Chicago rapper/producer Saba first caught the attention of listeners as a frequent collaborator of Chance the Rapper. Saba's contributions to Chance songs like 2013's "Everybody's Something" and 2015's "Angels" showcased his range as both a rapper and vocalist and paved the way for his introspective debut studio album, Bucket List Project, in 2016. The loss of a close family member inspired 2018's Care for Me, a tragically beautiful album that explored death, mourning, and life after losing a loved one.
Saba (Tahj Malik Chandler) grew up on the West Side of Chicago, specifically within the Austin neighborhood, as part of a deeply musical family. That's also where he formed Pivot Gang, a group of longtime associates that has featured, among others, his brother Jerrel (aka Joseph Chilliams), cousin Walter Long (aka John Walt), Logan Yutters (aka MFn Melo), Frsh Waters, and DJ Damnage. Saba recorded several solo mixtapes -- his first were issued while he was an introverted high-schooler -- and gained traction with ComfortZone, a 2014 release inspired by his father's neo-soul recordings that capitalized on his contributions to awareness-raising tracks by fellow Chicagoans Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins. In 2015, Saba appeared as featured artist on several cuts, including Chance's "Angels," Jenkins' "Slumber," and Odd Couple's "What Kings Do." Additionally, he released the reflective Tink collaboration "Temporary," one of his most commercial songs to date.
In late 2016, Saba self-released the LP Bucket List Project, featuring artists like fellow Chicagoan rappers Noname and Twista. In February of 2017, Saba's cousin, mentor, and Pivot Gang collaborator Walter Long was violently murdered by a stranger. Saba reflected on the scars left by this horrible loss throughout his second album, CARE FOR ME, which was released in April of 2018. The vulnerable and emotionally complex album broke through with critics and took Saba's music to new audiences. He followed in November of that year with "Beautiful Smile," a collaborative single with Maryland rapper IDK.
Talk
Saba Lyrics
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I'm on another kind of mood
Don't mean to be rude
Got to blast right now
Can't talk
Can't talk
Can't can't can't talk
Can't can't can't talk (Right now)
Don't mean to be rude
I'm on another kind of mood
Got to blast right now
Can't talk
Can't talk
Can't can't can't talk
Can't can't can't talk (Right now)
Right now
Too out of touch
Out of place
Too sensitive
Never speak
Up enough
Could it be me
I don't know
Got a lot of things
I don't show
Take it to the edge
Out of rope
Thought I had a grip
Nope
Maybe it's a signal
It's messing up my mental
Can't talk right now
I'm on another kind of mood
Don't mean to be rude
Got to blast right now
Can't talk
Can't talk
Can't can't can't talk
Can't can't can't talk (Right now)
Right now
Don't mean to be rude
I'm on another kind of mood
Got to blast right now
Can't talk
Can't talk
Can't can't can't talk
Can't can't can't talk (Right now)
Right now
The lyrics of Saba's song "Talk" convey a sense of personal introspection and vulnerability. The repetition of "Can't talk right now" and "Can't can't can't talk" suggests a reluctance or inability to communicate with others in the present moment. This refusal to engage in conversation could imply a desire for solitude and self-reflection, perhaps because the singer is experiencing a different mood or emotional state that they do not wish to share with others.
The lyrics further explore a feeling of being disconnected from reality ("Too out of touch"), feeling out of place or misunderstood ("Out of place"), and being hesitant to express oneself openly ("Never speak up enough"). This internal struggle is paired with a sense of uncertainty and self-doubt, as indicated by lines such as "Could it be me? I don't know" and "Got a lot of things I don't show." The singer seems to be grappling with their own emotions and wrestling with the idea of opening up to others.
The refrain "Don't mean to be rude, I'm on another kind of mood, got to blast right now" expresses the singer's acknowledgement of their behavior and how it may come across as rude to others. However, they also convey an urgency to protect their own mental and emotional state by creating distance and avoiding conversation. The repeated use of "right now" emphasizes the temporary nature of this mindset, suggesting that the singer recognizes this as a phase or momentary state of being.
