Pressure
Lupe Fiasco feat. Jay-Z Lyrics

Roc-A-Fella, 1st and!
Shoutout to the Roc-A-Fella crew and 1st and 15th, Lupe's record label

And so it seems that I'm, sewing jeans
Lupe is making moves in the fashion industry

And, 1st and 15 is just a sewing machine
His record label is just a tool to create his vision

So I, cut the pattern and I, sew in seams
Lupe is meticulously crafting his image and sound

And, button in this hustling then publicly I'm Buddy Lee
Lupe is in the game and thriving, like the iconic Lee jeans brand

There's no busting them and cuffing them is like
You can't stop his grind, trying to interfere with his success is futile

Ushering in the regime, they want me to make Prince pants
Industry executives want him to make trendy, flashy clothes

But I withstand, I ain't gotten into that
Lupe refuses to sell out and compromise his artistic vision

A little big in the waist, Tupac it on the back
He'll add his own style and flare when necessary

Call them Nu-vi's, O.G.'s covered in blue dye
He creates his own brand of jeans and keeps it real; genuine

Give 'em the game, that's like giving chocolate to the fat
Sharing his knowledge and insights with others is second nature

Look, how you think I got here?
His drive, talent, and hard work got him where he is today

That's the same game that came through where I lived as a kid
The struggle and hustle is an environment in which he is well acquainted

In the bad luck truck and threw boxes off the back
The cruel realities of poverty and desperation

Made me a ripper, deliver like river
He persevered and became a top performer

Content a little more thicker, slicker
His music is rich in substance and style

Yeah, and they said oil and water don't mix
Lupe is defying expectations

Now they all down at the beach washing off the fish
His critics are eating their words in the face of his success

Was Blackbeard 'til I brought the Roc into your ships
He's a pirate and a force to be reckoned with, thanks to Roc-A-Fella

It's my life, my life, everything I do I do for you
His music and career are dedicated to his fans

I do it all for you, everything I say you know it's the truth
He is genuine and authentic in his music and persona

I'll say it is the truth, I'll take all the pressure off of you
He's taking on the responsibility and pressure of being an artist

Take pressure off of you, I'll take, the pressure off of you
He'll alleviate the stress and anxiety his fans may feel

Uh, it's hella proper (proper)
His style is on point

'Cause it sag so low you can see boxer, like a boxer's
His pants are styled low and people can see his underwear

That's the way that the Family's pants worn
This is the aesthetic of his crew

Then we slide, and try and put 'em on
People try to copy his style

The stones in the pocket'll drag you down to Davy Jones locker
The added weight of his fashion statement can weigh people down

Beware if you wanna Roc the Knickerbocker
Tread lightly if you want to emulate his style

Other nigga from the block what, they was selling O's
Other people in his neighborhood sold drugs

Like Wheel of Fortune, of imported cocaine
The drug trade was like a game of chance

Just to feel important, it was Do or Die
Trading drugs was a means to an end for some

They was tired of being "Po' Pimps," now for sure
They didn't have much before but now they're wealthy

That was just a product of my common sense
He never succumbed to that lifestyle because he knew better

I guess, I was just guessing like the consonants
He was just trying to figure things out like anyone else

Momma said beware of what the devil do
His mother warned him about temptation and evil

Tell 'em that your soul's not for sale like the W's
He won't compromise his morals or values for fame or fortune

So go ahead and pirate, the highest
He's not afraid to take risks and pirate music to spread his message

Cannons make you leak like pirated my shh
His music is so powerful it can cause others to leak their own

It's no shh, it's just shh like quiet
His music speaks volumes but often goes unappreciated

And big homey's out of retirement
He's back and better than ever

So the pen is mightier than the sword my lord
Words are powerful and can be more impactful than violence

My first picture was a line-up, now I'm on the Forbes
He's come a long way from being in a police line-up to being a successful artist and entrepreneur

And I still remain the artiste through thees all
Despite his success, he doesn't compromise his artistic integrity

If you force my hand I'll be forced to "draw"
He'll defend himself and his artistry if he has to

If the war calls for war halls
If he needs to bring the fight to the art world, he will

Hope you got enough space on your hall's walls
Hopefully there is room for his art among the elite

I make niggas murals, then escape the bureau's
He creates art and then disappears before anyone can catch him

Investigation, out in Europe on vacation
He'll be out of reach and abroad

I'm back for these puppies with the pound boy
He's back and ready to go hard

(Blaow) Here's a round boy (blaow blaow) down boy
He'll knock his competition out with his music

Sound boy, you don't wanna sound clash loud noise
His sound is too powerful for anyone to compete with

Leave niggas paranoid if not paralyzed
His music can leave people unsure of themselves or incapacitated

Which means you can't walk in my shoes
He's unique and his path cannot be walked by others

Too much green you can't talk in my hue
He's too successful for others to criticize him

Extend the team, nigga holla at Lu'
He's open to working with others and building his team

1st and 15th, that's my cue, I'm through
He's giving a shoutout to his own record label and ending the song