With the always spirited ‘Print on the mic and RJ deftly manning the boards, this pair caught the underground by storm with their 6-song EP Unlimited in 2002. Only a year later they got heads listening a lot more closely with 2003’s pensive full-length debut, Eight Million Stories.
As Blueprint expresses through Soul Position’s new material, it was a long, sometimes uncertain road from when they recorded Eight Million Stories until now. But with the duo back in action, as their new album’s title says, Things Go Better With RJ and Al. On this well-balanced release, ‘Print delves into a greater variety of subject matter than ever, as he speaks on reshaping the Black identity in hip-hop and, on the lighter side, warns people not to waste his precious cell phone minutes. And as usual, RJ mines an abundance of funky samples for his partner in rhyme to enthusiastically rhyme over. On their new album, Soul Position dodges the dreaded sophomore jinx and delivers yet another gimmick-free release that’s sure to be one of the most talked about records of 2006.
I'm Free
Soul Position Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I'm free!)
Son you gotta just hit it hard
You gotta do it right baby
No bullshittin
[Chorus]
(I'm free!) You free now, are you really?
You free now, are you really?
How free, since when?
[Blueprint]
Tryin to get a free mind, in these free times
But I only feel free when I freestyle
Any other time, money's on my mind
Can't be free when I'm a slave to free enterprise
Some of us don't get it, we think it's copacetic
Got some free love and ended UP in a FREE clinic
Some free medicine, a free prescription
Some people think bein free means bein unprotected
It ain't right to me, somebody lied to me
When they said that the best things in life are free
It don't seem to be that cool bein free
Cause man brings anything free to its knees
We cut down trees, 'til everything's extinct
Then build free-ways over where they used to be
It's like a free-for-all that keeps me amazed
In the land of free, home of the brave
[Chorus]
[Blueprint]
Let freedom rain down on this whole nation
Full of freemasons and fiends freebasin
Friends freeloadin lookin for a free meal
Girls that got in the club free just to steal
Homeless people think they free, I think it's funny
Cause freedom is a joke when everything costs money
You can't even fuck for free, that's out of the question
Prostitution is the world's oldest profession
Independent women claimin free, could of fooled me
If that's true why you let dude buy you drinks?
It might seem free, cause you didn't pay
But dude who bought you that, he tryin to get laid
Freedom in America, is all about consumption
You ain't free unless you get out there and buy somethin
More spendin, more taxes
More money for our military actions
[Chorus]
(I'm free! ... I'm free!)
The Soul Position song I'm Free delves into the concept of freedom and how it may be elusive and subjective. The song is divided into two verses, with each verse focusing on a different aspect of freedom. The first verse, performed by Blueprint, centers on the idea of free enterprise and how it can lead to a lack of freedom. Blueprint implies that in a capitalist society, one can become a slave to money and the need to make a profit. He also warns against the idea of free love, which can lead to consequences such as sexually transmitted diseases. Blueprint concludes his verse by suggesting that nothing in life is truly free, as everything comes with a price.
The second verse of the song, again performed by Blueprint, highlights the irony of freedom in American society. He implies that even though America is supposed to be the land of the free, many aspects of life are still highly regulated and require payment or consume one’s time or efforts. This includes examples such as homeless people who may believe they are free but still struggle to survive or independent women who may think they are free but still have to deal with societal pressure and expectations. Blueprint’s commentary in this verse highlights that the concept of freedom may be elusive and subjective, and that true freedom may be hard to achieve.
Line by Line Meaning
(I'm free!)
The singer is proclaiming their freedom.
Son you gotta just hit it hard
The singer is encouraging someone to work hard and be dedicated.
You gotta do it right baby
The singer is advising someone to do things correctly and efficiently.
No bullshittin
The artist is indicating that there is no room for nonsense or excuses.
(I'm free!) You free now, are you really?
The artist is questioning someone's level of freedom.
How free, since when?
The singer is asking for clarification on when someone became free.
Tryin to get a free mind, in these free times
The singer is attempting to become more mentally liberated, but facing obstacles due to societal pressures.