Overall, "Talk" by Saba delves into the complexities of personal introspection, emotional distance, and the reluctance to communicate with others in certain moments. It provides a glimpse into the internal struggles and self-reflection that can occur within the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't talk right now
I am currently unable to engage in conversation
I'm on another kind of mood
I am currently experiencing a different emotional state
Don't mean to be rude
I apologize if my behavior comes across as impolite
Got to blast right now
I need to leave immediately
Can't talk
I am unable to communicate
Can't can't can't talk
I really cannot engage in conversation
Can't can't can't talk (Right now)
Right now, I am truly unable to talk
Right now
At this very moment
Too out of touch
Feeling disconnected or distant
Out of place
Feeling like I don't belong
Too sensitive
Being overly emotional or easily affected
Never speak
I rarely voice my thoughts or opinions
Up enough
Confident or outspoken to a sufficient degree
Could it be me
Am I the reason for this situation?
I don't know
I lack knowledge or understanding
Got a lot of things
I have numerous issues or concerns
I don't show
I don't express or reveal my true emotions
Take it to the edge
Pushing the limits or boundaries
Out of rope
Running out of options or resources
Thought I had a grip
Believed I had control or understanding
Nope
Actually, I do not have control or understanding
Maybe it's a signal
Perhaps this is indicating something
It's messing up my mental
This is negatively impacting my state of mind
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: De'Jour Thomas, Saba Abraha
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bojan Rudić
[Intro: Aminé]
Can I sing for you?
That bitch is lookin' worked up
I got 'em mad and now they feelings gettin' turned up
You say you poppin', but your crowd be soundin' chirped up
Them crickets louder than yo' baby mama's first cub, nigga, get your work up
[Verse 1: Aminé]
My dawgs with me like we in Petco
I'm a OG, you a retro (Ugh)
The niggas hatin' on me ride the metro
I earned so much, I'm Ernesto
Been doin' this shit from the get-go
And my eyes real, real low from the petrol (True)
The snakes gon' hate, let the Drac' go
But you can't hate when my chain cost your payroll (Damn)
Pen game good and my dick good (Wow)
I really wish a bitch would
Got her ass out, she a standout (Mm)
And she got a kid, I'm a dad now
TSA trip with the pat-down
Feel like Herbo when a nigga got them racks out
What I gotta do to go dumb?
Your girlfriend know where I'm from
I'm a west coast nigga, but you already know (Ooh-wee)
I got hunnids in my pockets and your bitch at the door
I'm like DiCaprio on Wall Street
I'ma hustle real hard 'til they off me
I'm a wolf in the pack like I'm Lil B
Nigga, you can't faze me, you crazy?
[Chorus: Aminé & Saba]
I really gotta talk this talk, I really gotta walk this walk (Say what?)
I really gotta talk my shit (Brr, true), I really make some calls (Yeah, true, true)
I really gotta talk this talk (Yes, I do), I really gotta walk this walk (Goddamn)
I really gotta let 'em know I ain't here for fuckin' trolls (No way)
[Verse 2: Saba]
I witnessed death, I'm still livin', the perfect juxtaposition (Yeah)
Throw on my joggers and Jordans, my shorty hold me up like Jordan and Pippen, the flu game
I flew over continents just losin' scholarships, they was just tryna get rid of us niggas
I just say screw 'em like Phillips with us
Full length, go penile, I peed in a cup for my niggas
Who knew they were reekin' of drugs
And a system for you down and not to come up
Nigga gon' shoot down your dream for the club
Still ain't gettin' in, still aimin' to win
I had to move out, I still can't with the fam (Yeah)
Her shit be movin', I still can't really dance
I had to lose all that shit I was taught
I had to duke it out, I had to fault
I had to fight, wasn't really one to talk
[Chorus: Aminé & Saba]
I really gotta talk this talk, I really gotta walk this walk (Say what?)
I really gotta talk my shit (Brr, true), I really make some calls (Yeah, true, true)
I really gotta talk this talk (Yes, I do), I really gotta walk this walk (Goddamn)
I really gotta let 'em know I ain't here for fuckin' trolls (No way)
Ashley DelliPaoli
gonna be bumping this for six days straight
phrog
u still bumping this? i know i am haha
haakon
@phrog im still bumping this
Félix-Antoine Gagnon
That bassline is so good
Saba Pivot
Let’s gooo 🎾🎾
Josh
You did your thing on this feature bruhh 🔥🔥
Smoove
One of my favourites right now 💪
Mehmet Çevik
Wow man!
George
You went hard af🔥
Calvino Santiago
Been hip since comfort zon3