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.
The Die
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
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Well I herd like groups of cows
That all your enemies wanna shoot you down
They got AK-47's and a bunch of Mac-11's
Semi-automatic weapons that produce ka-pows
Word on the street is they all got heaters
They gon' hit you up, you ain't even gonna see it
But they say where you goin', you ain't even gonna need it
I seen you ridin' round, shinin' with your fine round
Diamonds, pretty green eyed lady
Been on the sideline, plottin' while you prime time, poppin'
Hungry niggas want a piece of your pastry
I suggest you protect your bakery cause they comin' for your head
And there's a bounty on the chain that's hangin' from your neck, you see
I don't know what you been told in your ear
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta (die!)
I don't know what you been told in your ear
But here's what's goin' round, somebody gotta (die!)
Hit a nigga, put the mini Mac strap, clap
Any nigga think he gettin' G's down here
Enemy to any nigga gettin' money on my honey
Man I heard Michael Young is the real clown here
Run upon a nigga from the back with a Mac
Gon' be strapped cause a nigga finna' squeeze off ten
Run upon this nigga 'lac, rat-a-tat-tat
Click-clack, where this nigga at? I needs in
Shit is going down if ever I see him
Rub a nigga out like Oxy 10
And keep a couple of dollars up in the wallet
To pay the cops so they can never box me in
That's what I'm thinkin' 'bout
Ridin' around polishin' this big pistol
I'mma catch him in the wind, pray the gun don't jam
So, until we meet again, nigga, it's cool
I don't know what you been told in your ear
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta (die!)
Know what you been told in your ear
But here's what's goin' round, somebody gotta (die!)
Don't pay them niggas no mind, they hatin' on you
Ain't nobody with a shotty out plannin' to do a robbery
Itchin' to catch a body creepin'
In the stolen jalopy out there waitin' on you
I'm sittin' in this stolen car finna rob this nigga
Should I let the mini Mac or the shotgun hit him?
I been waitin' all day tryin' to spot this nigga
I can't let him get away I'mma pop this nigga, uh!
Plus they don't know about the choppa in the trunk
The Glocks in the box and the 9 on tuck
The bulletproof glass, the 40 in the stash
I pull the steering wheel and it pop all up
40 caliber stashed up in his dash box
Bulletproof windows you couldn't break 'em with a pad lock
Ak in the trunk, where the sounds bump
2 twin Glock 40's, and a 9 in his damn crotch
Man, we finna go up in this club, show a little love
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Put some dro' in the air then go get some grub
They finna go up in the club, show a little love
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Put some dro in the air then catch a few slugs
Hey, hey, pull over right here, I gotta take a pee
And don't go nowhere, nigga wait for me
And if some niggas do kill ya in the next few minutes
Just remember, my nigga, there's a heaven for a G
Ay, ay hold this right there
I'll be, I'll be right back, I gotta take a piss man hold on
Fa sho, ay man, ay don't leave I'll be right back
Ay don't leave I'll be back
Hurry your ass up man, damn
Coolest nigga what, coolest nigga what, coolest nigga what
Hustla for life!
Ay man, nigga hurry your ass up, shit
I'mma cool ass nigga man
Fuckin' three in the mornin'
I'm the coolest muthafucka in the world, man
Niggas ain't fuckin' with me man
Nigga I'm high, smokin' fly ass car
I run these muthafuckin' streets, and these niggas out here lookin' for me
Man I wish a muthafucka' would
Ay, nigga hurry your ass up, nigga! Damn
Whats up now nigga?
Ain't to cool now is you nigga?
In Lupe Fiasco's hit song, "The Die," the rapper presents a tale of threat and violence. The song's chorus refers to a need for someone to die, creating a sense of tension and anticipation throughout the piece. The opening lines present the concept of imminent violence, describing groups of people who are armed and ready to attack. The aggressors are described as having AK-47s and other semi-automatic weapons, making it clear that the threat is serious. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is full of boasts about being prepared for violence and references to dangerous weapons.
The lyrics also explore themes of loyalty and betrayal. The singer describes seeing a woman who has been plotting against someone who is "riding around shining with your diamonds." The song suggests that there may be people who want to hurt the singer, and the chorus implies that someone is going to have to pay for this hostility.
Line by Line Meaning
I present the death of The Cool
I am announcing the end of the cool persona
Well I herd like groups of cows
I heard from many sources
That all your enemies wanna shoot you down
Your enemies want to harm you
They got AK-47's and a bunch of Mac-11's
They possess automatic weapons
Semi-automatic weapons that produce ka-pows
Their weapons create loud gunshot noises
Word on the street is they all got heaters
I heard that they all have guns
They gon' hit you up, you ain't even gonna see it
You won't see them coming when they attack
You got a lot of money, I ain't tryin' to be funny
You have a lot of money, and I'm not making a joke
But they say where you goin', you ain't even gonna need it
Rumors say that you won't need your money where you're going
I seen you ridin' round, shinin' with your fine round
I saw you driving around with your attractive partner
Diamonds, pretty green eyed lady
Your partner has beautiful green colored eyes and diamond jewelry
Been on the sideline, plottin' while you prime time, poppin'
Enemies have been waiting for their opportunity to attack while you have been successful in your prime
Hungry niggas want a piece of your pastry
Jealous people want what you have
I suggest you protect your bakery cause they comin' for your head
I advise you to protect what is yours because people are coming after you
And there's a bounty on the chain that's hangin' from your neck, you see
There is a reward for whoever takes the chain from around your neck
I don't know what you been told in your ear
I'm not sure what you have heard from others
But I hear it's goin' down, somebody gotta (die!)