But I only feel free when I freestyle
The artist only feels fully free when they are creatively expressing themselves through freestyling.
Any other time, money's on my mind
The artist is preoccupied with financial concerns outside of freestyling.
Can't be free when I'm a slave to free enterprise
The artist feels that despite the notion of a 'free market,' they are still enslaved by the capitalist system.
Some of us don't get it, we think it's copacetic
Many people fail to recognize their lack of freedom and accept the status quo.
Got some free love and ended UP in a FREE clinic
The artist received free sexual activity but ended up contracting a disease and subsequently receiving medical treatment at a free clinic.
Some free medicine, a free prescription
Despite these seemingly 'free' provisions, the singer still doubts their freedom.
Some people think bein free means bein unprotected
Some individuals equate freedom with a lack of protection or security.
It ain't right to me, somebody lied to me
The singer feels that they were lied to regarding the true meaning of freedom.
When they said that the best things in life are free
The artist questions the validity of the common phrase 'the best things in life are free.'
It don't seem to be that cool bein free
Despite the supposed benefits of freedom, the artist does not find it to be satisfying.
Cause man brings anything free to its knees
The singer suggests that anything given out for free will ultimately be exploited or destroyed by humanity.
We cut down trees, 'til everything's extinct
Humans are destroying natural resources to the point of extinction.
Then build free-ways over where they used to be
Despite destroying natural habitats, humans still build roadways over these areas.
It's like a free-for-all that keeps me amazed
The artist is astounded by the lack of order and chaos in supposedly 'free' society.
In the land of free, home of the brave
The artist ironically points out the American slogan of being the 'land of the free, home of the brave.'
Let freedom rain down on this whole nation
The singer is hoping for true freedom to come upon the entire country.
Full of freemasons and fiends freebasin
Society is filled with corrupt individuals and drug addicts.
Friends freeloadin lookin for a free meal
Some companions are only around to receive free food and service.
Girls that got in the club free just to steal
Some individuals claim to be entering clubs for free, but actually have negative intentions such as stealing.
Homeless people think they free, I think it's funny
Despite not having societal obligations, the singer finds irony in the homelessness situation as a lack of true freedom.
Cause freedom is a joke when everything costs money
The concept of freedom is meaningless when everything has a monetary value.
You can't even fuck for free, that's out of the question
Even sexual activity comes at a cost or trade-off, representing a lack of true freedom.
Prostitution is the world's oldest profession
The oldest industry in the world is one that is corrupted by money and does not represent freedom.
Independent women claimin free, could of fooled me
The singer is skeptical about the societal condition of women being independent despite economic burdens and expectations.
If that's true why you let dude buy you drinks?
The artist challenges women who claim to be independent yet rely on male companionship for free or discounted services.
It might seem free, cause you didn't pay
Despite not paying money, many services or goods still come at a hidden cost or sacrifice of privacy and autonomy.
But dude who bought you that, he tryin to get laid
The artist suggests that the male who bought the woman a drink is simply engaging in transactional behavior to gain sexual favors.
Freedom in America, is all about consumption
True freedom in America is related to one's purchasing power and ability to consume goods and services.
You ain't free unless you get out there and buy somethin
The artist suggests that one is not truly free unless they can participate in consumerism.
More spendin, more taxes
A cycle of increasing consumerism and taxation is perpetuated in American society.
More money for our military actions
The government prioritizes military action over societal needs.
(I'm free! ... I'm free!)
The singer is reaffirming their freedom.
Contributed by Nathaniel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Crutchingtiger36
I like this!
Cristian Benitez
Fresh as ffuck
dadoinkin
*First!!* WTF?!?!?!?! No comments on some raw hip hop dats been up for almost 3yrs?!?!? Well least ders 8 people who kinda got it rite, shudda dropped a comment assholes!!! Keep keepin it fresh wit da dope conscience hip-hop!!
Cade Harris
1:51
Andy Long
could have fooled me
John Mabry Jr
Are you really