Lost & Found
Will Smith Lyrics


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[INTRO]
Original - A first form from which varieties arise
An authentic work of art as opposed to an imitation or reproduction

[CHORUS]
Why should I try to sound like ya'll sound
That's what's wrong with the rap game right now
Man, it's like a circus wit a bunch of clowns
Wit a bunch of clicks I'll probably rap circles around

[VERSE 1]
I spit heatrock and I ain't talking rollin
Soon as the beat knock I'm crowd controlling
When I hear ya'll that a awful sound
I don't ride beats I take them off the ground
Land them somewhere show them the town
Even on foreign ground I let them know I'm around
I don't follow everybody when it's time to rap
At one time everybody thought the world was flat
Sounds like you that was my intention
I paid dues now dudes pay attention
I live for it even though the flicks is hittin'
Cribs sick you can see the booth from the kitchen
Speak on it cause I saw it happen
This is hip hop dawg
I ain't just rappin
Ya'll looking at a real MC
Man you couldn't check a mic for me

[CHORUS]

Why should I try to sound like ya'll sound
That's what's wrong wit the rap game right now
Why should I try to flow the way ya'll flow
Or do a show like ya'll show
Naw that ain't where my head at now
Ya'll in the hip hop lost and found
Man, that's wrong with the rap game right now
It's like a circus wit a bunch of clowns
Wit a bunch of clicks
I'll probably rap circles around

[VERSE 2]
Let's talk about rhyme capability
Let's talk about hip hop versatility
Let's talk about taking the game beyond
Now how the hell we gon have a battle of wits
Trick you ain't armed
Let's talk about love for the game
I mean real love
Back before there was fame
I'm real wit it
I ain't claiming to reign
But when ya'll talk about rap
Ya'll gon start saying my name
For real though I ain't playin
Plenty of ya'll love a brotha just scared to say it
Yo the first ever rap grammy
Let's talk about the only reason yo ass went to Miami
(Yup) truck wit rims (check) throw back jersey (check)
champagne bottles (check) lot's of models (check)
Damn that's the list for 90 percent of ya'll videos and songs
Am I wrong

[CHORUS]

[VERSE 3]
LOST
When you a slave to the biz
Wit no care for the cost of what you sayin to kids
FOUND
Is when ya lyrics are a test of time
And your mom hear that your spirit is blessed divine
LOST
Is when you rhyme til your throat gets sore
But you don't even believe what you say no more
FOUND
Is when you bleed heart into the mic
And the pain you sustain it can change a life
LOST
Is when you hide behind the freedom of speech
While sure you're free to do it
But what it mean to do it
Did you mean to do it
Did you need to do it
Did you take time to think about the seeds you ruined
FOUND Is ESCO, dead PREZ and them
FOUND Is Lauren Hill
FOUND Is Rakim
FOUND Can be you
If you felt the message and ask yourself this questioin





[CHORUS OUT]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Lost & Found by Will Smith speak to his unique perspective within the rap industry. In the opening lines, he sets the tone for the song, suggesting that he is an original artist who creates authentic work, rather than imitating others in the genre. In the chorus, Smith questions why he should try to sound like others in the rap game, arguing that this lack of originality is what's wrong with the industry. He uses the metaphor of a circus to describe the current state of rap music, saying that there are too many clowns and clicks in the genre.


Throughout the verses of the song, Smith emphasizes his unique style and skill as a rapper. He refuses to follow the crowd when it comes to his music, and takes pride in his ability to control a crowd with his words. In the second verse, Smith critiques the lack of love for the game in the rap industry, where many artists seem more concerned with fame and materialism than with creating meaningful music. He emphasizes the importance of using rap as a way to express oneself and make a positive impact on the world.


Overall, the song Lost & Found is a vehicle for Will Smith to express his frustration with the rap industry's lack of originality and excess focus on fame and materialism. He sets himself apart as an artist who values authenticity and using rap as a tool for personal expression and social change.


Line by Line Meaning

A first form from which varieties arise
The original form of something from which different varieties have developed


Why should I try to sound like ya'll sound
Questioning why the singer should try to emulate the sound of others


That's what's wrong with the rap game right now
The singer believes that the problem with the rap game is the lack of originality


Man, it's like a circus wit a bunch of clowns
The current state of the rap game is compared to a circus with many foolish individuals


Wit a bunch of clicks I'll probably rap circles around
The artist is confident in their ability to outperform others who follow trends or popular clicks


I spit heatrock and I ain't talking rollin
The singer boasts about their high-quality lyrics and delivery


Soon as the beat knock I'm crowd controlling
The singer is capable of commanding a crowd with their music


When I hear ya'll, that a awful sound
The artist is not impressed with the music of others


I don't ride beats I take them off the ground
The artist creates their own unique style and beats, rather than following trends


Land them somewhere show them the town
The artist takes their music to new places and showcases their talents


I don't follow everybody when it's time to rap
The singer does not follow the crowd when creating their music


Sounds like you that was my intention
The artist purposefully creates their own sound, rather than copying others


I paid dues now dudes pay attention
The singer has put in the work and deserves recognition for their talent


I live for it even though the flicks is hittin'
The singer is dedicated to their craft, despite facing criticism or negative feedback


Cribs sick you can see the booth from the kitchen
The singer's success and fame has allowed them to build a luxurious home studio


This is hip hop dawg, I ain't just rappin
The artist sees their music as more than just rap, but as a representation of the hip hop culture


Ya'll looking at a real MC
The artist is a true master of ceremonies when it comes to hip hop music


Man you couldn't check a mic for me
The singer is so confident in their lyrical ability that no one could test their skills


That ain't where my head at now
The singer is no longer interested in following trends or copying others


Ya'll in the hip hop lost and found
The current state of hip hop is compared to being lost and then found


Let's talk about rhyme capability
The artist suggests discussing the ability to create strong rhymes


Let's talk about hip hop versatility
The artist suggests discussing the ability to utilize different styles and approaches in hip hop


Let's talk about taking the game beyond
Discussing the need to push the boundaries of hip hop music


Trick you ain't armed
If you're not fully equipped or skilled, then you cannot compete in hip hop


Let's talk about love for the game
The singer suggests discussing the passion for hip hop music


I'm real wit it, I ain't claiming to reign
The singer is authentic in their music and does not claim to be the best


But when ya'll talk about rap, ya'll gon start saying my name
Despite not claiming to be the best, the singer believes they will still be recognized and mentioned in conversations about hip hop


Plenty of ya'll love a brotha just scared to say it
Many people appreciate the artist's music but are too afraid to express it


Let's talk about the only reason yo ass went to Miami
Bringing attention to the shallow reasons why some people are involved in hip hop


Damn that's the list for 90 percent of ya'll videos and songs
Most hip hop music is generic and follows the same formulaic checklist


Am I wrong
The singer questions whether their observation is incorrect


When you a slave to the biz
When someone is trapped in the business of hip hop music and has no control over their creative output


Wit no care for the cost of what you sayin to kids
When someone makes music without considering the impact it may have on young listeners


Is when ya lyrics are a test of time
When someone creates music that will stand the test of time and be respected for years to come


And your mom hear that your spirit is blessed divine
When even the singer's mother is proud and appreciates their music


Is when you rhyme til your throat gets sore
When someone puts in real effort and dedication into their music to create something meaningful


But you don't even believe what you say no more
When someone loses their passion and authenticity for hip hop music


Is when you bleed heart into the mic
When someone puts their heart and soul into their music, creating something truly meaningful


And the pain you sustain it can change a life
Music that is emotionally raw and authentic can inspire and motivate others to make positive changes in their life


Is when you hide behind the freedom of speech
When someone uses the freedom of speech to say whatever they want, regardless of the impact it may have


While sure you're free to do it
Although someone may have the freedom to express themselves however they want, it does not mean they should without consideration


But what it mean to do it, Did you mean to do it
The singer is questioning the intentions behind someone's music and whether they did it purposefully or not


Did you need to do it, Did you take time to think about the seeds you ruined
The singer is questioning whether someone thought through the impact their music will have on others and whether they could have done better


Is ESCO, dead PREZ and them
Referencing well-respected hip hop artists who create authentic and impactful music


Is Lauren Hill
Referencing a well-respected female hip hop artist who creates heartfelt and meaningful music


Is Rakim
Referencing a well-respected hip hop artist who is considered one of the greatest of all time


Found can be you
Implying that anyone can create impactful and authentic music if they put in the effort and are true to themselves


If you felt the message and ask yourself this questioin
Encouraging listeners to reflect on their own music and the impact it may have, and whether they can make a positive change




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD M CISNEROS, LANCE M FANGUY, NOAH DAVID JULIAN GREEN, JOEL E JOHNSON, STEPHEN SUMNERS LIGHT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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