I heard that something bad is going to happen and someone might die
But here's what's goin' round, somebody gotta (die!)
Rumors are saying that someone will die
Hit a nigga, put the mini Mac strap, clap
Shoot someone with a mini Mac weapon
Any nigga think he gettin' G's down here
Anyone who believes they are getting money here
Enemy to any nigga gettin' money on my honey
Anyone who tries to steal from my girlfriend
Man I heard Michael Young is the real clown here
I heard that Michael Young is a joke here
Run upon a nigga from the back with a Mac
Sneak from behind and shoot someone with a Mac weapon
Gon' be strapped cause a nigga finna' squeeze off ten
Be prepared because a person is about to shoot 10 times
Run upon this nigga 'lac, rat-a-tat-tat
Approach someone with a Cadillac and shoot rapidly
Click-clack, where this nigga at? I needs in
Looking for the person to shoot
Shit is going down if ever I see him
Bad things are going to happen if I see him
Rub a nigga out like Oxy 10
Erase someone like a medication that treats acne
And keep a couple of dollars up in the wallet
Keep some money on hand
To pay the cops so they can never box me in
To bribe the police so they never arrest me
That's what I'm thinkin' 'bout
That's what is on my mind
Ridin' around polishin' this big pistol
Driving around while cleaning a large gun
I'mma catch him in the wind, pray the gun don't jam
I will catch my target by surprise and hope my gun doesn't malfunction
So, until we meet again, nigga, it's cool
Until we see each other again, it's fine
Know what you been told in your ear
Be aware of what you've been hearing
Don't pay them niggas no mind, they hatin' on you
Ignore people who are jealous of you
Ain't nobody with a shotty out plannin' to do a robbery
Nobody is planning a robbery with a shotgun
Itchin' to catch a body creepin'
Eager to harm others
In the stolen jalopy out there waitin' on you
In a stolen car, waiting for you to arrive
I'm sittin' in this stolen car finna rob this nigga
Sitting in this stolen car, about to rob someone
Should I let the mini Mac or the shotgun hit him?
Which weapon should I use to shoot him?
I been waitin' all day tryin' to spot this nigga
Waiting all day to find this person
I can't let him get away I'mma pop this nigga, uh!
I can't afford to let him escape, I need to shoot him
Plus they don't know about the choppa in the trunk
They are unaware of the gun in the trunk
The Glocks in the box and the 9 on tuck
The Glocks are in a box and the 9 is tucked away
The bulletproof glass, the 40 in the stash
Bulletproof glass and a 40 gun is stored secretly
I pull the steering wheel and it pop all up
When I pull the steering wheel, the horn sounds
40 caliber stashed up in his dash box
40 caliber gun is stored in the dash box
Bulletproof windows you couldn't break 'em with a pad lock
Windows are bulletproof and cannot be broken with a padlock
Ak in the trunk, where the sounds bump
AK gun in the trunk, where the music is playing
2 twin Glock 40's, and a 9 in his damn crotch
2 twin Glock 40 guns and a 9 gun are hidden in his groin area
Man, we finna go up in this club, show a little love
We are about to enter the club and have some fun
Get a few drinks, holla at some girls
Drink some alcohol and flirt with some girls
Snatch up a pair, leave outta there
Take someone with you and leave the club
Put some dro' in the air then go get some grub
Smoke some marijuana and then get some food
They finna go up in the club, show a little love
They are about to enter the club and have some fun
Put some dro in the air then catch a few slugs
Smoke some marijuana and then get shot at
Hey, hey, pull over right here, I gotta take a pee
Stop the car, I need to urinate
And don't go nowhere, nigga wait for me
Stay here and wait for me
And if some niggas do kill ya in the next few minutes
If some people kill you in the next few minutes
Just remember, my nigga, there's a heaven for a G
Remember that gangsters can go to heaven
Ay, ay hold this right there
Hold this for me
I'll be, I'll be right back, I gotta take a piss man hold on
I will be back soon, I need to urinate
Fa sho, ay man, ay don't leave I'll be right back
Okay, don't leave, I will be right back
Ay don't leave I'll be back
Please don't leave, I will return soon
Hurry your ass up man, damn
Hurry up, damn it
Coolest nigga what, coolest nigga what, coolest nigga what
I'm the coolest person around
Hustla for life!
I am always hustling to survive
Ain't to cool now is you nigga?
Do you still think you are cool?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gemstones, Rudolph Loyola Lopez, Wasalu Jaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind