Victory Lap
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis / Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lyrics

And they say, 'Don't forget where you come from
Remember your roots

Don't die holding on to your words
Don't hold grudges when you die

'Cause you know you got a whole world to change
You are meant to contribute to society

But understand who you got to change first'
Start with yourself

And I was like 'Fuck that,' humility bust back
Initially rejected the advice of elders

I remember the days with nothing but a bus pass
Reflecting on tough times

And I dance on that instrumental
Enjoys instrumentals

Unorthodox like Basquiat with the pencil
Creative freedom is key

Give me a microphone and a beat box I could vent to
Music is an important outlet

Music the only medium that I could find myself through
Music was a tool for self-discovery

Recluse, sipping on some lean I would let loose
Used to isolate himself with intoxicants

Music the only medium that I could find myself through
Music was a tool for self-discovery

Cleaned up in '08, got a job making barely minimum wage
Started improving his situation

To get into that page
To achieve success

Hit the road with RL, performing in front of 8 people
Started performing tirelessly to build a following

And that shit will check your ego
Playing small shows humbled him

About around that time I'm watching that EP go
Watching his first album grow

From nothing to getting us booked around the country
Started getting gigs nationwide

I know no limits, life can change in an instant
Belief that anything is possible

Eight people turn into sold out shows in a minute
Went from small crowds to sold-out shows

And I'm watching my pops in the back row grinning
Happy to share his success with family

With his glass up to my mom, toasting this Guinness
Celebrating with loved ones

And we on (we on)
We are doing well

Good music, it lies in the ambiance
Good music resonates with people

When we leave here
When we die

Will these words live on
Will his music continue to have an impact?

Till then, we keep on making the songs
Keep working on music for as long as he can

So put 'em up, up up, up up (so high)
Get the crowd enthusiastic

I remember that Freshman edition
Reflecting on being part of Freshman list

Last year thinking to myself like Yah, nah, I won't win it yet
Initially thought he wasn't ready for success

Probably won't get it, but I'm gonna give it everything
He tried anyway

Play my position
Took his place in the industry

The next 11 months I gave it all everything I had in me
Worked hard for 11 months

Left blood, sweat, tears in every god damn city
Worked tirelessly to improve his music

No label, no deal, no publicist, indie
He was an independent artist

Just music that connected and fans that rode with me
He had supportive fans despite being independent

Throw me a gold mine, and a co-sign
Would have liked support from established stars

Not gonna lie, that shit sounds so nice
Admits he wants success like established artists

But I got creative control and my souls mine
Proud of the creative freedom he's afforded himself

I wouldn't trade it, maybe I'm crazy
Prefers his creative freedom to being backed by a label

I put on for my city
Proud of representing Seattle

Seattle that raised me
Grew up in Seattle

Rule four thousand eighty, it's really not changing
Sticking to his ways

Now a days make good music, the people are your label
Nowadays, good music will attract fans without label backing

So put 'em up, up up, up up (so high)
Get the crowd enthusiastic

Oh my God, feels like a victory lap
Feels like a triumph

Can I have that moment
Wants to relish in his success

Can I talk my shit
Wants to express himself

Put 'em up, up up, up up
Get the crowd enthusiastic