Elevation
The Bums Lyrics


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[Repeat: x4]
I gotta free my mind

I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah, I gotta free my mind, free my mind
I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah? I gotta free my mind, free my mind
From sand docks to auction blocks to R&B
From hip-hop, how many rappers flip-flop to get props?
Signed the dotted line but didn't read through the costs
(When your album sits on the desk) "That's when ya lost!"
Followed your label's notion no promotion now you're audi
And that's the type of moves that make an artist act rowdy
Emcees fallin victim to financial, seduction
Then watchin creative weight extracted, like liposuction
Your A and R like see'n'are got many styles to suit ya
But if it's false to me I've never been an ass smoocher
Since I don't brainwash minds, with talkin nines and
How I shoot ya, it seems no multi million dollar contract's
In my future, I could swallow the bait and get gassed
Like petroleum, but contracts break like Rock Steady
On linoleum, no wackin in my format, no Grammy awards
Rap over break loops and samples, no R&B chords
On a mission from God, to make the conscious souls nod
When I'm rhyming, I take tracks of coal and then
Compress em to a diamond, I'm in the mind state
To escalate, when all rappers participate
It's fate for rap to elevate

[Repeat: x2]
I gotta free my mind (yo as a matter of fact)
I gotta free my mind (we're not goin out like that)
I gotta free my mind (we got the power to stay)
"Other rappers, they went slip slidin away"

You're goin, downtown to leave your mark on the biz
You reminisce, you and your A&R was first friends
You got talent and you ain't afraid to splurge hip-hop
Better thrills than Jordan alley-oops the pill but still
Got verbals like murder, so call on Perry Mason
Twenty-five to life, is what I'm facing, for this fate's in
The element of fine print I've read it and overseen
By judgmental pompous ass phonetics, the critic
I'm still the rapper for the rhymes that he expresses
Or manifests, no frontin, I wrote the shit while blunted
Take control, don't be a fuckin fish on a pole
Label's will leave you murdered in a river with no soul
It's true, for what you say is what you do with the flow
For labels MC's come and they go, but B.U.M.S.
We leave our mark for hip-hop's devastation
In our strive to stay alive for my record's elevation

I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah, I gotta free my mind, free my mind




I gotta free my mind, free my mind
Yeah? I gotta free my mind, free my mind

Overall Meaning

The Bums's song Elevation speaks about the financial and creative struggles in the music industry. The lyrics address the pressure that artists face from record labels to conform to certain styles and sounds in order to achieve commercial success. The song also discusses the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's creative integrity for profit. The chorus, "I gotta free my mind," implies the need for artists to break free from the constraints of the industry and remain true to their artistic vision.


The song also highlights the power of hip-hop as a means to elevate consciousness and inspire change. The line "on a mission from God, to make the conscious souls nod" speaks to the ability of hip-hop to reach and influence listeners through its commentary on social, political, and cultural issues. The Bums emphasize the importance of using the genre as a platform for positive change and to leave their mark on hip-hop's history.


Overall, Elevation serves as a call for artists to resist the pressures of the music industry and to stay true to their roots in hip-hop while using their art to inspire change and elevate consciousness.


Line by Line Meaning

I gotta free my mind
I need to unburden myself of any distractions and negative influences.


From sand docks to auction blocks to R&B
Hip-hop can take inspiration from a variety of genres and experiences, but it should maintain its unique identity.


Signed the dotted line but didn't read through the costs
Many artists are too quick to sign contracts without fully understanding the consequences.


(When your album sits on the desk) "That's when ya lost!"
An artist's success is not guaranteed, and their career can collapse if their album doesn't generate enough interest.


Followed your label's notion no promotion now you're audi
Artists can suffer if their label doesn't invest in promoting their work, leading to obscurity or being dropped.


Emcees fallin victim to financial seduction
Artists can be tempted by the prospect of wealth and fame, but they can end up sacrificing their creative integrity.


Then watchin creative weight extracted, like liposuction
Artists can feel that their unique style and voice is being erased or contorted in order to please commercial interests.


Your A and R like see'n'are got many styles to suit ya
Artists may feel pressured to conform to the preferences of their label's A&R representative despite their artistic vision.


But if it's false to me I've never been an ass smoocher
Artists who retain their artistic principles and refuse to compromise on their vision are more likely to succeed artistically in the long-term.


Since I don't brainwash minds, with talkin nines and How I shoot ya
Artists who avoid glorifying violence and gun culture in their music can have a positive impact on audiences and society.


It seems no multi million dollar contract's In my future
Artists who prioritize their artistic vision may not be rewarded with huge commercial success or high-paying deals.


On a mission from God, to make the conscious souls nod
The purpose of hip-hop should be to inspire and enlighten listeners to deeper thought and meaning.


I'm in the mind state To escalate
Artists who have an unwavering conviction in their message and artistic vision can raise the bar for hip-hop as an art form.


It's fate for rap to elevate
Hip-hop has the potential to grow artistically and reach new heights of inspiration and creativity.


"Other rappers, they went slip slidin away"
Many artists may succumb to commercial pressures or lose their artistic direction, but The Bums aim to stay true to their music.


You got talent and you ain't afraid to splurge hip-hop
Artists should be fearless in exploring new sounds and styles in their music, even at the risk of alienating some fans.


Got verbals like murder, so call on Perry Mason
The power of hip-hop lies in its ability to tell compelling stories and convey vivid imagery and emotion.


Take control, don't be a fuckin fish on a pole
Artists should assert their creative authority and not be passive in the face of commercial pressure or industry trends.


Label's will leave you murdered in a river with no soul
Labels may exploit or discard artists who don't generate enough revenue, leading to a loss of identity and artistic purpose.


B.U.M.S. We leave our mark for hip-hop's devastation
The Bums aim to make a lasting and meaningful impact on hip-hop as a genre, challenging audiences and pushing boundaries.


In our strive to stay alive for my record's elevation
The Bums aim to stay true to their vision while maintaining energy and momentum in their music and career.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF, EVOL ALEXANDER, D'ANGELO SMITH, SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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