tux, adjust my cuffs
Rockin' FNF tuxedo, fixing my sleeves
John Lennon Chucks, Independent Trucks
Wearing John Lennon Chuck Taylors, driving Independent Trucks skateboards
Yup, a little bit of dust brush my shoulder
Yes, a small amount of dirt is removed from my shoulder
Plus, a little bit of church
Additionally, a touch of religious influence
Uh, I showed you
Well, I demonstrated
Just a little bit of what can happen
Only a glimpse of the possibilities
If you open up your eyes and imagine
When you awaken and envision
Expand your horizons with rhyming and rapping
Broaden your perspectives through words and artistry
Quit rapping and rhyming bout
Cease creating music and lyrics about
Coke and supplying
Cocaine and distribution
And clapping is anyone out there
And cheering, is there anyone present
Or are y'all all absent?
Or is everyone missing?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the final remaining human beings?
Are we the last living souls?
Are we the last ones alive?
Are we the last to get away
Are we the final ones to escape
To some another day?
To a different time?
Or do we know why we love?
Do we truly understand the reasons for our affection?
Doesn't seem to be conveyed that way
Doesn't appear to be expressed in that manner
Are we the
Are we
Fahrenheit 1 15 part I I I
Fahrenheit 1 15, third installment
One time to the FNF army
A shoutout to the FNF supporters
After party in the Angel Nights RV
Celebration following in the Angel Nights recreational vehicle
Don't forget your cell phones and car keys
Remember to bring your cell phones and car keys
Don't forgot to tip the valet
Don't neglect to give a gratuity to the valet
Where you park please i wish you well
I hope you have a good time wherever you park
Good night, drive safe
Have a good night, drive carefully
A Rhyming Ape t-shirts on sale
A Rhyming Ape t-shirts available for purchase
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-jy2ef4hh8c
Hook: Lupe Fiasco]
You'd better MAKE SURE your game is tight
Cause you don't wanna risk bein' a lame tonight
Cause that PIMP HAND will smack you down
Make you hit the road, don't come back around
You'd better MAKE SURE your game is tight
Cause you don't wanna risk bein' a lame tonight
Cause that PIMP HAND will lay you low
Don't hate the playa, just the way it go
[Lupe Fiasco: Verse 2]
Now Lu's not your ordinary mild-mannered man
Who doesn't man up
Who just got caught with his pants down and his hands up
NAW
He's a dog, he's a playa he's a mack
Who preys on the weak and the meek and the quiet
Try to make 'em into freaks
Gets with the big girls with jobs
And tell 'em "[They] don't really need to diet,"
NO
Then it's free Micky D's for he
And it's three until she gets herself fired
"Sorry,"
LIAR, he don't care, he gon' say whatever she want hear
Whatever it takes
To get whatever he want or what he won't wear
Plaid
She think he won't dare
Creep with her friends when her ends end
Boo be prepared, cause he ain't scared
@user-jy2ef4hh8c
Just a little story that I got to tell
About a boy named Lu and a girl named Chenelle
She from the ghetto, he is as well
He listens to The Neptunes, she Mr. Kells
So while his head was in the clouds
She was on the down-low, foul, more so
The '03 version of a virgin
Said she learned head from a porno (Word?)
Upbringing was worse than he
She from a broken home
One day broke father broke in home
Lookin' for a fix from brokenhearted momma
Choked and broke her bones
Now he dismayed
Cause he don't think things need to be that way
Now he at work, and she at play
And she get paid
But he don't think she could ever be that way
@pkamvp
Even about 15 years later I’m finding new (old) Lupe tracks
@jarvisragins9212
He rode this beat to perfection
@anthonytruman
Always does
@TupacShakurr
This lupe was the best
@user-jy2ef4hh8c
Hook: Lupe Fiasco]
You'd better MAKE SURE your game is tight
Cause you don't wanna risk bein' a lame tonight
Cause that PIMP HAND will smack you down
Make you hit the road, don't come back around
You'd better MAKE SURE your game is tight
Cause you don't wanna risk bein' a lame tonight
Cause that PIMP HAND will lay you low
Don't hate the playa, just the way it go
[Lupe Fiasco: Verse 2]
Now Lu's not your ordinary mild-mannered man
Who doesn't man up
Who just got caught with his pants down and his hands up
NAW
He's a dog, he's a playa he's a mack
Who preys on the weak and the meek and the quiet
Try to make 'em into freaks
Gets with the big girls with jobs
And tell 'em "[They] don't really need to diet,"
NO
Then it's free Micky D's for he
And it's three until she gets herself fired
"Sorry,"
LIAR, he don't care, he gon' say whatever she want hear
Whatever it takes
To get whatever he want or what he won't wear
Plaid
She think he won't dare
Creep with her friends when her ends end
Boo be prepared, cause he ain't scared
@scottbackula1581
Wooooow
@seancarter7954
Snoop vs Dmx made me come back
@michaelponticello6412
Same, just went digging for this beat!
@bossaint6798
Lol same here
@jarvisragins9212
Yeah...Snoop and X put this back in my life