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.
NAOMI
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you see it, uh
Signs of intelligent life
Mosquito nets repel anopheles bites, look at the night
Nice, we look alike, they want a slice to your dreams
Even Christ took a knife for the team, so swing
Yo, fatal flying guillotine, uh, yeah
All by myself with the world on my delts
We can chill while it melts, the beat bill feel like it's felt
My suspicion Christians killed all the Celts
What else? What else? Forget what happened in the past
You gotta let it go like what happened to the gas
Can't have such anathema inside a mass
It'll ruin your communion and soil all of your fast
Stay away from rebels worshipping the devil like jazz
When Heaven loses a job, Hell wins staff
Looking over macro-economic math
Karma waiting and calculating how much time that we have
Then put it all in a graph, look at all of the past
Go look at Instagram then go back and split it in half
I ain't rapping, what's happened is blowing glass
Trakk is tapping drums and Crystal's blowing the brass
Per the usual
All that beautiful musical moving you like a inter-cooled Subaru
With an Italian man saying, "Look at what I do for you"
A nice Chicken Vesuvio
Be in North Boston often
'Round them Sicilians I be walking like the ambiance and talking
My favorite part is when all the affogatos is brought in
You can put Dolce vita chicken risotto in my coffin
It's ay, ay
We are in the building, yes
Yeah, uh-huh, yeah
I was in Roxbury on Malcolm X block
Talking that talk that got Malcolm X watched
Tryna pick up where Malcolm X stopped
Only gave my players a Malcolm Xbox
Look in the sky, see the Malcolm X ring
Malcolm X-files, it's a Malcolm X thing
As you ask yourself, "What does Malcolm X mean?"
I return to the force in a Malcolm X-Wing
And scene
You know they want a slice of your dreams
But even Christ took a knife for the team
So, swing
In these lyrics, Lupe Fiasco explores various themes and makes references to historical figures and events, incorporating social commentary and personal introspection.
The first verse starts by addressing the listener, suggesting that they should be able to perceive certain signs of intelligent life. The mention of mosquito nets repelling mosquito bites represents the practical measures we take to protect ourselves. Lupe then brings in the line "Nice, we look alike, they want a slice to your dreams," which can be interpreted as a critique of societal pressures and the desire for people to claim a part of your success. The reference to Christ taking a knife for the team invokes the sacrifice made by leaders in history, urging listeners to also be willing to make sacrifices for their beliefs.
Moving to the next paragraph, Lupe presents himself as someone who comes to help like Batman with a utility belt, shouldering the weight of the world on his shoulders. He encourages listeners to remain calm and unaffected by the chaos surrounding them, as symbolized by the melting beat. The line "My suspicion Christians killed all the Celts" can be seen as an indictment of historical religious conflicts, reminding us of the dark actions carried out in the name of faith. Lupe then tells us to let go of the past, using the metaphor of what happened to the gas as a reference to the transient nature of events. He warns against divisive ideologies and encourages unity, cautioning that such divisiveness can disrupt communal bonds and affect spiritual practices negatively.
In the third paragraph, Lupe advises staying away from rebellious individuals who follow dark paths akin to devilish jazz music. He conveys the idea that when Heaven loses, Hell gains, perhaps meaning that when positive forces falter, negative forces take advantage. Lupe shifts gears to macroeconomics, suggesting that karma calculates the time we have and emphasizes the significance of past experiences. The reference to Instagram and splitting it in half perhaps alludes to the fleeting nature of social media and the importance of reflecting on the past. Lupe asserts that his craft is not simply rapping but blowing glass, while acknowledging the contributions of his collaborators on the track. The verse concludes with a mention of Italian food and an ambiance that he experiences when walking among Sicilians.
In the final paragraph, Lupe states that he was on Malcolm X's block in Roxbury and engages in the same kind of discourse that made Malcolm X a target. He references Malcolm X's legacy and contributions, using wordplay with "Malcolm Xbox." The mention of the Malcolm X ring and Malcolm X-files further emphasizes the influence and impact of Malcolm X. As the listeners ponder the meaning of Malcolm X, Lupe likens himself to a character from Star Wars, a Malcolm X-Wing pilot, symbolizing his return to a position of power and influence.
Overall, these lyrics highlight themes of personal sacrifice, societal pressures, historical figures, and the importance of introspection and reflection. Lupe Fiasco consistently offers introspective and thought-provoking lyrics, encouraging listeners to analyze the world around them and make choices that align with their values.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see it? You see it
Are you able to perceive it? Are you aware of it?
