Elsesser has been sponsored by several skater fashion brands including Converse and Supreme, as well as becoming a professional skater in 2014 through skater collective and clothing store Fucking Awesome (FA). He has also released several short experimental hip hop EPs since 2015, under his Navy Blue stage name, in addition to collaborating with the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, and underground rappers Mach-Hommy, MIKE, King Carter, Adé Hakim and Pink Siifu. Aside from skating and music, Elsesser is also a model for various clothing brands and an artist, most notably handling the art direction for Earl Sweatshirt's 2015 album I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside.
224
Navy Blue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this time especially, going through so much struggle
You know when you struggle, you struggle to survive
So we always know the struggle
And survival is a reality for we have to survive
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
All alone when Sage cry
Left amidst to learn some
Found a vice in these spliffs
Trust the flame, made me numb
Same advice had me blitzed
I can't go to where I hide
My sunken place, ain't have a lid
Just like the Pataki say
Shame will have you missing limbs
I can say I love myself, finally I love it here
I can say I love you too
Promise I don't live in fear no more
I got papa's dearest glow, feel his spirit close
Hight of soul, my soul's below
Faces on a totem pole
Slow and steady grants you growth
Can't nobody hand you hope
Wish I had your hand to hold
With gratitude I dance alone
Gotta soothe my damaged soul
Papa knew I'd manage though
We was playing dominos, Bananagram and Scrabble
Long trips around the beaming sun
Whatever come was planned I know, I know
I know you miss me like I miss you
More to me than bones and tissue
Gotta bleed to make it visceral
Flee from out the physical
Demons out to get you, they gon' get you if you let 'em
Breathe and soar to heaven, ain't no way I could forget 'em
Excavation of my treasure, transportation serves me better
Got no plans to beat myself up, if I do, I use a feather
On a scale of weighing heart, sacred bond when we together
Yeah, I'm glad found the light 'cause in my darkness I was tethered
Made my way from wrong to right, live this life for my ancestors
I live this life for my ancestors
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
All alone when Sage cry
Tears of joy, my pain fixed
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
All alone when Sage cry
Tears of joy, my pain fixed
My pain fixed
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
All alone when Sage cry
Tears of joy, my pain fixed
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
All alone when Sage cry
Tears of joy, my pain fixed
Fixed me
Live this life for my ancestors
Live this life for my ancestors
Yeah, yeah, Navy
The lyrics of Navy Blue's "224" delve into themes of survival, struggle, pain, healing, and ancestry. The phrase "Survival is for survival you know" sets the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the idea that in this trying time, one must be strong to survive. Navy Blue recalls his own struggles, including being left alone at a young age, feeling pain, and finding solace in smoking weed. However, in the midst of his challenges, he recalls experiencing tears of joy that healed his pain, suggesting that joy can be found even in the darkest moments.
Throughout the song, Navy Blue also pays homage to his ancestors, emphasizing the importance of living life for them. This idea is particularly significant in the final lines, "Live this life for my ancestors, live this life for my ancestors yeah yeah Navy", which suggest that Navy Blue is carrying on the legacy of those who came before him. Overall, "224" urges listeners to endure, find joy in difficult moments, and honor those who paved the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, survival is for survival you know
Survival, especially in difficult times, is crucial.
In this time especially, going through so much struggle
This is a particularly tough time and we are experiencing many challenges.
You know when you struggle, you struggle to survive
During difficult times, the struggle is to survive.
So we always know the struggle
We are constantly aware of the struggle.
And survival is a reality for we have to survive
Survival is a necessary reality.
224 from day five, deathly scorn by age six
At the age of 5, I was given the number 224 and by age 6, I had experienced intense emotional pain.
All alone when Sage cry
I was alone when Sage (a person or a metaphor for wisdom) cried.
Tears of joy, my pain fixed
Through Sage's tears, I experienced joy and was able to recover from my pain.
Left amidst to learn some
I was left to learn lessons on my own.
Found a vice in these spliffs
I found comfort in smoking spliffs.
Trust the flame, made me numb
Smoking made me feel numb.
Same advice had me blitzed
Following the same advice led me to be high.
I can't go to where I hide
I cannot go to the place where I hide.
My sunken place, ain't have a lid
The place where I hide is a deep hole with no cover.
Just like the Pataki say
As the Pataki saying goes.
Shame will have you missing limbs
Shame can be so destructive that it can cause you to lose parts of yourself.
I can say I love myself, finally I love it here
I am finally able to love myself and my current situation.
I can say I love you too
I am able to express my love for others.
Promise I don't live in fear no more
I promise that I no longer live in fear.
I got papa's dearest glow, feel his spirit close
I feel the warmth and closeness of my father's spirit.
Height of soul, my soul's below
My soul is in a state of enlightenment.
Faces on a totem pole
We are all connected like the faces on a totem pole.
Slow and steady grants you growth
Progress takes time and patience.
Can't nobody hand you hope
Hope is something that you need to develop for yourself.
Wish I had your hand to hold
I wish I had someone to hold my hand.
With gratitude I dance alone
I dance alone but with gratitude.
Gotta soothe my damaged soul
I need to heal my damaged soul.
Papa knew I'd manage though
My father knew that I would be able to manage.
We was playing dominos, Bananagram and Scrabble
We played games like dominos, Bananagram, and Scrabble.
Long trips around the beaming sun
We went on long trips around the sun.
Whatever come was planned I know, I know
I know that everything that has happened was meant to be.
I know you miss me like I miss you
I know that you miss me as much as I miss you.
More to me than bones and tissue
I am more than just my physical body.
Gotta bleed to make it visceral
You have to experience pain and hardship to truly understand it.
Flee from out the physical
Escape from the physical world.
Demons out to get you, they gon' get you if you let 'em
There are demons that will attack you and harm you if you let them.
Breathe and soar to heaven, ain't no way I could forget 'em
Remember to breathe and reach for heaven.
Excavation of my treasure, transportation serves me better
Exploring my inner treasure is more fulfilling than any form of transportation.
Got no plans to beat myself up, if I do, I use a feather
I have no intention of being hard on myself, but if I do, I will be gentle.
On a scale of weighing heart, sacred bond when we together
Our bond is sacred and should be weighed with the heart.
Yeah, I'm glad found the light 'cause in my darkness I was tethered
I found light and am grateful for it because I was once stuck in darkness.
Made my way from wrong to right, live this life for my ancestors
I have learned from my mistakes and am living my life for my ancestors.
Contributed by Sarah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.