I know you see it, uh
I am certain that you see it
Signs of intelligent life
Indicators of intelligent beings
Mosquito nets repel anopheles bites, look at the night
Mosquito nets prevent malaria-carrying mosquito bites, observe the darkness
Nice, we look alike, they want a slice to your dreams
It is pleasant that we resemble each other, they desire a share of your aspirations
Even Christ took a knife for the team, so swing
Even Jesus sacrificed himself for the collective, so take action
Yo, fatal flying guillotine, uh, yeah
Hey, deadly instrument of execution, uh, yes
I just come around to help like Batman utility belt
I arrive to provide assistance similar to Batman's tool belt
All by myself with the world on my delts
Alone with the weight of the world on my shoulders
We can chill while it melts, the beat bill feel like it's felt
We can relax as things disintegrate, the rhythm resonates as if it is tangible
My suspicion Christians killed all the Celts
I suspect that Christians annihilated the Celtic people
What else? What else? Forget what happened in the past
What more is there? Disregard previous events
You gotta let it go like what happened to the gas
You must release it like the dissipation of gas
Can't have such anathema inside a mass
It is unacceptable to have hostility within a congregation
It'll ruin your communion and soil all of your fast
It will spoil your spiritual connection and taint your religious observance
Stay away from rebels worshipping the devil like jazz
Avoid individuals who rebel against societal norms and idolize evil, similar to the appreciation of jazz music
When Heaven loses a job, Hell wins staff
When righteous individuals are dismissed, wickedness gains power
Looking over macro-economic math
Examining large-scale economic calculations
Karma waiting and calculating how much time that we have
Fate patiently assessing and determining the amount of time we possess
Then put it all in a graph, look at all of the past
Then chart it, observe the entirety of the previous occurrences
Go look at Instagram then go back and split it in half
Inspect Instagram, then revisit it and divide it into two equal parts
I ain't rapping, what's happened is blowing glass
I am not merely rapping, my actions are akin to creating glass objects by blowing air
Trakk is tapping drums and Crystal's blowing the brass
Trakk is playing drums rhythmically while Crystal is skillfully playing brass instruments
Per the usual
As usual
All that beautiful musical moving you like a inter-cooled Subaru
All that magnificent, captivating music influences you like a well-cooled Subaru vehicle
With an Italian man saying, 'Look at what I do for you'
With an Italian man expressing, 'Observe what I do for your benefit'
A nice Chicken Vesuvio
An enjoyable dish of Chicken Vesuvio
Be in North Boston often
Frequently be present in North Boston
'Round them Sicilians I be walking like the ambiance and talking
Among Sicilians, I stroll exuding the atmosphere and engaging in conversation
My favorite part is when all the affogatos is brought in
I particularly enjoy the moment when all the affogatos are served
You can put Dolce vita chicken risotto in my coffin
You may place Dolce vita chicken risotto in my casket
It's ay, ay
It is an expression or exclamation of affirmation
We are in the building, yes
We are present here
Yeah, uh-huh, yeah
Yes, I agree, yes
I was in Roxbury on Malcolm X block
I was located in Roxbury on Malcolm X block
Talking that talk that got Malcolm X watched
Engaging in the type of discourse that attracted scrutiny similar to what Malcolm X experienced
Tryna pick up where Malcolm X stopped
Attempting to continue where Malcolm X left off
Only gave my players a Malcolm Xbox
I merely provided my companions with a Malcolm-themed video game console
Look in the sky, see the Malcolm X ring
Look upwards, observe the symbolic ring associated with Malcolm X
Malcolm X-files, it's a Malcolm X thing
Similar to the mysterious theme of the show 'The X-Files,' it relates to the essence of Malcolm X
As you ask yourself, 'What does Malcolm X mean?'
While you contemplate, 'What is the significance of Malcolm X?'
I return to the force in a Malcolm X-Wing
I resume operating under the influence of Malcolm X's principles in a metaphorical Malcolm X-Wing spacecraft
And scene
That concludes the performance
You know they want a slice of your dreams
You are aware that they desire a portion of your aspirations
But even Christ took a knife for the team
Yet, even Jesus underwent sacrifice for the collective
So, swing
Therefore, take action
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Wasalu Jaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind